Samuel L. Jackson says that the strongest connection with a group of actors he’s worked with comes from his role in The Hateful Eight. The Quentin Tarantino directed film brought together a formidable group, including Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, and Bruce Dern. The film followed the group as they were stuck in a haberdashery in the middle of a blizzard. Tensions rise as each member of the group realizes they have a bone to pick with each other. Typical Tarantino mayhem ensues.
Jackson has starred in a number of Tarantino films, with the director being one of his most frequent collaborators. Jackson has a long and storied career, though, one where he’s worked with a number of different groups multiple times. Jackson played Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequels. In what is maybe his most popular role in recent years, Jackson played SHIELD director Nick Fury in the MCU, appearing in multiple films to support the heroes.
In an acceptance speech for the Legends of Cinema Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival (via EW), Jackson detailed the bond between the group, dubbed “The Haters.” Jackson says it’s the closest bond of actors from any film in his career, surpassing his work in the MCU and Star Wars films. He went on to say the group had a text chain where they keep up with each other to this day:
The haters from Hateful Eight, we have a chain where we still text each other every week to say where are you, what are you doing, or we’re commenting on the political situation. That’s the strongest cinematic connection I’ve ever had.
Jackson has worked closely with Tarantino throughout his career and done some of his best work with the director. It’s no surprise that a collaboration with Tarantino would elicit these feelings from him. Considering the fact that The Hateful Eight takes place largely in one setting, the actors would have been cooped up together in that location throughout the duration of the shoot. This could have contributed to their closeness.
Surprising to fans, though, might be the fact that his favorite group isn't the one from the MCU or Star Wars universe. Despite appearing in the three prequel films, Jackson's role as Mace Windu was relatively smaller compared to the rest of the cast and that could be why he didn't necessarily bond with them as much as 'The Haters'. Additionally, while Jackson's role in the MCU as Nick Fury spans multiple films, the focus on his character is rather sporadic. However, that's all set to change when Jackson reprises the role in a Disney+ series centered on Nick Fury. Whatever happens, though, and whichever cast members return for the Disney+ series, it seems as if the cast of The Hateful Eight will remain a top tier group for Jackson.
Source: SCAD Savannah Film Festival (via EW)