‘Very Flattering’: Ben McKenzie Names ICONIC Batman Character In Gotham Specifically Written For Him

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As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for the behind-the-scenes stories of Hollywood, I must say it’s fascinating to learn about the intricate connections between artists and their roles. The tale of Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin’s journey on Gotham is a perfect example.

Ben McKenzie is well-known for portraying James ‘Jim’ Gordon in the TV series Gotham, which ran from 2014 to 2019. He also lent his voice to various DC Universe projects, solidifying his reputation within the franchise. Interestingly, it seems that show creator Bruno Heller anticipated this success, as he wrote certain parts of Gordon with Ben McKenzie in mind!

In an interview at Fan Expo Canada with Collider, actors Mckenzie and Morena Baccarin (who played Dr. Lee Thompkins on the prequel series) discussed their experiences on the show. McKenzie mentioned receiving a call from Heller, who said, “I’ve written the role of Gordon specifically for you, which was quite complimentary.”

McKenzie looked back at the tense days leading up to the filming, remembering them as nerve-racking yet thrilling. “It’s a challenging role,” he admitted, “given the significant impact of the Gotham P.D. commissioner in the Batman universe and the impressive actors like Gary Oldman, JK Simmons, and Jeffrey Wright who have played it before.”

Following McKenzie sharing insights from working on Gotham sets, Baccarin too added her thoughts and discussed the development of her character throughout the series. She portrayed Dr. Lee Thompkins, a character who worked at Arkham Asylum’s psychiatric ward. This intriguing role will be seen in the highly anticipated sequel to The Joker.

The actress reminisced about how much her character transformed throughout the series, finding it fascinating. Initially appearing in comics back in 1976, her character underwent significant changes as the show progressed. At the outset, she had no clue about the longevity or specific role of her character within the storyline, making its development all the more exciting for her.

Initially, Lee wasn’t significantly involved in the narrative; however, after marrying Gordon and taking on the role of Barbara Gordon’s stepmother, she eventually evolved into a crucial element of the story. Baccarin further explained, “Once Lee became integral to the plot, it was important to find a way for her character to have her own independent role beyond Jim [Gordon].”

She reminisced about feeling like a “misfit” and managing a city, discovering a mysterious aspect of urban life as quite intriguing. She concluded by saying that the conclusion was equally captivating, adding to her sentiment.

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2024-08-26 00:52