If you haven’t already seen The Avengers (which how many people haven’t yet?) then you may not want to read any further. Alright you’ve been fairly warned…
ABC is working with The Avengers writer and director, Joss Whedon to develop a pilot for the network, focusing on S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division). The organization led by Nick Fury (aka Samuel L. Jackson) works alongside the Avengers to help protect the world.
If you have seen The Avengers, then you know that Agent Phil Coulson played by Clark Gregg is killed in the movie by Thor’s brother Loki. Well, TVLine is reporting that Agent Phil will be returning for the pilot of the show. How or why this dead character is returning in unknown at this point, but the pilot could take place some time during the timeline of the movies prior to the characters death (would seem to be the most likely situation). However, Joss Whedon has also said the series will be “autonomous” from the movies…but how “autonomous” is unknown at this point. Are they completely separate from the movies in their own continuity, or does that simply mean you don’t need to see the movies to follow the series?
TVLine also noted that “Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D., as it is now being listed, is being executive-produced by Joss Whedon, his brother Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jeffrey Bell and Jeph Loeb, and written by the Whedons and Tancharoen.”
