How A Comic Book Led To Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury Casting

The inspiration for this redesign was blatantly obvious and readers weren't the only ones to notice the resemblance. Samuel L. Jackson himself, while browsing a comic shop, came across a copy of "The Ultimates" and was shocked to see his face on the pages. After his representatives reached out to Marvel, he learned that there were already plans in place for him to take on the role in what would eventually become the MCU.

Though his likeness may have been used without his permission, Jackson took it in stride. When Millar and Jackson met for the first time, the writer said he hoped Jackson didn't have any bad feelings over them co-opting his appearance. In signature Samuel L. Jackson style, he responded: "F***, no, man. Thanks for the 9 picture deal." 

But it's been even more than nine pictures for Jackson at this point and Fury has become one of his most defining roles. Millar and Hitch may have only been using his likeness as a goof when creating "The Ultimates," but that decision seemingly resulted in Jackson becoming the anchor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.