‘[I’m] Trying To Wrap My Brain Around That’: J.K. Simmons Recalls His Reaction To J. Jonah Jameson Changes For Spider-Man: Far From Home

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the Marvel multiverse, I can confidently say that the MCU’s decision to bring back beloved actors like J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson is nothing short of genius. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of these characters and the skillful storytelling of the MCU team.

Thanks to exploring the Marvel multiverse, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had the opportunity to re-introduce several actors from earlier Marvel productions as alternate versions of their characters. For instance, Patrick Stewart played Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Kelsey Grammer portrayed Beast in The Marvels, and Hugh Jackman appeared in Deadpool and Wolverine – the latest films within the Marvel series. In 2019, it was a fresh twist when J.K. Simmons returned to play the MCU’s version of J. Jonah Jameson in the mid-credits scene of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Though excited to resume the character he had previously portrayed in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series, Simmons was puzzled when informed about the alterations being implemented for this new iteration of Jameson.

During an interview with GQ, Simmons reminisced about his professional journey, starting with his stint on Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man 3. He particularly fondly remembered the middle film, which made our list of top movies from the 2000s. He then shared his reaction when Marvel Studios offered him the role of J. Jonah Jameson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a part that was proposed immediately following the principal shoot for Far From Home. As he recounted:

The film had been completed, and it’s unclear who initially suggested adding J. Jonah Jameson to the mix, whether it was Amy Pascal, Jon Watts, or someone else. But when they proposed the idea, I was immediately intrigued. They mentioned that we wouldn’t be using the flattop hairdo, mustache, and cigar – which seemed ridiculous to me since those are such iconic parts of the character. However, they explained that my portrayal felt like it belonged in a different era, and they were updating the franchise, making Jameson a modern media mogul rather than a newspaper man. I struggled to comprehend this new direction, but they reassured me that my performances had been excellent and fit well with the period aspect of the story.

Instead of restating J. Jonah Jameson, Jon Watts, director of the Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland, mentioned in 2019 that no talks took place about anyone other than J.K. Simmons playing the role. In this universe, Jameson manages TheDailyBugle.net, a website known for sensationalist news instead of a newspaper. He showcased manipulated footage attributed to Mysterio’s associates that falsely accused Holland’s Spidey for the London Elemental attack and exposed his true identity. Simmons was taken aback by the modern changes made to Jameson, but he ultimately agreed to film a short scene. Later, Simmons added:

A couple of days after our initial plan, we filmed the scene in someone’s office rather than on a traditional stage. It was a quick production, and it seemed like they didn’t have time to create a wig for the actor. Given the circumstances, it might have been necessary. I proposed maintaining the character’s original hair color, mustache, and cigar, arguing that it was the same character and retained the same vibe. The team agreed enthusiastically, so we made this compromise. I plan to ask them about this decision someday, but I suspect they might not openly admit it.

After appearing in “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, more scenes featuring J. Jonah Jameson talking about Spider-Man were shown in the movies “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” and the web series “The Daily Bugle”, and J.K. Simmons had a slightly larger role in “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Simmons has previously discussed his efforts to keep Jameson’s mustache and cigar, and while the mustache remains, we haven’t seen him smoking the cigar yet. Perhaps if he returns for “Spider-Man 4” (which Jon Watts is not expected to direct), some time could be set aside for him to light up a cigar. Simmons also speculates about the MCU’s Jameson being bald due to a lack of time to create a wig, but this point seems irrelevant now as it’s unlikely they will change his appearance.

With a Disney+ subscription, you have the chance to rewatch J.K. Simmons’ cameo in Spider-Man: Far From Home. On the other hand, Spider-Man: No Way Home is available for streaming on Starz. To learn more about upcoming Marvel movies and television shows, take a look at our guides highlighting the future of the MCU.

2024-08-15 05:07

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