SOUTHLAND’s Ben McKenzie Will Play James Gordon In GOTHAM

Fox has found the man that will one day become one of Batman’s most important allies. Ben McKenzie, star of Southland and The O.C., will play Detective James Gordon in the upcoming prequel TV series Gotham. Gordon is described as “an idealistic rookie detective for Gotham City Open Police Department’s Homicide Squad, a former college football star and a war hero.” McKenzie previously voiced Batman in the animated adaptation of Batman: Year One.

Gotham is set to focus not only on Gordon’s early years in the Gotham City Police Department, but the origins of other classic Batman characters, such as Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, the Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman. Donal Logue was also recently offered the part of Detective Harvey Bullock, but it’s unknown whether he accepted it. The series is said to be separate from any cinematic universe that DC Comics and Warner Bros. are trying to build. The series will be written and executive produced by Rome creator Bruno Heller, with Danny Connon as director.

I haven’t seen any of McKenzie’s work, but he already has experienced in the fictional police world playing Ben Sherman on Southland, so I’m sure he’ll do well playing Gordon. Deadline noted that McKenzie has spent his entire TV career with Warner Bros. TV since he was cast in The O.C. in 2003. I guess when you have a guy who has worked with you for so long and has experience playing a cop, he’s your best bet for playing the most famous comic book police officer of all time. Let’s just hope he can grow out a great mustache.

SOURCE: Deadline