Samuel L. Jackson told the L.A. Times yesterday that he may not play military man Nick Fury in Marvel Studio’s Iron Man 2, suggesting that negotiations broke down over money. "Maybe I won’t be Nick Fury. Maybe somebody else will be Nick Fury ormaybe Nick Fury won’t be in it," Jackson is quoted as saying. "There seems to be an economic crisis inthe Marvel Comics world so [they're saying to me], ‘We’re not makingthat deal.’" If Jackson isn’t cast, it will be the second big-name actor to exit the project; Terrence Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle late last year, a move also attributed, at least in part, to money. Howard has said publicly that Marvel failed to make good on his deal by letting him go, and those with intimate knowledge of the situation have told EW that it was a combination of a huge salary (Howard was the first actor signed to Iron Man and also the highest-paid) as well as the actor’s difficult behavior on the set. (Howard’s publicist says the actor had a "tremendous experience working on Iron Man.”)
As for Jackson, the Times report says a rep for Marvel would not comment on active negotiations — note the word "active" — so this is not a done deal just yet.
More on Iron Man 2:
Iron Man 2: Cheadle in, Howard out
Comic-Con 2008: What’s next for the Iron Man franchise
Director Jon Favreau talks about Iron Man’s success and the sequel plans
Terrence Howard addresses ‘Iron Man 2′ personnel switch
‘Iron Man 2′: Why Terrence Howard was recast
Release dates for Iron Man 2 and other upcoming Marvel movies
Hollywood Insider: Justin Theroux to write Iron Man 2
First Look: Robert Downey Jr. in an extra from the Iron Man DVD
Comments (1-16) of 16 Add your comment
Hasselhoff played Nick Fury in an earlier movie and he would amazing as a replacement of Jackson. He is a great actor and would be perfect for the role. I think he would bring in a big German audience.
I am a Marvel fan, but it is Samuel freakin’ Jackson. He has to say one of his classic lines and it brings money. Maybe you can do the movie without Nick Fury, I have not seen the script. To make a quality movie, don’t be cheap about it. We know you got the money, you talk alot of it from me every week. Just try to make the best movie you can without worrying about money.
This is IRON freaking MAN. I’m sure there are actors that would work practically for free to be involved. Come on Jackson! Your tiny cameo in Iron Man had the fan-people going nuts! But it always comes down to $$$. Grr.
c’mon jackson!! you already have enough money! just do the movie for whatever is given to you and so many people will watch it! being in iron man can totally bring you back, since you have not been in anything that great since star wars!!
The reason it is important to get this locked down is not so much for Iron Man 2 but for the following Avengers movie. That is where Nick Fury will be a more important character. Iron Man 2 can be made without Nick Fury as he is a secondary character when looking specifically at Iron Man. However is he is a main Avenger character so hopefully they figure everything out.
Mayyyybe he could call it a wash for being overpaid on The Spirit? Seriously, he’s in nine movies a year and has plenty of $$$. I can’t imagine he isn’t being offered a resonable rate here.
Give Ving Rhames or Jamie Foxx a call. I’m sure they’ll take a pay cut. Foxx did Stealth for Christ sake!!!
I hope this gets solved replacements arent easy to live with unless the first died, then there is no choice. As long as Robert stays for as long as this franchise goes Im more than happy. But the rest need to get it together.
whooo caaares??? ugghh…of course samuel l jackson wants money. he’s samuel l i do everything jackson. granted, the movie will make an astounding amount and can afford to pay him the likely 10 mil he’s asking for doing nothing, but it’s juts another example of greed. i sau don’t cast him. i don’t think anyone’ll miss him.
AND, you know he’s just telling the la times as a bs threat to marvel. i really hope they call him out and sday no. this kind of behavior is suc bs. sam jackson, get over yourself.
Love Samuel L. Jackson but remember this is the Ultimate Nick Fury. They can go back to the original interpretation. Nick Fury can be played by a white or a black actor. I hope Samuel L. Jackson comes back but honestly Harrison Ford has always been my ideal Nick Fury.
I hope Samuel L. Jackson does this role. His cameo in Iron Man was awesome!
*reads all previous comments*
Hmm, I don’t think i’ve ever seen the words “Hasselhoff” and “great actor” remotely close to each other before.
Wasn’t there talk of an Avengers movie?
If Jackson pulls out, that would effect future movies featuring The Avengers, Thor, or any of the other members. This is a big deal if those movies get made with several characters as Nick Fury.
Fight for that money- you could be set for movies for the next decade.
Don’t mess up this great Marvel Comics movie by making Samuel Jackson “Nick Fury”. Clearly, Fury was a hard *zz caucasian from one of the elite military fighting serives. The producers should try to stay close the true print of the comic and how the character is displayed in all of the Marvel comic series. S. Jackson makes a great “Nick Fury” operative-maybe second in command- but he’s not the ideal actor for Fury. I say he should be written in as an operative for Nick Fury and was acting on behalf of Fury elite fighting crew in the cameo in made for the 1st Iron Man. This is a great idea and S. Jackson should not be so greedy because there are a lot of people and actors that would take the kind of money he’s turning down at current negotiations. The movie will be great and a hit with or without him. So, Samuel J., wisen up man. Recast as an operative and pocket the dough. ‘Nuff said.
Don’t mess up this great Marvel Comics movie by making Samuel Jackson “Nick Fury”. Clearly, Fury was a hard tailed caucasian from one of the elite military fighting serives. The producers should try to stay close the true print of the comic and how the character is displayed in all of the Marvel comic series. S. Jackson makes a great “Nick Fury” operative-maybe second in command- but he’s not the ideal actor for Fury. I say he should be written in as an operative for Nick Fury and was acting on behalf of Fury elite fighting crew in the cameo in made for the 1st Iron Man. This is a great idea and S. Jackson should not be so greedy because there are a lot of people and actors that would take the kind of money he’s turning down at current negotiations. The movie will be great and a hit with or without him. So, Samuel J., wisen up man. Recast as an operative and pocket the dough. ‘Nuff said.