Samuel L. Jackson Working for the Small Screen?

Is it true? Will fans of the iconic star get to see Sam Jackson’s work on television? The answer is a resounding yes! But, before you get too excited about the prospect — there’s more to it.

The star of such landmark films as “Pulp Fiction,” the Star Wars saga, “Eve’s Bayou,” “Snakes on a Plane” and “Jackie Brown,” not to mention a plethora of other great films over his nearly 40-year career, has signed a 2-year, first-look deal with CBS Paramount to produce and create new programming for the Eye Network.

Don’t jump up and down too much because the contract doesn’t include an acting clause. Jackson is under no committment to star in any of the shows he will help to create and it is highly unlikely, at least at this juncture, that he will jump onto the small screen for an appearance.

Jackson is setting up meeting times with television writers who he will use to scout potential ideas and help put them to paper (computer screens).

“He’s an incredibly versatile person,” said CBS Paramount Network TV boss David Stapf. “There’s no limit to what he’s interested in. He will attract other really interesting artists and writers.”

What drew CBS execs to the idea of having Jackson come on as part of their creative, behind the camera team, was his production work on the SPIKE TV special feature “Afro Samurai.” Jackson not only did voice work for that animated show but also worked as its executive producer and one of its hardest working creative forces. The show garnered good ratings on SPIKE and will be returning this fall on that network with all new episodes.

What fans may not know is Jackson is a huge fan of television programming and watches as much of it as his busy film schedule allows.

“I look forward to having as great an influence on other’s lives as television has had on mine through this collaboration,” Jackson said.

Jackson remains busy making movies. He is expected to be appearing as Nick Fury in what is sure to be an “Iron Man” sequel, is doing the voice work for the big screen and television “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” segment of the famous franchise, will star as the bad guy Octopus in the highly anticipated Frank Miller film “The Spirit,” the racially tense drama “Lakeview Terrace,” and at least four other big screen films between now and the end of 2009.