Joss Whedon On 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'

Joss Whedon has spoken about Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the pilot of which he has co-written and directed.

Joss Whedon at the premiere of Much Ado About Nothing at the Apollo Theatre in London.

Whedon has co-written the pilot episode with his brother Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen (Jed Whedon's wife). The pilot was revealed to fans at the San Diego Comic-Con last month. Whedon not only co-wrote the pilot but directed it. It is unknown how much input Whedon will have should the series go ahead, however he is confident that "I've got the best writers and actors I could so I could do this, and that's the best way to run a show."

There are many cross overs between the recent Marvel feature films and the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. series. Clark Gregg who features in the Marvel feature films as Agent Phil Coulson, will reprise his role for the series. Coulson leads the US law enforcement team who guard ordinary citizens against those with powers beyond even the military's means i.e. Thor or Iron Man.

Yet Whedon wants to ensure there will be some sense of separation between the films and the series. Whedon, speaking at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday, said "this show has to work for people who are not going to see those movies or haven't seen them before."

He also commented on ensuring the audience was completely aware of the terminology and backstories attached to the Marvel superheroes and how it can be alienating for viewers previously unaware of this, on the matter he said "it's like medical jargon." Tancharoen commented on this aspect of the show: "I don't think we'll make references for the sake of making references."

Gregg is supported in his role as Coulson by Ming-Na Wen (ER); Chloe Bennet (Nashville); Iain De Caestecker (The Fades); and relative new comers Brett Dalton and Elizabeth Henstridge.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is expected to air on Tuesdays at 8pm on ABC.

Chloe Bennet, Ming-Na Wen and Elizabeth Henstridge at the Entertainment Weekly and ABC TV Upfronts Party in New York.