Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American black comedy neo-noir crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, from a story by Tarantino and Roger Avary. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson play Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, mob contract killers (hitmen) with a penchant for philosophical discussions.
Tarantino had written the part of Jules Winnfield with Samuel L. Jackson in mind, but the actor nearly lost it after his first audition was overshadowed by Paul Calderón. Jackson assumed the audition was merely a reading. Harvey Weinstein convinced Jackson to audition a second time, and his performance of the final diner scene won over Tarantino. Jules was originally scripted with a giant afro, but Tarantino and Jackson agreed on the Jheri-curled wig seen in the film. Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.