Superhero movies: 25 best superhero movie performances of the decade
By Mark Lynch
20. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Superhero Movies: Iron Man 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Avengers franchise
Do people really appreciate what Samuel L. Jackson did for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? You can’t cast just anyone to play Nick Fury. Jackson added smoothness to the spy game, while being dangerous. Fury needed to be someone who could talk down to some of the toughest members of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the most power heroes in the world and make it believable. He looked at literal gods and didn’t flinch. You can’t throw anyone in that spot and expect them to succeed. That is what made Sam Jackson good. Then again, Sam Jackson makes everything look good.
Nick Fury is an important part of Marvel Comics and the MCU. Just because we don’t see him a lot doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable. Sam Jackson helped get the MCU started in Iron Man by mentioning the Avengers. A simple line that could have gone wrong. If someone stumbled on that sentence or made it seem corny, it would have ruined the plan Marvel Studios had.
Instead, Jackson helped usher in a new age of superhero movies. When he returned in other MCU movies, he always seemed to have a crucial role. Nick Fury and Sam Jackson’s contribution is definitely under appreciated.