Bruce Willis' Advice to Samuel L. Jackson Shaped Nick Fury's Legacy

Samuel L. Jackson credits Bruce Willis' 1994 career guidance for inspiring his iconic Marvel role, highlighting the enduring impact of beloved franchise characters.

During the filming of 'Die Hard With a Vengeance' in 1994, Bruce Willis advised Samuel L. Jackson to seek a beloved character for career stability.
Willis cited his own role as John McClane, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator and Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Rambo, as examples of enduring franchise characters.
Jackson realized the value of this advice years later when he signed a nine-picture deal to play Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with 2008's 'Iron Man.'
Jackson's portrayal of Nick Fury has spanned over a dozen Marvel films and TV series, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's highest-grossing actors.
Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 due to aphasia, later diagnosed as frontotemporal dementia, while his legacy and influence remain celebrated.

The Independent

The Hollywood Reporter