S.H.I.E.L.D. TV Series in the Works

Hot on the heels of “The Avengers’” success, Disney and Marvel are moving forward with a pilot for a television series based on everyone’s favorite superhero support group and management group, S.H.I.E.L.D.

Joss Whedon, the writer and director of this year’s “Avengers” film (as well as the creator of “Firefly,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Cabin in the Woods”) will be co-writing, producing and possibly even directing a TV series based on the popular Marvel intellectual property. This is just one of the results of Whedon’s current deal with Marvel, which ties him to the company exclusively for the next three years. This deal also includes him writing and directing The Avengers 2, as well as overseeing the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Whedon had originally expressed some doubt about returning to the Marvel films so quickly, saying that he might have wanted to do a self-made project first. Clearly, that’s not the case. So what made him jump onboard with Marvel in such a big, bad way?
In a lengthy quote to media outlet Vulture, Whedon explained.

“It was part of what made it attractive to me. I loved the idea of being a consigliere. Every writer loves the idea of being able to go in and fix a problem and then leave without obligation. It’s fun! I also love these characters and the Marvel universe, and I grew up reading the books, and I’ve been going back and reading the old books and realizing that they shaped my storytelling way more than I give them credit for. Now I’m starting up a TV show, which is something I really wanted to do, but I thought it wasn’t going to be a part of my life for the next several years. It’s like a tapas menus of projects that excite me, in addition to the Avengers sequel, which I’m excited for because I’m incredibly excited about the next story that I’m going to tell. For me, it’s a huge win.”

This is a huge win for comic book fans, who are very likely familiar with Whedon’s work. Not only does he have a background in comic books (his run on “Uncanny X-Men” remains one of the best takes on the franchise), but his work in television has made him a go-to guy concerning nerdy series.

Whedon has since gone on to explain that the new S.H.I.E.L.D. series will probably focus on a cast of all new characters, rather than established agents from the comics. However, it’s quite unlikely that we won’t see small-screen versions of famous characters should the show go forward. Instead, what’s more likely is that the series and its characters will be used as a jumping off point to get more involved with minor and major heroes and villains from the greater comic and film continuity.

Whatever the case, it looks like the future of Marvel’s film, and now television, franchises are in good hands. At least for the next three years.