In a fascinating exchange of wisdom between Hollywood legends, Samuel L. Jackson shared a valuable piece of advice he received from Bruce Willis while filming the 1994 action blockbuster, Die Hard With a Vengeance. Willis imparted a strategy for career longevity, suggesting that Jackson should aim to find a character that fans would always welcome back, even if other projects didn't succeed financially. Willis used examples from their peers, noting that Arnold Schwarzenegger had the Terminator, Sylvester Stallone had Rocky and Rambo, and he himself had John McClane. Jackson didn't fully grasp the significance of this advice until he landed the role of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jackson's journey as Nick Fury began with a cameo in the post-credits scene of 2008's Iron Man. He then fully embraced the role in 2010's Iron Man 2. Since his debut, Jackson has portrayed Nick Fury in an impressive total of 10 films, three TV series, and two video games. His most recent appearances 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.

Reflecting on his nine-picture deal with Marvel, Jackson humorously expressed concerns about completing the contract before his time ran out. In a September 2024 interview with GQ, he recounted his initial reaction to the offer from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Jackson was surprised by the rapid pace at which Marvel produced films, noting that he didn't expect to complete nine movies in just two-and-a-half years. Despite the swift timeline, Jackson managed to fulfill his contract, showcasing the incredible efficiency of the Marvel machine.