Samuel L. Jackson Reveals When Nick Fury Will Finally Return to the Avengers

Nick Fury has been the connective tissue of the MCU since the very beginning. Samuel L. Jackson’s eye-patched spymaster first appeared in the ‘Iron Man’ post-credits scene in 2008 and went on to assemble the team that became the Avengers. Yet fans have been asking the same question for years: where has he been?

Fury has been largely absent from the main Avengers films since ‘Age of Ultron’. He took center stage in ‘Secret Invasion’ and ‘The Marvels’, but his last appearance left him on Earth with the Khan family after his time running S.A.B.E.R. With a new crossover on the horizon, speculation about his comeback has only grown louder.

Now Jackson has finally given a straight answer. Speaking to The Direct on the red carpet for ‘The Beast’, the actor confirmed that Fury will skip ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ but return in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. When the interviewer said they hadn’t seen him in a while, Jackson pointed to “the movie after this one.”

Jackson added that he has no idea what ‘Secret Wars’ will involve, since Marvel hasn’t told him anything beyond that he won’t be in the next film and will be in the one after.

The comments settle a conflicting report. Insider Alex Perez had previously indicated that Jackson would return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, which Jackson’s remarks now directly contradict. Jackson was also missing from the cast announcement for ‘Doomsday’ in March, which added to the speculation.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ arrives on December 18, with the Russo brothers directing and Robert Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom. ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ follows on December 17, 2027. Jackson’s timeline means Fury is effectively being held back for the second half of the crossover.

Since Jackson says he knows nothing about the story, his role remains a mystery. Screen Rant notes that it’s unclear whether Fury will have a supporting part, like in the first 2 ‘Avengers’ movies, or a cameo, like in ‘Infinity War’ and ‘Endgame’. ‘Secret Wars’ will be Jackson’s 13th MCU movie and his 16th project overall, counting Fury’s appearances in 3 TV shows.

Collider points out that his casting doesn’t confirm the Battleworld storyline that has been rumored for the film. The Direct suggests Fury could play a full-circle role as the man who organizes survivors and coordinates strikes. That would be a fitting job for the character who started it all.

There are also questions about who else will follow. Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel isn’t confirmed for ‘Doomsday’ and may be one of several actors sitting that film out before returning for ‘Secret Wars’. The Direct argues it would make sense for Carol Danvers to return too, given how closely she is tied to Fury.

Jackson joins a growing list of confirmed ‘Secret Wars’ cast members. Screen Rant lists Anthony Mackie, David Harbour, Florence Pugh, Chris Evans and Simu Liu as ‘Doomsday’ stars who are also set to appear. The film is Marvel Studios’ only release planned for 2027 and will close out the Multiverse Saga.

There is one potential wrinkle. ComicBook.com notes that a recent report indicated the film’s shooting schedule has been delayed. That could mean a longer wait to see Fury back in action, even though the release date remains December 17, 2027.

For longtime fans, the news is a mixed bag. Fury won’t be around when the heroes first face Doctor Doom, but his promised return means the architect of the Avengers will be back for the saga’s finale. Jackson has said for years that he’ll keep returning as long as Marvel keeps calling, and this confirmation shows the phone is still ringing.

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