David Hasselhoff: I Was ‘The Ultimate Nick Fury’
Although Samuel L. Jackson has played S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America, and the record-breaking Avengers, his portrayal of the cigar-chomping Marvel Comics government agent isn’t definitive to everyone. Like, say, to David Hasselhoff — Baywatch legend, Knight Rider icon, and star of the upcoming Piranha 3DD — who donned Fury’s signature eye patch and scowl in his own 1998 telefilm, earned Stan Lee’s blessing, and claims that his is the “ultimate” Nick Fury.
“I didn’t see The Avengers yet,” Hasselhoff admitted to Movieline while discussing his appearance — as David Hasselhoff — in the R-rated sequel Piranha 3DD. “I love Sam Jackson, but you know… my Nick Fury was the organic Nick Fury that was written and discussed with Stan Lee before anyone got in there to change it. Nick Fury was written to be tongue-in-cheek, and he had a cigar in his mouth, he was a tough guy — he was cool.”
Hasselhoff says he had earned Lee’s praise for his turn as Fury, who comes out of retirement in the 1998 film Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. to battle HYDRA. So he was a little miffed to learn the character would be portrayed by someone else — even if that someone was Jackson.
“Stan Lee said, ‘You’re the ultimate Nick Fury,’” he remembered. “Avi Arad, when they bought it, said, ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to be the Nick Fury forever,’ and they lied. [Pause] But that happens to me all the time. That’s when you realize life isn’t fair.”
Hasselhoff, meanwhile, has been trying to revive another of his past projects anew — not Baywatch (alas!), but Knight Rider — his popular '80s series co-starring a tricked-out, artificially intelligent car named KITT. Numerous attempts to revive the series in film and television form have been made in the years since Knight Rider went off the air (including, most recently, a 2008 TV series that lasted one season), but the latest iteration — a film adaptation, currently at the Weinstein Co. — is what Hasselhoff has his sights set on.
In fact, he told Movieline, it’s the Weinstein Co.’s Knight Rider film that helped entice Hasselhoff to take part in Piranha 3DD. “Bob Weinstein called me and said, ‘Come on, man — if you do this movie and it does really well, I’ll put you in Scary Movie,” Hasselhoff said, "'and then we own Knight Rider, maybe we can put you in the Knight Rider movie…’”
Still, Hasselhoff wouldn’t mind finding his way back into the Marvel fold — perhaps in Avengers 2? “I had a blast playing Nick Fury,” he said. “And if it ever came back and Nick Fury has a brother — Dick Fury? — I’d be there.”
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Comments
Well, he has one thing right - if there was ever anyone that was the epitomy of a "Dick", it's him.
Having seen his Nick Fury movie...
It's considerably less horrible than you might expect.
And that's about as close to a compliment I'm willing to go.
Thank God David Hasselhoff wasn't chosen to play Nick Fury in the Avengers! If Disney made that horrible mistake, the Avengers probably would have lost more than John Carter and Mars Needs Moms combined.
David Hasselhoff is aj joke.
The Hoff's take on Nick Fury was at best "cheesy". I'm sorry Hoff, but You are too much of a "pretty boy" to play such a hardcore and iconic role as Nick Fury. Although Sam Jackson's take on it was good, (and I'm sorry to say this), But Nick Fury is a white guy.
Obligatory "Not in the Ultimate Universe which is where the films take place, in that universe Nick Fury is not only black, but he is based on Samuel L. Jackson."
origanly yes he was white bu these movies havnt been sticking to the comics stan lee made they based off of more of the mordorn new comics in witch case fury is very black
you mean jack kirby, not stan lee
actually it was both of them.
Hasselhoff was horrific in the role, and his film was a complete disaster. He was nothing like the Nick Fury from the comics, regardless of what he says, and his acting is an embarrassment. I guarantee you there's no one else out there--except maybe his daughter--who thinks he was a better Nick Fury than Sam Jackson.
iesus CHRIST - can you say "career SHAMBLES"?! I mean, the man is practically begging for parts to be thrown to him like scraps. the part about 'scary movie' and Weinstein... I mean, that's just depressing, man. is a bay watch/washed-up joke WAY too obvious or what..?
