Back in 2005, or so, when we learned that Gary Oldman would be taking on the role of Commissioner Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, we were furious. “What?!” we all simultaneously exclaimed. “What about Neil Hamilton? You know, Neil Hamilton from the ’60s television series.” Just kidding — most of us were excited because Gary Oldman is one of the world’s finest actors. Yahoo Movies had the opportunity to sit down with Oldman and he talked about the admiration he has for Batman’s police-force ally.

“The thing you’ve just got to get used to with Gordon is he’s a really sound detective, first of all,” he told us. “And he’s really incorruptible, which is a kind of wonderful quality to play and sort of, like, true blue.”

With the DC Cinematic Universe starting up, a new set of Batman players have entered the stage. We have already met Ben Affleck as Batman and Jeremy Irons as Alfred. When Justice League: Part One comes to theaters, we’ll meet Neil Hamilton — sorry, wishful thinking — we’ll meet J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. Simmons is an Academy Award winner, so he hardly needs advice on how to play the part. Still, he might glean some inspiration from what Oldman thinks the proper approach is.

“He’s like a Watson, oddly,” Oldman said. “He’s sort of like Watson to Sherlock, is Gordon to Batman.” When Oldman learned that Simmons was succeeding him in the role, he said, “God bless him. That’s what I say, yeah.”

Only time will tell what Simmons will bring to the part. Will he have the weariness that Oldman brought? The blue-collar approach that Pat Hingle did? The boyish good looks of Ben McKenzie? Or all the all-around excellence that Neil Hamilton brought?

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Are you excited about Simmons? Sad to see Oldman leave the role? Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram — or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Khail Anonymous, on Twitter.