Word on the Street

-Samuel L. Jackson, who had a 31 second cameo as S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Nick Fury, in last year's Iron Man, has just signed an unprecedented nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios to reprise the role.

The Hollywood Reporter says: The movies include "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America," "The Avengers" and its sequels. Also on the table is the possibility of toplining a "S.H.I.E.L.D." movie, which is in development.

The actor, repped by ICM and Anonymous Content, made a surprise appearance as Fury at the end of the first "Iron Man," throwing geeks into a tizzy and showing the first glimpse of Marvel's plan to link all their slate of movies into one filmic universe.

-Late actress/singer Eartha Kitt's former publicist has lashed out at Oscar producers for omitting her from a segment paying tribute to stars who had passed away over the past year.

lame indeed.

R.I.P Eartha

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-Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was drinking alcohol in the hours leading up to his serious car crash last summer- August 2008, according to a lawsuit filed by the female passenger who was with him at the time of the accident. She is also denying being his mistress.

*hmm mm - giving u both the side-eye