When it was revealed that Joss Whedon would be involved with a S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show, we couldn't be happier. After the success of The Avengers, a show with the creative control of Whedon would be great. What surprised me was seeing comments suggesting or hoping that perhaps Sam Jackson would be headed to the small screen to continue his role as Nick Fury. That can't happen.
We can't expect to see the actors from the movie taking time out of their busy schedules to reprise their movie roles. Many of the Avengers actors are currently working on the sequels involving their characters or they're trying to fit in filming other projects so they don't get typecast as a comic book character.
Who will we be seeing? It appears we'll have a bunch of new agents that will be taking the spotlight in the television show. TV Line managed to get a character sheet with descriptions on the characters.
SKYE | This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm.
AGENT GRANT WARD | Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you.
AGENT ALTHEA RICE | Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged.
AGENT LEO FITZ and AGENT JEMMA SIMMONS | These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.
These aren't characters or agents from the comics. In order to keep the costs of the show down, it makes sense that we won't be seeing the big names from the Cinematic Universe.
This doesn't necessarily rule out other characters from popping in. Perhaps if ABC could negotiate it properly, maybe Sam Jackson could be persuaded to pop in. Maybe Cobie Smulders could appear occasionally as Maria Hill as she's no stranger to television.
Getting other 'big names' would depend on the success of the show. When it's ratings sweeps time, the networks usually try to bring out the big guns. We'd have to see what the show is capable of and what direction it takes.
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