David Hasselhoff: 'I was the ultimate Nick Fury'

Published May 28 2012, 01:56 BST  |  By Tara Fowler

David Hasselhoff has said that he was the original Nick Fury.

The Baywatch star played the Avengers character in his own made-for-television film Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., which was released in 1998.

Hasselhoff confessed that he was hurt when he was not asked to reprise his role in the recent Marvel movies, including Iron Man, Captain America and Thor. Samuel L Jackson took on the part of the agent instead.

"I didn't see The Avengers yet," he told Movieline. "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 continued.

"Stan Lee said, 'You're the ultimate Nick Fury'," he added. "Avi Arad [founder of Marvel Studios], when they bought it, said, 'Don't worry, you're going to be the Nick Fury forever', and they lied.

"But that happens to me all the time," Hasselhoff concluded. "That's when you realise life isn't fair."

The 59-year-old recently claimed that he would not watch the recently-concluded series of Britain's Got Talent following his exit from the show at the end of last year.