They should bring Hoff back and a green painted Lou Ferrigno, The Marvel movie verse ( which is universe 1999999 not a complete extension of the Ultimate universe 1610 ) has a long track record of tongue-in-cheek references to past Marvel media. Theme songs used as ring tones, nods to past names, cameos by past actors, references to other versions of the characters, Cap shooting the serials, Cap signing in Timely Comics's Captain America Comics. Tony Stark promoting things as Ironman which in the past Ironman had been licensed to promote. Even non-Marvel Studio Marvel Movies do that like the action figures in Fantastic Four. Marvel always embraces the fact that they've been around as long as they had and all of the successes and failures they've had along the way.
Avengers ended with them being a popular topic with a strong fan base within their world. I'd bet money that in their world, that would spawn a bunch of campy tv series. Why would Nick Fury be White instead of Sam Jackson like? Because people only heard the Avengers talking about him... they never actually saw him for themselves.
Don't change Sam Jackson as the 'real' Nick Fury in the movieverse... but why not have Hoff cameo as a 'TV' Nick Fury within the movieverse. A Shield Agent could be watching it on a the helicarrier and Sam Jackson's Fury can catch it out of the corner of his working eye and go 'ahhh, helllll no....' and proceed to bash it, maybe even get it cancelled. It would be in keeping with Marvel's sense of humor to have all of the old cartoons and tv series pop up only for the Avengers to tease each other about how they are portrayed. Since Nick is mentioned but not seen it makes sense that his Movieverse 'TV' self would be even less 'accurate' then all of the other characters.
Well this may not be popular but to someone my age Nick Fury will always be a gritty cigar chomping white guy. And Hawkeye is a six foot, blonde, smart mouthed ex carney. Ultimate universe is ok but not Marvel as I know it. Hoff did a great job. The budget let the 1998 film down not him.
So, if they ever make a nextwave movie, expect Hasselhoff to audition for Dirk Anger?
What did he expect Stan to say ? Can he get a clue ? When they say " we will call you". They don't really mean it. Hell I'm not in Hollywood and I know that.
wow
Sorry DH. I HATED you in that movie. Not that it was just you... I was sorry Marvel even made the movie. You know, sorta like the "Why did they do it if the really couldn't DO IT RIGHT??!?!!!"
Sam was OK but, I wonder how Liam Nelson would've done... I'm just sayin'.
So, he thinks Stan Lee lied to him about being Fury forever? Just wait until het tries to get Harvey to make Knight Rider.
David Hasselhoff IS Dick Fury.
I'm not even talking about a character.
HA! YES!!! I was thinking something similar.
Hey 'Hoff..... Jealous much?
Naaaah...nope I don't think so....Nick Puny maybe...
Hasselhoff has been great as Nick Fury in all the recent Mavel movies. What, that wasn't Hasselhoff with his wig off and some make-up on? Shit, that's sucks! At least, don't give the lead role to Sam Jackson for the Knight Rider movie, then. But then again, who would want to watch a Knight Rider movie? It kinda reminded me of the A-Team movie and the horrible Charlie's Angels movies. Jeez.
don't hassle the hoff!!!!
Even if Nick Fury wasn't black (and based on Sam Jackson) in the Ultimate comics, I don't see any reason why a film representation of him couldn't be played by Sam Jackson anyway. Nick Fury's whiteness didn't define him.
Sawe the Nick Fury film. Not that bad. I do not like the changes made in the Marvel characters for the Ultimate Universe. Even though I've seen the Avengers four times, I'd still like to see, at least, one Marvel movie filmerd exactly the way the characters were treated in the original comic series. Avengers is a prime example. Everyone knows that the Avengers were formed long before SHIELD appeared in the Marvel universe. Not only that, but it was the Avengers that discovered Captain America in a block of ice. Issue #3 if I remember correctly. How about a Marvel/DC crossover movie? Avengers team up with the Justice League to fight a bad guy team up of Thanos and Darkseid.
Idea good, it agree with you.
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