A while back we reported on the disappointing news that the economic crisis killed any possibility that Samuel L. Jackson would be taking on the role of Nick Fury for Iron Man 2. But today comes some great news because according to Variety, Samuel L. Jackson and Marvel have come to an agreement not only for his portrayal of Nick Fury in the sequel to Iron Man, but the potential appearance in as many as nine other Marvel films.

This deal would obviously include involvement in the eventual film for the ensemble hero team The Avengers and maybe the other individual hero films leading up to it (including Thor and Captain America). Variety also references another title called The Shield which I can only assume would follow the exploits of the unit known as S.H.I.E.L.D., but this is the first I've heard of it. So maybe there's an as yet officially unannounced movie dedicated specifically to Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Let's hope that this deal sets the tone for some more happy endings to negotiations (mainly for Mickey Rourke who is on again/off again as a potential villain in Iron Man 2 following a lowball offer from Marvel for the role). Iron Man 2 is set for release May 7, 2010 with principal photography set to begin this spring.