Samuel L. Jackson played Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, first appearing in the post-credits scene of 2008’s Iron Man. Since that moment, Jackson has become synonymous with the character, establishing Nick Fury as one of the most iconic figures in Marvel’s film history. However, Fury’s cinematic journey nearly took a different turn in 2007 with the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, where actor Andre Braugher was initially slated to portray the iconic spy. Unfortunately, business complications prevented this from happening.
The late Andre Braugher, known for his remarkable roles as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street, was set to appear as Nick Fury. However, due to legal constraints, Fox didn’t own the rights to Nick Fury and sought an alternative route by creating General Hager, a character that Braugher embodied in the film. In the DVD commentary of Fantastic Four, director Tim Story revealed that Fox attempted to negotiate with Marvel for the rights to Fury. However, the cost exceeded Fox’s budget, forcing the studio to produce a new character instead.
Despite the name change, Braugher infused General Hager with traits reminiscent of Nick Fury. The dialogue he shared with Mr. Fantastic, played by Ioan Gruffudd, drew directly from a scene between Reed Richards and Nick Fury in the comic series Ultimate Extinction #2. In this storyline, the two characters had a strained relationship, mirroring the extensive history between Richards and Fury in the comics. It’s astonishing to consider that Braugher was nearly cast as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. just a year before Samuel L. Jackson officially took on the role.
While Jackson ultimately provided a stunning interpretation of Nick Fury, there’s an undeniable curiosity surrounding what Braugher’s portrayal would have looked like. Fans are left to wonder how his distinct approach might have shaped the character within the Marvel universe. Following the recent reveal of The Fantastic Four: First Steps teaser, rumors have circulated about Nick Fury making a potential appearance in this upcoming film. Given Fury’s significant history with the First Family, his involvement wouldn’t be surprising, although these rumors should be treated cautiously, as they stem from unofficial sources.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is slated for release on July 25, 2025. Regardless of whether Nick Fury emerges as a cameo or plays a more substantial role, his participation could provoke significant implications within the storyline, especially since he was crucial in the exploration of the original Fantastic Four characters in the comics. As the anticipation builds for the next installment, it’s clear that both Samuel L. Jackson and Andre Braugher’s contributions to the legacy of Nick Fury will be remembered in different ways.
