Joss Whedon Talks S.H.I.E.L.D. TV Pilot, Characters, Bringing Back Maria Hill And More
Writer-director Joss Whedon talks about ABC's upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot, how true it'll be to the source material, whether or not we can expect familiar faces (such as Cobie Smulder's Maria Hill) and more.
Speaking with TV Line at the 2013 Streamy Awards, Joss Whedon discusses ABC's anticipated S.H.I.E.L.D. television pilot, which he co-wrote and directed. "I’m excited about the show because it’s a very hopeful show. It’s not about murder, and it’s not about crime, and it’s not people looking into their own belly buttons. It’s about people who are trying to help each other, and that’s one of the things I loved about comic books. They had costumes and the villains were cool [but] they stood for something, and I like doing a show that does that." Those hoping for the series to be close to Marvel's source material, the Marvel's The Avengers helmer confirms just that. "We’re trying very hard to be true to [Marvel's] ethos and also to the structure of their universe. So it is definitely a Marvel show."
However, Whedon then reiterates prior comments that the pilot (and potential series) will focus on original characters, rather than a "ton" of familiar faces (though "there’s a little bit of talk of that"). "Right now, I want to involve people in the characters that we’ve created for the show, and then we’ll worry about [the other stuff]." Cobie Smulders, who played Maria Hill in The Avengers, previously said that she had discussed the possibility of reprising the role for S.H.I.E.L.D., despite inevitable scheduling conflicts. What does Whedon have to say about it? Her schedule will permit very little" involvement, he says, "but if we can get a hold of her anytime, we will."
S.H.I.E.L.D. stars Clark Gregg, Ming-Na, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker and Brett Dalton. The pilot is expected to air on ABC this fall, and it has yet to be picked up for a full series.