Samuel L. Jackson IS Nick Fury

It's official. Marvel has locked in Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury for no less than NINE count em folks -- nine films. Gee did we see this coming? After all, he did give Marvel his consent to use his likeness for Nick Fury in The Ultimates graphic novel series.

Nick Fury is a key character to many Marvel enterprises: S.H.I.E.L.D., The Ultimates, The Avengers and even the Weapon X Program (Wolverine's origin). Fury's claim as a super hero is super strength. I won't bother to explain how he got it as Marvel will most likely re-establish that origin for the film incarnation of Nick Fury. After all, they changed his race from Anglo-American to African-American, so there is no telling what else Marvel has in store for the character.

NINE may be a record breaking string of appearances as a single character. Expect to see Nick Fury in just about every Marvel movie coming in the next few years from Iron Man, Hulk and Fantastic Four to perhaps even a Spider-Man film IF there is to be an (New) Avengers.

Rebooting Superman - Again?

Word is the Wachowski Brothers MAY take the helm of the next SuperMan film. The Brothers second unit director James McTeigue is also on board. However someone may need to remind the crew that bullet time photography in film has already be replicated in a SuperMan movie based on their Matrix film technique. Superman needs more than a good director. What it needs is a good story. And sadly Warner Brothers wants to reboot it. Just like Hulk.

What bothers me as I think it may bother you too is that why do we keep rebooting franchises? We all know how SuperMan came about. We know the origin of Batman and re-origin of Batman and Ironman, The Fantastic Four, Punisher, Catwoman, Spider-Man and god knows we know the orgin of The Hulk! Did I miss anyone?

Some of these origin stories were so bad, the franchise was killed.

Why does Hollywood keep beating us over the head with reboots? Just move the story forward please! Take for instance Hellboy. The origin of Hellboy was OK. But the second Hellboy film was a fun ride. My message to Hollywood, "Please give us a story now! Take us on a fun ride!" Origin plots are wearing out the genre of superhero films.

The logic behind the reboot? DC is taking Marvel's recent tack, to develop one character at a time in their own story slowly tying them together. This was all started in the Spider-Man franchise where characters were introduced as cameos early and eventually played prominent roles.

Dispite bringing on big name directors such as the Wachowski Brothers, Warner Brothers have failed to figure out how to consistently make a good franchise work because they think one dimensionally. A Wall Street Journal article points out this flaw by WB Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov:

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

This is rediculous. Superman is not brooding and dark. Nor is Wonder Woman. Sadly we will be getting orgin films from DC on: Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. Rather than just focus on the human frailties, Warner Brothers is going to give us Batman the Dark Knight versions of SuperMan, Wonder Woman and others?

This certainly puts a nail in the coffin for now on any Batman vs SuperMan match up.

Samuel L Jackson Furious Talk over Marvel Movies: Iron Man 2 & Avengers

Some headlines are touting that Samuel L Jackson may be out as Nick Fury on Iron Man 2. Hogwash. Let me tell you why.

If you've seen Iron Man and who hasn't, Nick Fury made a cameo appearance after the ending credits ...If you were smart enough to stay seated through them. Nick Fury meets Tony Stark at the bar and the light bulb goes off over every fanboys head. The thought? Marvel is going to make an Avengers movie!

Who is Nick Fury to Marvel's future plans in an Avengers team-up film? Without him you have no Avengers: Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. When Marvel thought of Nick Fury for the big screen, they abandoned the aging white military man and went with a younger, bald black man with attitude out the wazoo. They practically designed the character after Sam Jackson, and that is a fact.

Well PCM readers, now it appears with the cost of assembling such super heroes on screen in terms actors salaries ...Jackson wants a cut. After all, Fury is a big cross-over character. He's preying on the fact Marvel re-cast this iconic chracter in Jackson's image, from physical appearance to his manner. And it is clear Sam Jackson wants a cut before Marvel has to shell out money to whomever plays Captain America and Thor.

As an aside folks ...Frankly I say they don't even go with Cap or Thor and insert Spidey as he was in later graphic novel versions of the Avengers. But even if Toby McGuire signs on, you still have another salary to negotiate for whomever plays Thor or Captain America. Either way it makes total sense for Sam Jackson to get his pay day arranged early.

To insure this, Sam Jackson recently talked dismilly about his role in the next Iron Man 2 installment. When asked who would wear Nick Fury's eye patch he answered, "Maybe nobody will wear it. Maybe they'll decide Nick Fury won't be part of it." Now Samuel

In addition to all this, Marvel confirms they are active negotiations. No doubt this is a negotiating tactic on Sam's part. If that is not enough for you, just a week ago Jackson was quoted: "I saw Jon Favreau at the Scream Awards and we had a conversation. He said, 'I hope things are working out for you because we're writing stuff for you.' "

Jackson is not going anywhere. I assure you. If he is, Fury is NOT. Fury is an integral part of the Iron Man 2 story and the future of an Avengers film.

Oh... In case you forgot, we posted this Semi-Avenger's team-up CGI master-piece posted on YouTube just a couple weeks back... Stay tuned to PCM for more...

Spidey Owns The Secret Service

Come January 14, President-elect Barack Obama may find himself in a "web" of trouble. Lucky for him Spider-Man is on the prowl.

The new issue of the Amazing Spider-Man, issue no. 583, will feature the costumed Peter Parker making sure that everything goes well on Inauguration Day. In the issue Spidey fights some baddies to protect the comic book Obama.

Though Obama was not consulted about the comic, he is a big fan of Spider-Man. I'm sure he's glad to share the cover with the beloved webslinger.

The Lost Spider-Man Ironman & Hulk Movie...

For all you comic book fanboys out there, we all know there is an Avengers movie on the way from Marvell at some point. But check out what we found on YouTube. If this is real Marvell material, it may not stay on the Internet long. Enjoy it while you can! Note the kid Spider-Man saves: Fantastic 4 T-shirt!

Spider-Man news circulating on the web - Tobey Macguire is getting too old, and I don't think he can sing.

Tobey Maguire is going to be 35-36 years old by the time a fourth Spider-Man film could be released in 2011. As a character Spider-Man has to be a 18,19 year old kid. Superman is always 29, Batman is always 27.
There are rules, because without rules there would be chaos!
So, Sony is probably looking to reboot the series with a new cast.
It will be hard to replace J.K. Simmons as J.Jonah Jameson, I think Elizabeth Banks made the perfect Betty Brant.

Kirsten Dunst, at Almost 30, will be too old for our teenage hero's love interest.

But Spider-Fans could be seeing the webslinger on Broadway by 2009.
Lion King's Julie Taymor is confirmed as director and Bono and The Edge have completed the musical score.

Marvel execs have seen the initial show and loved it.