From Joss Whedon to J.K. Simmons, over the years a great number of creators have traded Marvel for DC (and vice versa, of course), with Brian Michael Bendis being the latest to trade one comic book giant for another.
Whedon, on the other hand, walked away from Marvel Studios after delivering two Avengers movies in only three years, while J.K. Simmons was cast as Commissioner Jim Gordon just as Justice League was beginning to coalesce. It’s by no means the first time that the Oscar-winning Simmons has dipped his toe in Hollywood’s crowded superhero genre, though – long before the formation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor played the part of J. Jonah Jameson for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies.
With his notorious temper and brilliant comic timing, J.J. Jameson was undoubtedly one of the greatest components of the Raimi trilogy, and it seems Simmons is not opposed to reprising that iconic role should the opportunity arise.
As Sony’s Spider-Man universe begins to fall into place – Venom, for instance, is now filming in anticipation of a 2018 release – Entertainment Tonight quizzed J.K. Simmons about the possibility of circling back to the Daily Bugle and reprising as the fast-talking Jameson.
I never say never. I mean, you know, obviously I had an amazing time with Sam Raimi on those movies, and Tobey [Maguire] and everybody. That was a great great time, and huge for my career and my life, and just pure fun. If there were an opportunity to revisit that…. I don’t know, though… how old is Spider-Man going to be if J. Jonah Jameson is this old?
It’s a second coming that comic book fans have been crying out for, but at least based on the current climate, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario in which J.K. Simmons returns to the Spider-Man camp at some point in the future. Heck, the only reason Marc Webb didn’t feature J. Jonah Jameson in his Amazing Spider-Man series was to honor Simmons’ beloved performances, so perhaps it’s best if this long-requested return remains in the realm of wishful thinking.