Jeffrey Wright has recently issued a forceful rejoinder to the onslaught of criticism aimed at his portrayal of Jim Gordon in 'The Batman.' The star of 'American Fiction' lambasted certain critics who believed that a Black actor was unsuitable to embody the leader of Gotham's police force. In an interview with Collider, Jeffrey scathingly described the backlash as "the utmost foolishness," devoid of "any semblance of logic."
The 'Westworld' actor found the conversation surrounding "Black characters in such roles" to be "intriguing" yet deeply flawed. "It's blatantly racist and utter nonsense," declared the 59-year-old with conviction. Wright emphasized, "This blindness reveals a failure to acknowledge that the evolution of these films mirrors the societal evolution." He further explained, "To detach this franchise from the cultural reality of 1939, when the comic books were first published, is to defile its very essence," adding his perspective as an actor known for his role in 'Shaft.'
Wright shared that the enduring appeal of Batman as an "indispensable character in popular culture" stems from his creation as an open-ended figure, affording future storytellers the "liberty to impart their unique twist on the Caped Crusader." He expressed, "I feel a deep connection to these stories, as much as anyone else. Perhaps now, more than ever, as I am part of them, I have the greatest stake in their continuation."
Noting the success and longevity of these "stories and characters," Wright attributed them to the boundless imagination and creativity that fueled their inception. Meanwhile, the actor is set to reprise his role in Matt Reeves' sequel, 'The Batman: Part II,' which is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027.
