J.K. Simmons Signed On For Spider-Man Sequels

J.K. Simmons, famous for his role as Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson, has confirmed he is signed on for upcoming Spider-Man sequels.

The 65-year-old made an unexpected post-credits appearance in Spider-Man: Far From Home and is signed on for forthcoming films; however, that doesn't necessarily mean we will see him in the films, as the studio is under no obligation to use him.

PA

Asked by Entertainment Weekly if we could expect to see him in Spider-Man sequels, he said: "I don't know if I would use the word 'expect'. When we signed on for the first movie we signed a contract to do two sequels as well.

"That's always a one-sided - well not always, but in my case - a one-sided contract where you're committed to do it but they're not necessarily committed to use your character in the ensuing movies.

"So it's great to have the opportunity, as these things evolve, to be one of the holdovers from the previous version."

It sounds then like Simmons will have to wait for the phone to ring - which he was made to do on Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man film. Despite having worked with the director on two previous occasions, Simmons said he had to a 'nerve-wracking' audition to win over execs.

He said: "The producers and the people at Sony, they needed to be convinced, because obviously, there were a lot of much more high-profile actors that they had in mind that would help with the box office. It was very nerve-wracking.

"It included a scene where the Green Goblin breaks through the windows and picks me up by the throat, lifts me up in the air, and is strangling me.

"I'm holding the script pages, reading the scene on the audition, but then at the same time, trying to... pretending I'm being lifted by the neck and choked."

You'd think Simmons would be used to a bit of lifting, though. A few years back, a pic of him pumping iron in the gym (and looking pretty hench, it must be said) went viral.

Discussing the snap in an interview with Business Insider, he said: "After the second and final time that I got hugely fat in my life and when I lost that weight six or seven years ago, I pretty much decided that I was going to stay in decent shape for the rest of my life."

Fair play - got to stay shredded to keep the Green Goblin at bay.

Topics: TV and Film

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey