Clark Gregg Talks Iron Man 3, Thor And The Avengers

Clark Gregg Talks Iron Man 3, Thor And The Avengers

Movieweb have a great in depth interview with Gregg(better known as S.H.I.E.L.D agent Coulson) in which he discusses his role in Thor, The Avengers, and John Favreu's Iron Man threequel..

By MarkCassidy - Sep 15, 2010 04:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Avengers

Clarke Gregg's agent Coulson has emerged from his appearances in both Iron Man movies as quite a popular character. We last saw him interrogating Thor in the leaked Comic Con footage and he is expected to play a significant role in The Avengers too. In this interview he speaks about all of the above, as well as the prospective third Iron Man movie. I was going to post the highlights only, but its all a highlight! So here it is in its entirety..

Can you describe your character's role in "Thor?" Does it basically pick up right where "Iron Man 2" left off with Agent Coulson finding Mjolnir (Thor's hammer) in the desert?

Clark Gregg: Yeah, I can only say really little without suddenly being incinerated by the Marvel spy satellite but I think its clear from the secret scene at the end of Iron Man 2 that a hammer has shown up in New Mexico and Agent Coulson has been detailed to figure out what that's about and to see if anybody ... Donald Blake ... anybody might be there. I think Nick Fury is pretty busy so it's pretty much Agent Coulson's chance to go take care of this hammer thing. I don't think any one would have stationed Agent Coulson there without Nick Fury if they knew how nuts it was about to get.

Can you talk about the tone of the film and how director Kenneth Branagh was able to balance the magical world of Asgard and the Gods with the realistic Marvel universe that has already been established in "The Incredible Hulk" and the two "Iron Man" movies?

Clark Gregg: That is certainly part of the unbelievably complex job that Kenneth Branagh, Kevin Feige and the Marvel guys had. Its one thing to introduce the world of Tony Stark where everything's almost technologically doable and very realistic, which is what has always been really cool about Iron Man, and then start a whole other movie that is connected to it that is very different like Thor, the god of thunder with his hammer mjoinir and Asgard, an alternate universe dimension. It's really kind of gutsy of them to go there next and at the same time have it feel like a world where Agent Coulson can move into and it doesn't feel forced. It's certainly what I was most nervous about going into it so when I saw footage at Comic-Con with everybody else I was really relieved and happy to see that it looks like it works.

(image created by Rob Keyes of ScreenRant.com)



Have you had a chance to read the script for "The Avengers" yet?

Clark Gregg: The Avengers? I just finished the script. Want to know what's in there? .... They've never shown me a script! Are you kidding me? I probably won't ever get the script. I'll get my pages but that's it. It's a top-secret universe.

Do you know when shooting on the film might begin?

Clark Gregg: No. I read online that we begin shooting in February but I don't know? That's what I read. I have to call and find out if that's true.

What do you think it is going to be like on the set working with an all-star cast of A-list actors such as Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson?

Clark Gregg: I don't know? It's going to be fireworks. That's a lot of divas. No, I don't think that. It's actually, as far as I can tell, a nice bunch of people. That's what's been cool so far is that you get to work with a kind of caliber of actor in these Marvel films that I didn't grow up associating with Super Hero movies. Also, everybody seems to be having a good time so it's really kind of a pleasant place to work in. There is also something about, even though there is a real reverence about the fan base and wanting to make sure the fans are thrilled by what we and what Marvel comes up with for this, at the same time it's a comic book movie. There's a real sense of humor and an irony. I think in a way it allows people to take chances with their performances and that makes it a good gig.

Clark, since you are a self-admitted comic book fan from your youth, which villain from the Marvel Universe would you like to see "The Avengers" face in the upcoming film?

Clark Gregg: You know, this might not be a fan-friendly answer by I would like to see the red herring version of it where you think it's Dr. Doom or Loki, somebody like that and maybe they're connected to it but that it takes it in a really surprising direction. That maybe it's somebody that we've never met before, I think to create a villain substantial enough to have brought those characters together. I think it's got to be something kind of mind-bending, something kind of universal.

