January 14, 2009 | by Bruce Simmons 

Samuel Jackson Priced Out of Nick Fury Role?

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick FurySamuel Jackson is not happy. Negotiations with Marvel for his continuing role as Nick Fury have broken down due to money issues.

As it stands, Nick Fury has shown up at the end of Iron Man, and there are were plans for his appearance in Iron Man 2, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers.

Suspicions are that Jackson was angling for a bigger payday, but the policy is that Marvel does not comment on active negotiations. So it’s all just speculation right now, though it seems that Marvel does want to see Jackson in the role.

We’ve already seen money possibly be the issue with Don Cheadle taking over Terrence Howard’s role of Rhodey / War Machine in Iron Man 2. Marvel also has to look to the future of how much it  might cost them to place key actors in key roles and then have them all come together in what may be one very expensive Avengers flick. Heck, they’ve already got to pay for Downey Jr., (possibly) Edward Norton and whoever else they tag to play Thor and Captain America. When you look at that kind of math, you have to wonder who else they can afford to fill out the supporting roles. All I know is that The Avengers better be something epic, becuase as costly as the project is already looking, Marvel is going to have a hard time turning any kind of profit from the film.

Meanwhile, Jackson is maintaining his usual cool. As he put it, either someone else will be playing Nick Fury (despite the role being written for Jackson), or Fury won’t even be in the films. Maybe they can get David Hasselhoff to reprise his 1998 role as Nick Fury on the cheap! OK, that was a terrible joke and it’s late. I apologize.

How do you feel about the idea that Jackson may not play Fury in upcoming Avengers films? I for one will not be happy if this negotiation falls apart.

Source: LA Times,

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Tags: avengers, captain america, iron man 2,

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  • MOJO
    SOunds cool, maybe they can be putting the proper Fury back in the film cause none of the actors so far look like any of the characters in the comic.
  • The Great 1
    I think they should do away with S. Jackson.... yes he is a great actor and he is in every movie. It gets tiring to see the same people in like 10 different movies in the same year... i know im not the only one that feels this way. Come on just take a break dude. Go from snakes on a plane, to jumper to The spirit to Iron Man, i wont be surprised if i see him in spiderman 4
  • mr patron
    Samuel Jackson is a great actor, yes actor. Meaning his character may play a white man hater sometimes but it doesn't mean he is. He fits the part well as a Nick Fury and so does Lawrence Fishbourn but not Will Smith. I love Will as an actor but not as Nick Fury. White or black I can't wait to see the avengers.
  • @T-Money & Anthony

    You guys need to relax. The Nick Fury character in the movies is based on the Ultimates version of the character - who was modeled after... Sam Jackson.

    Vic
  • Dawn
    And when were these comics you refer to written? When there were still white and colored water fountains/bathrooms etc. You don't want to be portrayed as a racist yet what you are saying is very much so. Obama has nothing to do with it since I'm sure IM1 was well into production and all before his candidacy was even announced. Marvel knows what they are doing with casting over a couple ppl who want a white Nick Fury. They picked who they thought was best and from what I've read it seems like others (comic book fans and non-comic book fans alike) are rather pleased to see Sam L. as Nick Fury and are anxious to see him reprise his role.

    I agree with the rest of you level headed people...Laurence Fishburne would def be my next choice and Denzel after that (he plays such a good bad guy)

