Anna Daniels
One of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Why doesn’t (Character X) get his or her own movie?” Obviously, not every character can. If Marvel tried to make movies with every character they depicted onscreen, 3000 wouldn’t refer just to “I Love you 3000” – it would be the year in which they finally finished making those movies.
Still, there are surely some characters deserving of their own cinematic spotlight. Fans clamored for a Black Widow movie for so long that Captain Marvel beat her to the punch and Natasha ended up dying before she got her own movie. But would Nick Fury work? Maybe, maybe not.
The case for a Nick Fury movie
The reason you give Nick Fury a movie are the same reasons you give Black Widow a movie. First, the character has a rich and varied past that Marvel could plumb for all myth and manner of adventures. We could find out about how Nick Fury first got into SHIELD or find out about his doings with Alexander Pierce, Robert Redford’s turncoat character from Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Second, we have an ideal actor for the part. Samuel L. Jackson seems to be game for pretty much anything. The man has an astonishing 189 acting credits on IMDB, including six this year and four from 2018. He’s got three projects lined up for 2020 and two for 2021, including lending his voice to Marvel Disney+ animated series What If? The man likes to stay busy.
Most importantly, it looks like Nick Fury plays a key role in the future of the MCU, if the ending of Spider-Man: Far From Home was any indication. Just what was he doing in space anyway?
The case against a Nick Fury movie
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09djC_ZRD_8?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
On the other hand, maybe a Nick Fury movie wouldn’t be such a great idea. One was kind of already done. It was called Captain Marvel. No doubt Carol Danvers took center stage, but you could argue that Nick Fury was very much a second lead in that.
His chemistry with Brie Larson was one of the best features of that movie, and Marvel knew it. We got to see quite a bit of Fury’s past, and we finally saw how he lost his eye. Is that enough for the story Marvel wants to tell for now?
The other consideration is that Jackson is almost 72 — so he’s only about six years younger than, say, Martin Scorsese. That’s not to suggest that Jackson can’t do the work, because he obviously has great energy and enthusiasm. Captain Marvel de-aged him just like The Irishman de-aged the principals of Martin Scorsese’s new movie, but it’s also true that Marvel movies are physically demanding, especially if you’re the lead. Is time on Jackson and Marvel’s side?
Finally, some characters play better as supporting players than leads, and that’s always been Nick Fury’s role in the MCU. He was the glue that brought the original Avengers together, and now that the original Avengers have dissolved, does he have a big enough role to make it a lead? Again, the answer to that ends credits scene in Far From Home will be very revealing?
Other characters who could get a solo movie
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jA2zSXJSZE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
This Screen Rant article is a little dated in that some of its suggestions for solo movie have already been answered. Black Widow is finally getting her movie next May. And Sam Wilson’s Captain America is kind of moving forward with the TV series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Professor Hulk seems like a logical enough choice, because the MCU would like a shot at a better Hulk movie, but rights issues with Universal are a stumbling block. Peggy Carter got the spotlight in the Agent Carter TV series, but would continued adventures with her work given how Endgame played out?
Nebula and Valkyrie are also suggested. Tessa Thompson proved she could carry a movie in Men in Black International; and Karen Gillan has shown comedic flair that could be fun in the MCU. But with both those characters, is there enough there?
Same question applies to The Wasp or any number of the Black Panther characters.
As the old saying goes, you don’t know until you’ve tried it.
Written by: Cheat
