Before Samuel L. Jackson assumed the role of Nick Fury, the ultimate spy and diplomat in the MCU, there was Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. It was a TV movie adaptation of the comic book, David Hasselhoff, famous for roles in Knight Rider and Baywatch, played the super-spy.
Originally planned to serve as the groundwork for a Hasselhoff-led TV show, the TV movie marked the debut of the first-ever live-action portrayal of the spy. It also stood as one of David S. Goyer’s earlier contributions to the comic book genre.
David S. Goyer Skipped Nick Fury Movie To Join Christopher Nolan
The TV movie got underwhelming ratings, and Fox dropped its plans to spin it off into a live-action S.H.I.E.L.D. series. Around half a decade later, then-Marvel CEO Avi Arad reached out to David S. Goyer to work on a new Nick Fury film for DreamWorks. Goyer might have taken up the project if Warner Bros hadn’t offered him the opportunity to team up with Christopher Nolan to write Batman Begins.
Goyer recalled (via MCU: The Reigns of Marvel Studios):
“I called Avi, and I said, Listen, they’ve offered me Batman. Ever since I was a little kid, I told my mom that I want to go to Hollywood and make a Batman movie. I’ve got to do it.’ And Avi said, ‘No, you have to do it.'”
Marvel then moved to Andrew W. Marlowe so they would have a Nick Fury script ready just in case DreamWorks wanted to go ahead with the plans. After this, Goyer went on to write the Blade trilogy, Batman Begins, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Man of Steel, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He also got story credits on The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
Also Read: The Marvels Post Credits Scene Reportedly Reveals Nick Fury Pull a Major ‘Batman Move’
Samuel L Jackson On Facing Racism Throughout His Career
Recently, Samuel L Jackson appeared in Marvel’s Secret Invasion alongside Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones. During an interview with Variety, Jackson candidly addressed the racism he faced throughout his acting career. MCU actors have expressed that the portrayal of Nick Fury is yet to delve into a black man’s experience who lives in the US.
Jackson said (via Variety):
“Men who look like us don’t get promoted because of who our daddies know. Every ounce of power that we wrestle from the vice grip of the mediocre Alexander Pierces who run this world was earned in blood. So let’s make the power mean something. Help a brother out.”
Samuel L Jackson also spoke about his conversation with the writers of Secret Invasion regarding the influence a black man with superpowers holds.