    Would never chose Will Smith as Capt America though...he doesn't even play a drunken superhero that well.
  • FR0G
    when i hear Samuel L Jackson is goin to be in a movie, it almost makes me not want to see it.Snakes on a plane, 1408, lakeview terrace, and the list of crap movies goes on. last good movie i ssen him in was the star wars trilogy.if he wants the big bucks, i think he has to prove himself as a worthy actor once again. maybe he wants more money because he is unable to hate white people in this role. 90% of his films, he plays the white man hater. as for him in ironman 2.....well, another person suggested Laurence Fishburne and i totally agree. Im a huge will smith fan and i think he could fit the character too, on a not so serious role. Downey jr made me laugh, i think those 2 would be a good combo.
  • mtzbk
    funny you should say that i was thinking the same thing except my version was the black one was a life model decoy lol
  • zr122
    I say let Mr. Jackson go. He could be good for the movies, but I can't help but think of Snakes on a Plane and Jumper. He's not that great of an icon. I say grab an actor who can play a white Fury, although not necessarily Clint Eastwood. And before people start getting crabby and calling me a racist, in comics, games, and cartoons, Nick Fury has been portayed as both an African-American individual and a straight American. I say bring Fury back white, and have Tony Stark quiz him on the sudden change of skin color. It'd make for an amusing scene at the very least.
  • mtzbk
    true true they change the comic story enough to make it appealing for people who dont read comics, which is usually hell as it is, but common at least give the true fans something as simple as the actual character, not some bs remake for the movies to pull in fans the black nick fury is ok because he was the ultimates one, but will smith , regardless of skill, as cap would not be ok..... maybe as the patriot :-P
  • T-money
    I know, lets re-cast the Joker with Samuel Jackson, that wouldent be retarted or anything.
  • Anthony
    Or maybe a Black Batman, or Spiderman?
  • Anthony
    AMEN.... Whats NEXT, A black HULK?
  • T-money
    WHY THE HELL DO YOU WANT A BLACK MAN TO PLAY NICK FURY? Let me clue you all in on something... HE WAS A WHITE MAN!!!!!!
    And as far a asking or wanting Will Smith to play Captain America, yes he is a very gifted actor, But Captain America was... you guessed it, A WHITE MAN AS WELL. DUH people... keep it to the roots of the comics. You would think everyone has Obama fever or something. What The Hell... Some please help me make sence of all this. Why do you all want BLACK MEN TO PLAY WHITE MEN? I just dont get it, or understand it. YOU HAVE BLAD, Black Panther, A few X-men, some DC guys are black, like GREAN LANTERN and such. I grew up on these peoiple as my HEROES, dont chang them on me PLEASE!
  • Dre
    You want a Samuel Jackson replacement.....?
    two words: Laurence Fishburn
  • Ant Man
    Here's an opportunity for Marvel and these multi-millionaire actors to give back to their fans and they are BLOWING IT. I don't know the amount that Sam Jack is asking for, but this is a movie that people will probably talk about for the next 20yrs. I was disgusted when I heard about the recasting of Rhodes--now Sam Jack won't return as Nick Fury? I give up...
  • Zibe
    I think that marvel might have bitten off a little bit more than they can chew with the Avengers concept. The multi-movie collaboration is a great idea but marvel needs a more steady back bone before they attempt something of this magnitude. It has the makings of something great, but I think they might have dug there own grave with this project. I hope as much as anybody that all the movies are block busters, but lets be realistic there are not many big name actors that will put there paychecks on the line fo the sake of comic book legends.
  • mtzbk
    to freemoon,

    good point they have only just barely started to put out full blown movies in a row, and it is going to be really hard to turn a profit due to the amount of star power they are using but hopefully that will get people in the seats enough so that there is a huge profit to continue production of more marvel movies.
    The actors just need to help out a bit by not being greedy but i guess well just have to keep our fingers crossed, you're definitely right about don cheadle he is a great actor and a very good choice, I cant wait to see him in action.
  • freemoon
    First off Terrence Howard change was mandatory. He get paid in Iron Man almost same as Robert Downey jr. Marvel learned a lesson and when he ask more they changed him. I couldn't blame Marvel. Don Cheadle great in supporting role anyway.

