Yeah, that's crap. You are dead on about that being half assed. With an ensemble movie like Avengers, that has pre-established actors, you can't go cheap and get no-names to take their place.

And replacing Samuel Jackson of all people? When they wrote Ultimates, they reimagined Fury as being played by Jackson.

The only thing I can think that would work for me is going back to the original caucasian Nick Fury if they are going to swap out actors. Let's just do that if they won't get Jackson.

I agree on the money factor and it's a shame because if done right it could potentially be kickass. If the deal is going to happen for Avengers the only way it seems possible is if the big name stars take a pay cut. From Marvel's standpoint, there just may not be enough of a return they can foresee to layout so much cash up front. Not every superhero flick is going to pull a Dark Knight in box office receipts and the Avengers aren't nearly as well known as Batman anyway.

Marvel could go all out on Avengers but I think they'd have to pare back some other projects which would probably be a good idea. However, there's a certain mentality at least from what I've seen in interviews with Avi Arad that Marvel wants to get property after property on the screen. It's a glut the market approach that's certain to waste money and see more worthwhile films shortchanged but it's their money to burn. It's just sad they're not burning it more wisely.

What a misleading headline. He isn't fired.

Samuel L Jackson is an overrated excuse for an actor. Hopefully they get someone competent to play the part of Nick Fury in the role.

sam jackson was at the end of iron man for 30 seconds. big deal if he gets replaced. he's in 20 million movies every year anyway

Maybe the problem is with the greedy, egotistical actors who think they are irreplaceable and that the movie will not go ahead without their spectacular presence. I read one article which stated that Sam Jackson would only do the Star Wars movie if he had a PURPLE light saber, thereby making him the only one with that color. What an ego, I would have replaced him in Star Wars too.
It is these types that are ruining it for us Comic book fans.

I see your guys point on how they couldn't put the best out there for all of our viewig pleasure. But seriously, who has got the money to put up 50 to 70 million just to have the "actors" not to mention the bills for a kick ass special effects team. To combine all of the greats to make a movie like the avengers, would be awesome. But the downside is who really has the money? If the DC/ Marvel were smart about it, they would give the actors a base pay that's pretty low. But promise a cut from the earnings at the box office. Give the majority of the money to the effect team, writers and the behind the sceans guys. Then after it make quagillions in the box office, dish the cuts out to the actors. I mean come on, everyone and their grandma is goin to see everyone of these movies. I know i'll be in line.

Hey, why doesn't Marvel hire Tom Cruise to play "NICK FURY". Did you see him in "Valkyrie" using the eye patch. He looks like Nick Fury!!!

Hey, why doesn't Marvel hire Tom Cruise to play "NICK FURY". Did you see him in "Valkyrie" using the eye patch. He looks like Nick Fury!!!

Norton can't make the Avengers picture as he is too busy shaping up the Huntz Hall biopic, "Sad Sach"

First, I hate Sam Jackson, I think he is the worst possible choice for Nick Fury and I would be incredibly relieved if they replaced him. Next I don't think they should make an Iron Man 2 (Though I think Favreau is doing a splendid job on sticking to the comics). I think they should leave it the way it is, do one Ant-Man movie, one Thor movie, and One Captain America movie (A film for each of the original Avengers) then start an Avengers movie "franchise."

If they can't afford Sam Jackson, how can they afford Tom cruise, who is no longer in the Paramount stable of talent? Perhaps they should hire someone like Avery Brooks (Capt. Sisko on Star Trek DS9) who maintained a postive working relatuionship with the studio.

Also, though I personally am disappointed in Sam's over the top performance and waste of talent in The Spirit, their seems to be a little too much hatred directed at him in some of these posts.

Lastly, it is generally acknowledged that the studios are usually the ones whose greed and penny pinching impact upon the quality and viability of a film project.

Just a couple of repsonses:

"But seriously, who has got the money to put up 50 to 70 million just to have the "actors" not to mention the bills for a kick ass special effects team."

Good question. (It was a question, right?) Ever since the economy has been in trouble, I personally don't know anyone who could afford the 50 to 70 million to pay just the actors. Maybe a major movie studio.

" Next I don't think they should make an Iron Man 2"

Thanks for the input, but I think they're already working on it.

