The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to bring back one of the biggest stars from the early TV side of things with Phil Coulson due to appear in What If...? season 3, but it raises questions about where the rest are. While Marvel Studios has recently gotten into the swing of things when it comes to producing its own TV shows, Marvel TV shows were being produced long before the MCU put its own official stamp on them. The popular Netflix Marvel shows built up a dedicated fanbase, while shows like The Runaways and Inhumans faded into obscurity.
However, one show that was intended to have specific crossovers, and in fact starred a former MCU star as its central hero, ended up being snubbed by the larger movie universe. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was one of the most popular Marvel TV shows of the 2010s, with Clark Gregg, who plays Phil Coulson, tying the two worlds together as he takes over S.H.I.E.L.D. after being revived by Nick Fury to work on super secret missions for the organization. And now, five years after the show concluded in 2020, Coulson is coming back to the MCU.
Agent Coulson Returns (Again) In What If...? Season 3
Phil Coulson Gets A Brand New Mission In The MCU
Having first appeared in Iron Man, and then subsequently popping up in special Marvel Shorts, sequels and 2012s The Avengers, Coulson was an important part of the MCU in its first chapter. His death at the hands of Loki was the moment that led to the Avengers becoming avengers, because they cared about their fallen friend and wanted to come together to honor him. This incredible mortal man was vital, but he hasn't been officially seen in the MCU since 2021 in What If...? season 1, or 2019 in live action, when he appeared in Captain Marvel.
However, he continued to work alongside the heroes from the shadows as a member of, and eventually the director, of S.H.I.E.L.D. But more than a decade after his official exit from the MCU, Coulson will the cast of What If...? season 3 in a special episode that appears to highlight the of S.H.I.E.L.D. before the organization fell apart. So far, the only official details are from the brief trailer, which features a moment where the silhouettes of both Coulson and Fury can be seen standing together.
The Rest Of Agents Of SHIELD Remains Unacknowledged
Where Are The Other Agents And Why The MCU Snubbed Them
Despite the return of Coulson, it appears as though the rest of the cast from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. remain separated from the MCU and the Sacred Timeline. It's long been a contention that the MCU has avoided bringing over the characters from this show, despite the efforts to link the two from AoS' side. There were guest appearances on the show from Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Cobie Smulders, who played Agent Maria Hill. There were also several story beats that revolved around major events in the MCU movies.
10 Underused Agents Of SHIELD Characters We Hope Appear In The MCU
Agents of SHIELD underused many brilliant characters, both from Marvel Comics and original, so it would be great for them to be reinvented in the MCU.
However, after a while, the show recognized that it wasn't being considered by the larger film side, and so it became more creative and flexible with the storytelling, even having an alternate story with time travel, the Darkhold, and its own exploration of timelines. But, with the Multiverse Saga, the MCU has never had a better time to include these incredible heroes who became so well liked in the show on the big screen. Daisy, Melinda, Jemma, and Leo all deserve to have their incredible contributions acknowledged with some detail that makes them canonically involved in the MCU.
Marvel Has Been Bringing Back TV Characters... So Why Not Agents Of SHIELD?
It's Time To Bring The Marvel TV Heroes Into The MCU
Due to the incredible popularity of the Daredevil series starring Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, the MCU has seen fit to not only bring these actors back to play their respective parts as Daredevil and Kingpin, but also many of the other characters from that series. But even before this, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reintroduced Anson Mount to play Black Bolt in an alternate universe. Mount originally starred in the Inhumans series, which failed to make it past the first season.
The MCU has never had a better time to include these incredible heroes who became so well liked in the show on the big screen.
Meanwhile, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. made it to an incredible seven-season run, proving the popularity and success of the show. It makes no sense for these characters to be snubbed ahead of the Multiverse being laid to rest. Fortunately, there are a few projects that could see them return, such as Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, but What If...? season 3 could be the perfect place to bridge the gap and bring them back ahead of their live-action debut in the MCU.
What If...?
- Release Date
- 2021 - 2024
- Showrunner
- Ashley Bradley
- Directors
- Bryan Andrews
Cast
Stanley Tucci
WHERE TO WATCH
What If… ? is an animated anthology series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor, and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist. The show sees Uatu the Watcher, an omnipotent being that observes the events of multiple universes from afar as they unfold, unable to interfere. However, things shift when an entity peers beyond the veil, jeopardizing the multiverse.
- Writers
- Ashley Bradley, Matthew Chauncey
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
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