In a fascinating revelation, Samuel L. Jackson shared a piece of advice he received from Bruce Willis during their collaboration on the 1994 blockbuster "Die Hard With a Vengeance." Willis imparted wisdom that has resonated deeply with Jackson over the years, advice that would shape his career trajectory in an unexpected way.
Speaking to Vanity Fair in a special tribute to Willis' 70th birthday, Jackson recounted Willis' words: "Hopefully you’ll be able to find a character that, when you make bad movies and they don’t make any money, you can always go back to this character everybody loves." Willis highlighted the iconic roles that have defined the careers of other action stars, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator, Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Rambo, and his own John McClane. Jackson initially didn't grasp the full impact of this advice until he landed the role of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Jackson made his debut as Nick Fury in a post-credits scene in 2008's "Iron Man." He then fully embraced the character in "Iron Man 2" in 2010. Since then, Jackson has reprised the role in an impressive total of 10 films, three TV series, and two video games. His most recent portrayals include the 2023 film "The Marvels," the series "Secret Invasion," and a voice role in the Season 2 finale of the animated series "Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur."
In a humorous reflection on his nine-picture deal with Marvel, Jackson shared with GQ in September 2024 his initial concerns about completing the contract before his time ran out. "I knew I had a nine-picture deal when Kevin [Feige] said, 'We wanna offer you a nine-picture deal.' I was like, 'How long I gotta stay alive to make nine movies?'" He was surprised by the rapid pace at which Marvel produced these films, noting, "It's not the quickest process in the world and people don't do it, so I didn't know they were gonna make nine movies in like two-and-a-half years. Which is kind of crazy. I was like, 'Oh s—t, I'm using up my contracts!' but it worked out."
Jackson's journey with Nick Fury illustrates the foresight of Willis' advice and underscores the importance of having a beloved character to return to, ensuring a lasting impact in the entertainment industry.
