Legend Shares Sage Advice: Samuel L. Jackson recently revealed invaluable guidance Bruce Willis gave him during their collaboration on the 1994 action blockbuster Die Hard With a Vengeance.
"Bruce told me, 'Find yourself a signature role - something you can always return to even when other projects don't succeed,'" Jackson recalled in his interview with Vanity Fair commemorating Willis's milestone birthday.
"He gave examples: 'Arnold has Terminator, Sly has Rocky and Rambo, and I've got John McClane,'" Jackson continued. "The epiphany hit me later when I landed Nick Fury with my nine-film Marvel contract. That's when I realized - I'd taken Bruce's advice to heart."
Jackson's journey as Nick Fury began with his surprise debut in 2008's Iron Man post-credits scene. He solidified the role in 2010's Iron Man 2, subsequently portraying the character across 10 films, three TV series, and two video games. His most recent appearances include 2023's The Marvels, Secret Invasion series, and voicing Fury in Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
The veteran actor humorously reflected on initially doubting whether he'd fulfill his nine-film contract, unaware of Marvel's rapid production pace.
"When Kevin Feige proposed the nine-picture deal, my first thought was 'How long do I need to stay alive?'" Jackson shared with GQ last September. "I never anticipated they'd release them so quickly - nine films in just over two years! Thankfully, it all worked out perfectly."
