Jeffrey Wright Sees The Batman As the Next Evolution of the Character

Jeffrey Wright is looking forward to his role in The Batman, saying he sees it as “the next evolution” of the DC Comics character. Wright appeared on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show and talked about the Matt Reeves-directed film, which will see him play James Gordon.

“My take is — the way I explain what we’re doing is, like with any film, we’re working together to create a mood, to create an idea, a setting, a tone,” Wright explained (per JoBlo). “This is the next evolution since 1939 when these stories began … This is the next evolution of Gotham. So I am working off the stage (director) Matt [Reeves] is providing and also working off what (star) Robert [Pattinson] is doing. We are trying to create something together that is our own, but is also Batman.”

He also talked about the new Batmobile, noting, “I read the script for the Batmobile and I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s it.’ (Bruce Wayne) created the most badass muscle car you could imagine, but it’s grounded in Gotham. It’s grounded in Americana.”

The film is directed by Matt Reeves and stars Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Wright as Commissioner Gordon, Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as the Riddler, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Colin Farrell as Penguin, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, as well as Jayme Lawson and Peter Sarsgaard. Production is currently on pause, with the currently-scheduled release date as October 1st, 2021.