Home Entertainment ABC greenlights Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series

ABC greenlights Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series

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That’s right, I called it! (OK, so too did about 90% of the movie news publications on the planet, but just give me my moment here, OK?) It’s now official: the TV show that our Supreme Geek Overlord is working on for ABC will be S.H.I.E.L.D.

ABC has ordered up a pilot for a proposed series based on the Marvel cinematic universe global peacekeeping outfit, and to get the job done Joss is bringing in a couple of horrible friends.

Joining Whedon for his first return to the medium where he made his name since 2009’s Dollhouse, will be none other than his Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog cohorts Maurissa Tanchoroen and Whedon’s brother Jed. The trio will be pulling double duties as both writers and producers, which means that I’m already getting excited for the inevitable musical episode, where SHIELD agents break out into witty and catchy showtunes.

As to what the show will actually be about (besides my musical dreams), well according to Deadline ABC is keeping this one close to heart, but the fictional espionage and anti-terrorism organization lends itsself very well to a fantasy based procedural. Also, based on reports about the plot to Item 47, the new Marvel short that’s appearing on the Avengers Blu Rays, I would also really not be surprised if Jesse Bradford and Lizzy Caplan’s characters, Benny and Claire, didn’t show up. In fact they may even be our new central characters, giving us a fresh POV into  this world of gadgets and superheroes.

The show would also be the perfect launching pad for any “not so well known outside of comicdom” characters *COUGHAnt ManCOUGH*, who Marvel would want to fold into their roster of feature films.

There’s also no word on whether or not any of the big name Avengers would be involved in this, but based on the fact that Samuel L Jackson tends to say yes to anything that crosses his desk nowadays, he will probably be around (especially since his, like, the big boss and all). Also, sooner or later those poor kids will actually have to find out exactly who their mother is, so Colbie Smulders should then be freed up to resume her role as Maria Hill as well.

Last Updated: August 29, 2012

7 Comments

  1. James Francis

    August 29, 2012 at 10:27

    The comic war has clearly shifted gears to TV. You can’t throw a rock and not hit a superhero-themed morning cartoon show, plus the debut of The Arrow next month could start a wave of prime-time shows. this might be out in time to hit the peak of that wave.

    It’s going to be hard work, though – I wonder if this means Whedon might take a back seat on the Avengers sequel?

    Reply

    • Kervyn Cloete

      August 29, 2012 at 11:09

      Whedon’s already confirmed that he’s directing Avengers 2 and that he has a contract with Marvel until 2015 to be involved in their stuff.

      Reply

      • James Francis

        August 29, 2012 at 11:47

        That doesn’t really say much, other than he’ll be involved.

        Reply

        • Lourens Corleone

          August 29, 2012 at 11:59

          I’m glad Whedon will be in charge of the SHIELD project, nobody else would really do it justice.

          Haha, Justice.

          Reply

        • Kervyn Cloete

          August 29, 2012 at 12:10

          Well, like I said, he’s already confirmed as directing. The only question is whether he will script it as well.

          Reply

          • James Francis

            August 29, 2012 at 13:46

            Yes, but you are not following me. There is a difference between being a director and being wholly invested in a project. Whedon had little on his plate when he made Avengers. With the sequel he not only has the TV series to worry about, but no doubt the numerous fingers itching to get in the Avengers 2 movie pie. He’s bound to deal with far more politics and squabbles than before.

            In short, if Whedon thinks he’s bitten off more than he can chew, which project will he delegate more?

          • Kervyn Cloete

            August 29, 2012 at 14:37

            Ah I see what you mean. Well, Whedon was making Much Ado About Nothing WHILE filming Avengers, so it’s not as if he wasn’t multi-tasking before.

            And yes, a contemporary Shakespeare adaptation filmed in your own house with all your old TV buddies is a far cry from a spanning TV series, but like I said, he can multitask. And at least it’ll all be in the same universe, so he can stay in the same headspace.

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