"Perhaps they should hire someone like Avery Brooks"

Sam Jackson replaced by Avery Brooks?! Somehow I think that would go over a bit worse than the Cheadle for Howard move. The points about the studios and posters hatred towards Jackson were good though.

Samuel L. was a stretch as NIck Fury. People will assume that the character of Nick Fury is going to be like all the other characters that Jackson plays (loud, vile & bombastic). I hope that they look at the evolvement of the Nick Fury character from his Howling Commandos days to S.H.I.E.L.D days and base his behavior off of that. Nick Fury is complex and has many layers. I think Jeremy Sisto (Law and Order) or Josh Holloway (Lost) would be a good choice for the role.

OK....everyone calm down....this is all in the negotiation stage....read it again and you'll see that Jackson points out that it is his agents who advised him things werent going well. Give the guy a break he is as big a comic fanboy as you are.

As for the actor salaries it really shouldn't be that high for a few cameo appearences....lets face it Downey Jnr will be in it at the start but once he gets suited up....its all CGI.....Norton will be in it at the start but once he changes....all CGI.....these actors won't actually be in the main bulk of the movie....Nick Fury will probably appear for a short while at the start to get the team assembled (though thats not how it happened in the marvel universe....fury had nothing to do with the avengers)....most likely the negotiations are stalling over salaries but thats to be expected.

Just send Stan Lee in there so he can kick some ass and get everything cleared up.

So lemme get this strait....

.....They've replace Terrance Howard with Don Cheadle for the part of Rhody, aka WAR MACHINE?!?!! The most innoticibly bad Australian accent in the Oceans series. Fucking GREAT. Thanks Hollywood. Ruin everything!

Oh, don't worry about Fury. If anything, we should praise Sam for being a fan of the genre, as he's the most likely to take a pay cut so that these characters will get proper continuity on the big screen. And, as far as his Star Wars role, what fan WOULDN'T bargain their own, personalized saber color?!?! HUH?! C'mon now! 'sides, the expanded universe had a FIELD DAY with his unusual saber color and fighting style. Because of that little bargaining chip, Mace Windu now has an entire LORE behind him in books, games, and merch.

Nick Fury is white.
The end.

Why the crap did they change Nick Fury to a black man anyways when the Ultimate comics came out? If you replace a black character with a white guy people call is racism. When they replace a white guy with a black guy they call it progressive. WTF? Wasn't a black Kingpin bad enough?

First off, Sam Jackson as Nick fury is genius! In the Ultimates they ask him who would play him in a movie, his response, Sam Jackson! This man has his choice of projects, no matter what anyone thinks. He decided to play Nick Fury. Why? Because he can, and can do a damn good job at it. Theres alot of actors out there you can hem and haw about! Robert Downy Jr for one. Former junkie playing a superhero role. Why doesn't anyone bitch? Because he's great! If you want to get mad, get mad at Marvel for (potentially) stretching themselves thin on a project like this. As for the "Rhoady" problem, the first guy ended up being the highest paid actor on the movie!!!! Why?! No wonder they decided to go with another actor!! Money! All of you people will get angry with decisions made on these projects over the next few years but in the end, will go see the movies. Love it or hate it. Just don't attack the actors. Attack casting directors or the studio (verbally of course. Have to put that in because some of these posts seem a bit....angry). Meantime, don't hate the players, hate the game, but eat your damn words when you pay 8 bucks to see them anyways!

I did not think samuel jackson was a good choice for fury, besides the embeded idea that fury is a tough old white guy, samuel jackson doesnt fit the character, even in the ultimate series i wasnt convinced.
The only black actor iwho is capable of transforming fury from white to black & wouldadd a lot to the character, would be none other than Denzel Washington,who i think would rock in such a role. question is, what other actors can fill the fury role?any suggestions? & will they have dum dum dugan?

I hate when they change actors mid stride. It is assinine! Don't they plan ahead? The plan was to make all these movies. Why wouldn't they be financially prepared for it?
I agree with the person who said negotiate and give up points, but keep the integrity of the films. Was not that the idea that Marvel originally committed to in making the Avengers series?

If Marvel uses Sam Jackson as Nick Fury I for one won't watch it no matter how good it is. I am so sick of him and his "act". It is the same in 90% of his movies. Screw Sam Jackson and the crappy movie he rode in on (pulp fiction-over rated).