Despite getting an entire series to himself, fans are now calling for Samuel L. Jackson to get a solo movie in the MCU with the aim of re-establishing S.H.I.E.L.D.
After only one episode of Secret Invasion, one fan in the Marvel Studios subreddit got a bit ahead of themselves and pitched the idea to fellow viewers. As you’d expect, there was quite a mixed response, with some decrying it as a terrible idea while others admitted that they would be on board with it.
It sounds like the kind of thing most would have loved to see from Marvel six or seven years ago but the MCU has moved on from that whole phase. Secret Invasion sees Nick Fury go up against the Skrull threat practically alone and with no backup. We’re focusing on aliens and cosmic threats now; the age of S.H.I.E.L.D has come and gone.
“I don’t think Marvel wants to go in that direction. The world seems to be done with that sort of thing. The focus is on alien threats now.”
Don’t get me wrong, those were some of the greatest days for Marvel, the whole build-up to The Avengers and then the aftermath in Captain America: The Winter Soldier were some of the most memorable films in the franchise. But a Nick Fury standalone story should be just that, Standalone. Having him gather up his agents and fight alongside them would eliminate the show’s hook really.
Plus it would undo a lot of plot development such as Steve Rogers convincing Fury that S.H.I.E.L.D was corrupt and couldn’t be trusted at the end of The Winter Soldier. Bringing it back would make it look like the character is just going in circles; making the same mistakes. A sentiment echoed by those who responded to the OP.
“Nah, SHIELD had its time. It was rotten at the core and had to go.”
On top of that, you have Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a show that exists in a state of limbo as to where it stands in the canon right now. Despite that, many fans like to believe that it is canon in some way. Having Fury do what we’ve essentially already seen in that show would be a kick in the teeth for those fans who still believe the Agents are canon. Even if they’re not, why would Marvel want to recycle storylines from a show most don’t consider to be a part of the MCU anymore?
The idea is mostly cons but there are a few pros, mostly because Marvel going in such a direction would mean more Samuel L. Jackson.
“Sure! I mean I’ll take anything with SLJ/Fury as the star”
“Sure, more SLJ Nick Fury is good, man’s a badass!”
Aside from that, though, the idea doesn’t have a whole lot of backers, which is understandable. We really don’t need another movie to do the same thing that Secret Invasion is currently doing. Besides, we don’t even know if Fury survives through to the end yet, so let’s not jump the shark.