    As we already know that Marvel made just two (the incredible hulk and iron man) movies so far. Since they are new in this business (as studio of course) they need to make more money before spend em away.
  • cable19
    After reading this all I can say is, as grreat an actor as he is, screw Sam Jackson.I could go on a long rant here but to sum it up the comic fans for the most part get kicked in the nuts by the movie adaptations.So if sam jackson says no the captain from deep space 9 will probably go for it or if they want a white Fury they I can see Dennis Quiad
  • mtzbk
    Since Marvel is going towards more of a blend between the Ultimates and the Real Marvel universe I think that Sam is a good choice for the role, but after reading all of the posts on this page there are a lot of good points being made like budget, it is going to be hard to fill all the roles with mega stars which in turn mean they might give the roles of Thor or even Cap to small timers which would be in the shadow of the big boys like Robert Downey or Ed Norton. And in all honesty Cap should be the getting most of the lime light in Avengers. As far as Fury goes....Sam or Marvel better not screw this one up, its gonna be either a big sucess or a big flop
  • 1/23
    Forgive me for being 'Old School' people, but a-la Donner's choice of "new comer" Reeves for Superman, I'd like to see MY Captain America played by an actor WITHOUT a bunch of previous "movie character baggage" (that goes for Fury as well... Sorry, but Sam Jackson will ALWAYS be "Jules" to me!)

    With that said... Please-oh-Please Marvel! PLEASE consider JOSH HOPKINS for Captain America!!!!!!!

    Just take a look for yourself and envision him in the suit!

    http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0005020/

    Not too mention this guy is one HELL-OF-AN Actor!
  • huntthejest
    If Jackson's out, Kurt Russell. 100%. Tell me Fury does not= Snake Plissken. And you know Russell could use the work, since the only movies he's done recently were Grindhouse(dear God) and that Disney thing(decent, but this is Kurt Russell) and since I doubt they'll be putting him in the Thing prequel or make a sequel to Tango and Cash(holy hell, I could be running the studios!) he won't mind the low-balling of Marvel.
  • Anthony
    By the way, Same jackson is not even that good of an actor if you ask me. Have you seen S.O.A.Plane or XXX? He Sucked!
  • Anthony
    I still cant belive they even want to fill the role of Nick Fury with Sam Jackson. Come on People!!!! Nick was a White guy... Keep it that way. Get some one like H.Jackmen or something. Keep it true to the storey line. I have been a fan for so long... I for one will never see another Marvel Movie if they sell out and get another Black Man to Play a White Guy. Just because Obama is in the White House does not mean we have to start Placeing Black men in more Leading roles that were ment to be white Guys. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • JessSayin'
    I thought it a stroke of genius to see Nick Fury walk out of the shadows and it be Jackson, a black guy, playing a character that was always a white guy.
    Especially since Iron Man later on IS a black guy replacing Stark inside the suit.

    Samuel needs to get off his high horse and jump on the bandwagon.
    They dumped Howard cuz' he was getting paid more than Downey Jr. and Paltrow.
    They can do the same to Jackson.
  • INK
    I agree, Bruce Willis would be awesome!
  • Metallicat79
    @Adrian
    I like the list, however, I am unfamliar with the charactor portrayal in the comics, so i can't really comment on it. But I think it wuld be cool to see Bruce Wllis with the eye patch.
  • Adrian
    My list of Sam Jackson's very unfortune replacement:
    1: Lawrence Fishburne
    2: Kurt Russell
    3: Bruce Willis
    4: Bill Dukes
    5: Morgan Freeman
    6: Densel Washington
    7: Keith David
    8: Wesley Snipes
    9: Russell Crowe
    10: Richard Roundtree
  • Adrian
    @Metallicat79

    Total agree, they need a happy medium.
    I'm starting to compare IM franchise to Ocean's franchise, but IM franchise has vastly more FX to add to the cost of the films. IMHO, if Sam 'the man' Jackson can't play with the big kids because he's to special, then replace him with someone of his caliber. Unwisely, Howard thought he couldn't be replace and now he's been replace by Don Cheadle. Cheadle KNOWS how to be a team player, being that he's been in all the Ocean's film. The very wise Don Cheadle will probably get his on War Machine spin-off and vastly multiple both his fame and fortune!
    Also, if Sam can do films like 'Snake on a Plane','The Spirit', and 'The Man' then he can respectfully take a small cut to be involved on a soon to be HUGE franchise and most likely get his on franchise to boot,Boo-yah.
  • captain menace
    why cant the avengers run themselves like they do in the best era of the avenger comics (the 70s) i have all of the comics and fury just doesnt show up in many at all.
    usually thor or captain america or the vision run the show.
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