Get ready for a wild ride as we uncover a fascinating story from the world of Marvel! George Clooney, the iconic actor, almost became Nick Fury, but a controversial comic book changed everything.
Let's rewind to 2008 when Samuel L. Jackson's cameo in "Iron Man" hinted at a potential universe-spanning adventure. At the time, it was just a fun idea, but little did we know it would spark the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) we know today. The plans for the MCU truly began after Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Jackson's portrayal of Nick Fury quickly became iconic, and he's since appeared in numerous MCU films and the series "Secret Invasion." Fury is the mastermind behind uniting the MCU's heroes, creating a unique military force. His character, modeled after the Ultimates Universe's Nick Fury, is a key element of the MCU.
But here's where it gets interesting: before Jackson, George Clooney was in the running for the role. According to reports, Clooney had second thoughts after discovering a particularly gory Nick Fury comic, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson, the same duo behind the notorious "The Boys" comics.
Clooney, it seems, was doing his research on Nick Fury's comic book origins, which date back to 1963. While initially a tough soldier, Fury evolved into a CIA super-spy. But it was a more recent comic, simply titled "Fury," that published from 2001 to 2002, that caught Clooney's attention (or rather, made him queasy). In this miniseries, Nick Fury strangles an enemy with their own entrails - a scene that's both shocking and gruesome.
Published under Marvel's "Max" imprint, which allowed for edgier content, "Fury" is filled with violent scenes and explicit language. It's no wonder Clooney had reservations about taking on such a role.
This story was also covered in Sean Howe's book "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story," leaving us with a question: was it Clooney himself or his publicist who raised concerns? Either way, Clooney's decision paved the way for Jackson's iconic portrayal.
And this is the part most people miss: in 2002, "The Ultimates" debuted, introducing a new Nick Fury that closely resembled Samuel L. Jackson. It was a perfect fit, and the rest is history.
In a recent interview, Garth Ennis, the writer behind the controversial "Fury" comic, shared his thoughts on the Clooney kerfuffle. He theorized that it might have been Clooney's publicist who advised against the role, given the violent nature of the character. Ennis found the situation amusing, especially since he considers the "Fury" comic one of his favorites.
Ennis also acknowledged that Marvel Studios would never have portrayed Nick Fury as he wrote him in a mainstream film. So, it's unlikely that Clooney turned down the role solely based on the comic. Regardless, both Clooney and Jackson went on to have successful careers, with Jackson becoming a staple of the MCU and Clooney continuing to charm audiences.
So, what do you think? Was Clooney's decision a missed opportunity, or did it lead to an even better casting choice? Let us know in the comments! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this intriguing story from the world of Marvel!
