Secret Invasion: How Samuel L. Jackson Developed Nick Fury's Backstory

Samuel L. Jackson played a significant role in shaping Nick Fury's backstory in the Marvel Cinematic Universe miniseries, Secret Invasion, as revealed by director Ali Selim.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Secret Invasion, Episode 2, "Promises," now streaming on Disney+.

Selim disclosed in an interview with Variety that a scene in the show's second episode, titled "Promises," where Fury reminisces about his childhood with Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), was directly influenced by Jackson's personal experiences. Selim stated, "It wasn't originally in the script. It was [Jackson] sharing a story with us. He has a profound connection to Nick Fury that goes beyond what any writer could achieve." Jackson himself added, "We incorporated aspects from my own life to give Nick Fury a rich history that adds authenticity to his perspective on America and how he has evolved."

In addition to exploring Fury's upbringing, "Promises" unveils another previously undisclosed facet of the spy master's past: his wife, Priscilla (Charlayne Woodard), who has never been seen before in the MCU. Selim explained that the episode intentionally leaves it ambiguous as to whether Fury is aware that Priscilla is a shapeshifting Skrull. "Initially, the script indicated that he knew. However, during filming, we decided to present it in a way that leaves the audience wondering whether he knows or not," Selim revealed.

By incorporating Jackson's personal experiences and introducing new elements to Fury's backstory, Secret Invasion delves deeper into the character's history and motivations, adding further depth to his portrayal in the series.

Secret Invasion Director On Nick Fury's Personal Life

In line with Ali Selim's previous statements about Secret Invasion's exploration of Nick Fury's personal life, the introduction of Priscilla aligns with the director's intentions. Selim emphasized that this aspect of the show resonates deeply with Samuel L. Jackson, enabling him to portray previously uncharted dimensions of Fury's character. Selim commented, "Sam Jackson would say we knew the working part of Nick Fury, but we never knew anything about his personal life. We never knew what his demons were. We never knew what his home life secrets were. He was never vulnerable or broken in any way."

The apparent vulnerability of Fury in Secret Invasion is acknowledged by those around him, including MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth. Olivia Colman, who plays Falsworth in the Disney+ miniseries, spoke about the character's relationship with Fury, emphasizing that Sonya genuinely expresses concern for his well-being. Colman stated, "Her affection is complex, but I believe she genuinely means it. She truly cares for him."

By delving into Fury's personal life and vulnerabilities, Secret Invasion presents a new dimension to the character, exploring his inner struggles and shedding light on aspects of his life previously unknown to audiences.

Via Variety