J.K.Simmons was Vern Schillinger in the show Oz, J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, and is now set to be in Terminator: Genesis. I am most familiar with Simmons as Peter Parker’s boss in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies. In those movies Simmons plays a jerk. While in Oz; Simmons plays a cruel person. And cruel is an understatement.
The only clear things that are known about Simmons’ character is that he’s playing a cop that is ‘too old for this shit’, is a drunk, and has been following a case involving Sarah Connor since 1984. If Sarah Connor isn’t in place to ask the viewer’s questions, which is an important character type in science fiction. then Simmons can be there for that role.
The role he’s rumored to play is Hal Vukovich. For any newcomers to the Terminator franchise, Hal is a police officer in The Terminator who was originally portrayed by Lance Henriksen. He is presumed dead after the Terminator attacks the police station where Kyle Reese is being held.
It will be interesting to see what is done if J.K. Simmons plays Hal Vukovich and if Hal gets a bigger part. Maybe seeing what is done with Hal will make up for any of the movie’s downfalls.
Known Fact: If J.K. Simmons is playing Hal it will be in 2017 looking back on the events of 1984. A younger actor will portray J.K. Simmons in the year 1984 in the movie.