Samuel L. Jackson Not Appearing as Nick Fury in Upcoming MCU Films

Samuel L. Jackson has been a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the “MCU,” for nearly a decade, beginning with a post-credits teaser in “Iron Man.” With a contract for nine films, Jackson had the hugest contract of any initial MCU star. While Jackson is planned to make an appearance in “Captain Marvel,” it seems that Nick Fury will be absent from the proceedings of the next two “Avengers” films.

In an interview about his involvement with the MCU, Jackson commented that Nick Fury did not appear in the “hero vs hero” film, “Captain America: Civil War,” and while the next two films are being filmed, he had not been called upon to perform in them. Jackson went on to bemoan the exclusion of Nick Fury from “Black Panther,” an MCU film focusing on one of comicdom’s most well-known African superheroes. Jackson was quoted as saying “How you gonna make [this] movie and not let Nick Fury [appear]?”

Despite the “vengeance and furious anger” about the latter point, there is just as much cause that Jackson was feeling playful about the situation and that he will be making an appearance in Black Panther. While T’Chala, the newly crowned king of Wakanda and the successor to the role of Black Panther, is king of an African country known for its technology and secrecy, it would not be out of the realm of possibility for Nick Fury to somehow be aware of the nation-especially as Wakanda is where the vibranium component of Captain America’s shield originates from.

Regardless of Jackson’s involvement in Black Panther and given his MCU character’s status as a linchpin of the universe, it remains curious that he will not be appearing in the next few Avengers films. At the end of the day, Marvel Studios is in charge of the films and they have a history of keeping their secrets close to their chest; Jackson was not even aware he was appearing in Captain Marvel until he read an online article about the film’s casting.

“Avengers: Infinity War” will make its silver screen debut next year on May 4. The as-yet-subtitled fourth Avengers film is planned to release 364 days later. The aforementioned Captain Marvel film is being planned for a March 8 release in 2019; the film is intended to take place during the ’90s, prior to most of the events in the other MCU films.