While the characters of Agent Coulson and Nick Fury have been seen in both "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2" they were relegated to mostly just explaining the Marvel Universe to Tony Stark. So can fans expect to see you and Sam Jackson's characters finally kicking some ass in "The Avengers" and the following sequels?

Clark Gregg: I hope so. I've been training so hard to actually look plausibly at my age like I could kick some ass. I think all of that gets revved up in The Avengers. So not having seen a word of what Joss has written I got to assume that there is going to be some of that there.

Agent Coulson might be Nick Fury's right-hand-man in the Marvel film universe but in the comic books he is aided by popular heroes like Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan, Sharon Carter (Agent 13) and Maria Hill, do you think that any of those characters could possibly be making appearances in the upcoming films?

Clark Gregg: I wish I knew. I have a feeling that one or more of those S.H.E.I.L.D. characters are going to make an appearance somewhere.

Finally, what is the status on "Iron Man 3" and is it true that the film will probably not begin shooting until after "The Avengers" has finished production?

Clark Gregg: You know I can tell you but I'll probably be referring to the same Internet source as before. But yes, that's what I hear.


So, that bit about a villain created specifically for the movie. You think he knows something we don't? Anyway, nice to hear from Gregg. I for one hope he does get to throw down and kick some ass in these upcoming movies!



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DCMarvelFreshman
DCMarvelFreshman - 9/15/2010, 5:03 PM
Awesome find ROR! I wonder will Coulson die in the The Avengers, cause someone's gotta go. lol
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 9/15/2010, 5:05 PM
Good stuff man.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/15/2010, 5:16 PM
Great work ROR!

DCMF's comment about him being killed off has got me thinking that's actually pretty likely knowing Whedon...I'm still hoping that he'll turn out to be a Skrull though, lol! :P
marvel72
marvel72 - 9/15/2010, 5:26 PM
@ rormachine

great find,mate.

i think he maybe hinting at a cosmic being.

i'd would love to see them pay homage to issue one of the avengers,have loki as the main villain & have him team-up with the enchantres & take control of the hulk.

keep it,simple i want to see thor vs the hulk.

but if not that.........thanos.
RichardTheNerd
RichardTheNerd - 9/15/2010, 5:34 PM
Great article. Initially I was sceptical about Gregg's casting in Iron Man -- after his efforts in IM, IM2 and the Thor trailer, I think his casting is spot on.
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 9/15/2010, 5:43 PM
Josh: I don't think Coulson would carry enough of an impact for Whedon to kill. If he kills someone it will probably be Cap or IM or Thor or he won't bother. ;P
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/15/2010, 5:45 PM
I hope he does kill someone. What the hell is wrong with a bit of drama? Happy endings suck:)

Cap died in the comics, he's fair game!!;)
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 9/15/2010, 5:46 PM
HIT THE VERITABLE MARVEL JACKPOT, MULTIPLE MOVIES INTERACTING WITH MAJOR MARVEL CHARACTERS, THATS THE COOLEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO AN ACTOR...




LEEE777
LEEE777 - 9/15/2010, 5:46 PM
Kill SLJ off!

I like this dude, role on IRON MAN III: ARMOR WARS!!! : P
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 9/15/2010, 5:49 PM
I think it will be Mr.Green in the parlor, with the candlestick. :}

