Jeffrey Wright Addresses Jim Gordon’s Absence in ‘The Penguin’

Jeffrey Wright Addresses Jim Gordon's Absence in 'The Penguin'

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of the Batman universe, I must say that “The Penguin” series was a delightful addition to the ever-expanding DC Elseworlds project. While I admit to being somewhat perplexed by the absence of Jeffrey Wright‘s Jim Gordon and Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight during the show’s run, I understand the logic behind their exclusion.


The series, nearly flawless within the realm of The Batman, left many questioning the whereabouts of Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight as Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone battled for control over Gotham’s criminal underworld. Yet, another significant figure from Batman’s world was absent during the series’ events: Jim Gordon, portrayed by Jeffrey Wright.

Currently, the actor has clarified his absence from the series, citing legal matters and similar issues. It appears that despite being unaware of Jim Gordon’s actions, Wright understands that there was a straightforward explanation for his non-appearance in the 10-episode run. In an interview with Inverse, Wright explained:

I wasn’t mentioned for the first season. As for Season 2, time will tell. For now, I have plenty on my plate already.

This statement doesn’t provide additional clarity about Gordon’s actions, and it keeps his character in a similar ambiguous state like Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne and his vigilante persona. They seemed unnecessary for the plot, so Matt Reeves and his team chose not to incorporate them into the spinoff, which is essentially the reason behind their absence.

‘The Penguin’ Told Its Story and Leaves a Trail to ‘The Batman – Part II’

Jeffrey Wright Addresses Jim Gordon's Absence in 'The Penguin'Jeffrey Wright Addresses Jim Gordon's Absence in 'The Penguin'Jeffrey Wright Addresses Jim Gordon's Absence in 'The Penguin'

The idea of interconnected TV shows and movies would have been laughed at just several years ago, but now there are a number of major franchises branching out in such a way, and Matt Reeves DC Elseworlds project is just one of them. According to The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc, there was always a conscious thought about leading the story into Reeves’ next movie. Le Franc told Entertainment Weekly:

“I ask, ‘Is there anything I can contribute for Matt Reeves in terms of planting something or helping with his movie? We have the space to do so.’

However, one thing that is not certain is that the series will return for a second season. While Wright would consider making an appearance as Jim Gordon, there is a long way to go before any thought is seriously given to continuing the story, presumably after the events of The Batman – Part II. LeFranc explained:

What truly matters is our ability to genuinely earn whatever comes next. Revisiting means maintaining the high standards we’ve set. I assure you, none of us are interested in merely repeating ourselves. Instead, we yearn to return and create something exceptional. That’s what we’re discussing now. We have faith that there’s potential for greatness within it, but the journey has just begun. It’s certainly intriguing, and deeply satisfying.

Given the immense popularity of “The Penguin”, it seems a new season is well deserved. However, it’s worth noting that Colin Farrell’s Gotham gangster character may appear in the upcoming Batman film, which could impact his future appearances on TV. The outcome of his encounter with The Batman will significantly decide if we see him back on our screens again.

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2024-11-26 03:35