Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders discuss 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron' and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, but the big kahuna on everyone's mind is The Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015. The organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. is at the center of Captain America 2 and the television series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which could mean some changes for Samuel L. Jackson (Director Nick Fury) and Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill).

Both Jackson and Smulders addressed The Avengers 2 and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in separate interviews. Firstly, Jackson spoke to Fandango and "insists he has no idea about the road ahead for Nick Fury beyond the Captain America and Avengers sequels.

'Nope, none whatsoever,' he says proudly. 'I just know that the Marvel Universe is there, that there are things going on, and that I have three pictures left on my nine-picture deal. That's all I know. I've done six of them, and I'm about to do seven, so I'm running out of Marvel pictures - unless they extend my contract.'"

It's hard to imagine an Avengers movie (or even a Marvel movie, really) without Nick Fury, so an extension seems likely; however, if S.H.I.E.L.D.'s importance to the narrative starts to wane, then perhaps Jackson would not be involved in future sequels.

Smulders, meanwhile, told IGN with a laugh that she's "not talking about Avengers...anymore" when asked if she has seen the Age of Ultron script. She added that she is excited and knows everything there is to know, but she won't talk about it "until literally the movie's out on DVD." She also called Joss Whedon "the best man on the planet."

As for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., in which she guest starred in the pilot episode, Smulders said the following when asked if she would be available to appear on the show again:

"No, I don't know anything about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I've been watching, and I think it's such a great show. They're doing such a wonderful job, but I don't know about my personal involvement."

What do you think, fans? How much will Jackson and Smulders be involved with Marvel in the future? Let us know in the comments below.