Samuel L. Jackson Says Nick Fury Skips "Doomsday," Returns in "Secret Wars"

Samuel L. Jackson has confirmed that Nick Fury will sit out “Avengers: Doomsday” and return in “Avengers: Secret Wars,” settling months of fan speculation about the character’s next Marvel appearance.

Jackson spoke to The Direct on Wednesday on the red carpet for his film “The Beast.” Asked when audiences would see him back as the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director, he answered, “Next movie… the movie after this one,” a reference to the sequel that follows “Doomsday.” He said Marvel told him he would not be in the first film but would be in the next.

The actor offered nothing about how Fury fits into the story. Pressed for a tease, Jackson said he has no idea what the film involves, because the studio has shared no plot details with him. Marvel Studios has not formally announced his casting.

The remarks contradict an earlier report that Fury would appear in “Doomsday,” which opens Dec. 18. “Secret Wars” is dated Dec. 17, 2027. Jackson was absent from the cast list Marvel released in March 2025, which named Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd and Tom Hiddleston, and fans have asked about his status ever since.

His absence leaves a long gap. Jackson last appeared as Fury in “The Marvels” and starred in the Disney+ series “Secret Invasion” in 2023, in which Fury fought a rogue Skrull faction. By the time “Secret Wars” arrives, roughly four years will have passed since those projects.

Commentators see logic in the plan. “Secret Wars” is expected to gather a vast roster of Marvel characters, and Fury is the figure who assembled the Avengers in the first place. Jackson’s casting has always carried a comic-book wink as well, since the Nick Fury of Marvel’s “Ultimates” line was drawn to resemble him. Coverage has noted that Jackson’s comments confirm timing but leave the size and nature of the role open, and they do not validate the Battleworld storyline circulating in fan speculation.