Jackson inks 'Iron Man 2' deal

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to reprise his "Iron Man" role of Nick Fury in "IM2," and possibly several other Marvel movies, Variety.com said.

Fury, the leader of the espionage unit the Shield who crosses paths with numerous superheroes in Marvel comic books, was introduced on the big screen in a cameo at the end of last year's "Iron Man."

Variety.com said the long-term deal Jackson signed to play Fury contains an option to reprise the role in nine future Marvel superhero films, possibly including "Captain America," "Thor," "The Avengers" and "The Shield," as well as potential sequels.

"Iron Man 2," with Robert Downey Jr. again playing the title character, is slated to begin shooting this spring and to be released in U.S. theaters in the summer of 2010.