General Discussion

I am usually hesitant to report on pilot development because so much can happen from the point that a pilot goes in to production to the show actually making it on-air. However, I felt this one was actually newsworthy.

It has been reported that ABC has ordered a pilot from Joss Whedon that will revolve around the S.H.I.E.L.D agency. Most likely, this is a result of Whedon's exclusive deal he made with Marvel and Disney after he came aboard to direct the sequel to the overwhelmingly successful movie The Avengers. This marks the project in the works from Marvel TV that has actually gotten a green light.

Joss Whedon will be writing the script along with his brother Jed Whedon and Marissa Tancharoen. He is also attached to direct, but that might change pending his schedule.

There is no word yet on story and/or casting and whether any of the film actors will be appearing in the television series. It seems as if Samuel L. Jackson will take any job these days, so perhaps he will show up in his role of Nick Fury? I certainly hope so, as I don't know if I can imagine a show revolving around the agency without him.

I love The Avengers universe and am happy to have more content, but I really hope that it transfers well to the small screen. They will have more time to explore character development and such with the week to week format, but knowing the tv world, it is likely the budget will drop drastically after the pilot, which might limit a lot of action. for action.

What are your thoughts? Who is excited for this and hopes this series makes it on-air?

I was kind of hoping for an Alias/Jessica Jones show from Whedon or a Luke Cage/Iron Fist Heroes for Hire show, but this makes the most sense.

Going from Film to TV doesn't have the same stigma it used to. They could very well be able to get Samuel L. Jackson. If Whedon is lucky this show has the potential of being his first series since Angel to get more then two seasons.

@JayDubya said:

I'm always excited for a Whedon project even though I wonder how much time he will have for this with the new Avengers movie already scheduled.

Joss Whedon is not the showrunner, he will just "show up and take all the credit" (quote from a Q&A after the Sleepwalkers premiere). Jed, Maurissa will be showrunners and most likely Jeffrey Bell (fellow Angel-alum!) who is executive producing will lend a hand as well since he has more experience. So all the brain melting logistics and stuff is not his concern (not officially, at least^^).

That said, I see no reason to worry about the Film->TV transition. Because it's a comic-book -> film -> TV transition and comics and TV shows have become a lot more similar over the years. It's a perfect fit and especially with the creative team behind it. Small budgets have not stopped Buffy or Angel from being fantastic. The less action in a Whedon show the better since that means more time for characters to talk and do stuff!

I for one am excited about this, Don't laugh but I hope it has the feel of Nick Fury: Agent of Shield . Ever since I saw The Hoff performance I have been begging for Nick & Shield to get a show.

I feel like he would do guest appearances... For sure he should be on the pilot episode/episode 1.

I don't want to play devil's advocate (I want this show to succeed), but didn't we have this much anticipation and hope when the Wonder Woman pilot was announced?

This has potential. Nick Fury was the best part of The Avengers.

I wouldn't be interested if they didn't have both Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders, though.

A new SHIELD movie/series seem to have been stuck in development hell for years~