Thor has died a couple of times also. Iron Man just passes out all the time.
secretasianboy
secretasianboy - 9/15/2010, 5:52 PM
killing him off would be a good way to increases suspense
he'd be like a redshirt except more important
i liked his character though
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/15/2010, 5:53 PM
LMAO guys! :D [frick] it...I reckon Whedon should kill off everyone, Alpha Flight style!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Now that's what I call a dramatic ending! Seriously though, I dont think Marvel will let him kill any major character that they can make money off...still, I never expected half of the deaths in Serenity, so who knows!?
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 9/15/2010, 5:54 PM
TEABAG YOUR AWSOME.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/15/2010, 5:56 PM
I seriously think he will knock someone off. \but not in such a way that they can't come back! If only poor old Wash was as lucky in Serenity:( You have to admit, the man has cajones!
BrotherQStark
BrotherQStark - 9/15/2010, 5:57 PM
Good I finally wanteds to hear from Clark
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/15/2010, 6:10 PM
Blasphemy! I'll pray for you Tea....
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/15/2010, 6:11 PM
If anything, he'll probably kill Thor at some point and then reveal that Loki trapped him in another realm or something! I dont see any of the big three being axed for good when they'll all have solo sequels in the pipeline come 2012. I guess Black Widow and Hawkeye could be seen as being pretty disposable...if Whedon kills Hawkeye, I kill him!

Regardless, 2012 cant come soon enough. I still find it hard to imagine seeing all these heroes fighting alongside eachother! It'll be more epic than a lesbian porno starring Natalie Portman and Kat Dennings! :D
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/15/2010, 6:14 PM
tea: You're saying that you forgot this!?!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
jbak368
jbak368 - 9/15/2010, 6:40 PM
If a Whedon-tuned script makes you shudder, you must've never seen Toy Story.
hewilldefytheirgravity
hewilldefytheirgravity - 9/15/2010, 6:46 PM
That Destroyer scene from the leaked trailer is awesome! Agent Coulson and his guys get their asses handed to them!
elcaballerooscuro92
elcaballerooscuro92 - 9/15/2010, 7:08 PM
i don't like the new adventures of the old christine, there i said it
SHAZAM171
SHAZAM171 - 9/15/2010, 7:49 PM
GWYNETH PALTROW CAMMEL TOE !!!!!!!!! LOL ; )~
skidz
skidz - 9/15/2010, 9:30 PM
He definitely understands the significance of the work going into these films and shows a lot of humility about his involvement. The think the Thor footage hints at a LOT more involvement for Coulson.
spider1489
spider1489 - 9/15/2010, 10:18 PM
swwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
fafafaf
fafafaf - 9/16/2010, 12:22 AM
cool.........I like it so much.interesting and amazing. 642-654 your post is so good and informative. 642-746 There are lots of ideas here !!!!!!!!! but JN0-532 people seem to be very casual with this site !!!!!!!!!!!!! JN0-541 Anybody interested in a joint venture ? I got some stuff to share
Akercocke
Akercocke - 9/16/2010, 12:23 AM
@Intruder so fat it looks almost like her ass!
Vital
Vital - 9/16/2010, 1:37 AM
Haha Hawks and Tea, you guys are hilarious.
Orphix
Orphix - 9/16/2010, 3:43 AM
Well I am not so sure who will die (but possibly Black Widow).

Also after Ironman 3 I am not sure how long Stark has left. Firstly cos RDJ ain't getting any younger and will have done 3 films with the one character.

And secondly he has a ready made replacement with War Machine. Mind you, I think Don Cheadle is the same age (if not older) than RDJ.

As for the whole concept of a brand new villain; I got the feeling that Greg was just being diplomatic with his answer cos didn't want to pin a definitive villain to the piece and accidentally rock the boat.

StrangerX
StrangerX - 9/16/2010, 7:09 AM
I forgot the name of the show, but I saw him in a sitcom last night.
Poolsonx
Poolsonx - 9/16/2010, 11:02 AM
@StrangerX "The New Adventures of Old Christine"

That's where I know him from anyway. The g/f watches it all the time and he's pretty funny in it.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 9/16/2010, 11:44 AM
THANOS as the villain
113
113 - 9/16/2010, 3:21 PM
Thanos!!!!...they have to slowly lead up to him as the villain for Avengers 3
tripttwe
tripttwe - 9/17/2010, 2:49 AM
Great interview! I think this guy's a pretty cool dude. As far as that Avenger villain goes: It sounds kinda Super "skrully" to me. I could see him being the "hidden in plain view" mastermind...
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