Quentin Tarantino is one of the directors who has frequently criticized superhero films. Not only does he give them a low rating, but he also stirs controversy by claiming that actors participating in superhero films should not be considered movie stars.
In his book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino admits that he and many other filmmakers are “eagerly waiting” for the superhero genre to lose its charm and appeal to global audiences. However, the director still has a particular interest in Marvel’s Nick Fury and is ready to produce a film centered around this character if the opportunity arises.
According to Variety, during a press conference promoting Cinema Speculation, Tarantino acknowledged being quite enthusiastic about the Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos storyline. This is a creation of the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, released in 1963, focusing on the adventures of a group of soldiers during World War II, under the leadership of Nick Fury. It’s important to note that this is a completely different version of Fury, published by Marvel alongside the high-tech superhero variant associated with SHIELD.
For contemporary audiences, Nick Fury is a name that has become closely associated with the character portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Fury is the character who actualized the Avengers initiative, bringing superheroes together to form a unique team to protect Earth. However, aside from his adventures in the 90s with Carol Danvers, not much is known about this character’s backstory, and it remains unclear whether MCU’s Nick Fury ever participated in World War II as depicted in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos.
Instead, the Howling Commandos were brought to the big screen in Captain America: The First Avenger, where Fury did not appear. Instead, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes played the roles of the leaders of a national army unit, including members like Dum Dum Dugan and Gabe Jones.
One interesting point is that Samuel L. Jackson remains a close collaborator and longtime friend of Quentin Tarantino. The 73-year-old actor has participated in numerous projects directed by Tarantino, including iconic films like Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill Volume 2 (2004), and Django Unchained (2012). Therefore, if Tarantino were to have the opportunity to produce a project featuring Nick Fury, this character would likely be portrayed by Jackson, who has become so synonymous with the role in the Marvel franchise.
Given the current trend of Marvel Studios actively exploring new projects in the past two years, it’s not entirely impossible that a superhero film directed by Tarantino could emerge. In fact, aside from the typical humorous style, Marvel is also experimenting with various film styles, including darker tones, gripping narratives, and even projects that may not be suitable for younger audiences, such as Deadpool and Daredevil. Two series centered around Nick Fury, penned by Garth Ennis (the “father” of The Boys), have also been published by Marvel Max—a comic book line aimed at adult readers.
Source: Den of Geek, Marvel
