Samuel L. Jackson thinks he deserved an Oscar for his role in Pulp Fiction. Indeed, the actor had been nominated for his unforgettable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s film released in 1994 but it was Martin Landau who had won the statuette for his role in Ed Wood. Samuel L. Jackson has never been in the running for a statuette since, but he will be awarded an honorary Oscar this year at the Governors Awards. Even with this belated accolade, it can’t be said that the 73-year-old actor holds the prestigious competition close to his heart.
“Maybe I should have won one. But the Oscars don’t move the decimal point on your check – it’s all about being able to bring some butt back into movie seats, and I’m pretty good at that, ”he explained to the Sunday Times. Finally, for the star of Django Unchainedthe Academy of the Oscars has a frankly questionable logic when it comes to rewarding African-American actors.
A bad inclination
“I think in general, black people win by doing despicable things on screen. Like Denzel Washington for playing a horrible cop in Training Day. All the good stuff he’s done in inspiring roles like Malcolm X ? No – that motherfucker we’re gonna give it to,” Samuel L. Jackson lamented.
This year, the actor will star inArgyllean adaptation of the eponymous novel by Ellie Conway directed by Matthew Vaughn and scheduled for release on Apple TV+.