Samuel L. Jackson Shares Bruce Willis' Career Advice from 'Die Hard' Realized in MCU Deal

In a legendary exchange of wisdom, Samuel L. Jackson shared a pivotal piece of advice he received from Bruce Willis while filming the 1994 blockbuster "Die Hard With a Vengeance." Willis, reflecting on his own career, advised Jackson to find a character that fans would always want to see, no matter the success of other projects. He mentioned iconic roles like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator and Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Rambo, and of course, his own John McClane. This advice resonated with Jackson years later when he landed the role of Nick Fury.

Jackson first introduced audiences to Nick Fury in a post-credits scene in "Iron Man" in 2008. His portrayal of the character took center stage in "Iron Man 2" in 2010, and since then, he has reprised the role in 10 films, three TV series, and two video games. His latest 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 pondered his longevity in an interview with GQ in September 2024. Initially unsure about the rapid pace of Marvel's production schedule, he quipped about needing to stay alive long enough to fulfill his contract. However, he was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Marvel churned out films, completing his deal in just two-and-a-half years.