Yeah, we're all still staggering from Disney's acquisition of Star Wars, but let's not forget all of the things they're doing with the Marvel Universe because it has the potential to be even bigger. Obviously The Avengers and the other related superhero flicks are the hottest ticket in Hollywood right now, but the Mouse House is poised to dominate the small screen as well with a S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series, and it's coming even sooner than we would have thought.
Variety's Marc Graser tweeted, and it's also been noted in a casting call sheet, that filming on the series pilot begins in mid-January. That would presumably mean it could be ready for the following TV season on the Disney-owned ABC network. Whedon will direct the pilot and co-write the script with his brother Jed and Melissa Tancharoen. He'll then move into an overseer capacity, much as he is for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Assuming the show gets picked up for a full run(it will), expect there to be at least some crossing over between characters.
Clark Gregg will be as agent Phil Coulson, freshly returned from the grave, and recently Ming-Na Wen signed on to play agent Melinda May. With production beginning so soon expect to see a lot more casting info to come.
