With Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Warning: contains spoilers for The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

As far as significant cornerstones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe go, Clark Gregg is one of the biggest.

And yet they wanted a three picture deal, which I thought was just ludicrous.

Because his name was only Agent!

And then, it was very clear that that was all it was going to be.

But there was something.

I think by the time I showed up, he had a name.

And yet there was really nothing.

Then I remember [Jon] pulling me aside and going are you free?

Are you free right now?

Im gonna get free!

Hes not in the comics!

Theres plenty of S.H.I.E.L.D.

agents that could be from the comics!

And then other people kind-of yelled back at them like no, we like this guy!

Hes kind of… us!

How much later was that?

How long had you mourned for Phil?

Well, Id known about his death for a year, and the movie had been filmed in…

The movie came out in…

I wanna say, May?

I was actually just days into preproduction for this independent film that Id written and was going to direct.

And then by, I guess… What was going through your head?

It was quite terrifying!

And I think, in an on-going way… because I dont think he will ever be the same.

I dont think he really thinks that he really belongs here, in a way.

And, I just dont think hes the same man since coming back.

I dont think we came out of the gate fully formed.

But the way that its evolved over season two were very thrilled by.

Was it hard for you, when some of that reaction to the early season one episodes came out?

You must have wanted to tell everyone where it was going, how it was all going to change…

I mean… it was.

And it was not gonna be an easy transition.

So there was a lot to sort out, and I was disappointed.

And I thought, you know what?

Marvels got a track record of trying to do something unusual.

And, luckily, they did.

And its all the more fun now.

You teased that maybe hes not through his dark stage…

I dont know if he is, I honestly dont know!

Were on hiatus and theyre writing, so…

I dont know if they even know yet!

And the fact that Civil War is coming… How important do you think it is that the show refreshes like that every few months?

I think its because theyve managed to make that a function.

Not just a function of the television, of being entertaining, but really a function of whats happening.

You know, were a specific part of a very large canvas.

To respond to the threats that are going on.

You could cut S.H.I.E.L.D.

up into chunks couldnt you, if you were a binger?

Well, we kinda did!

We were lucky enough to have the magnificent Hayley Atwell and everyone at Agent Carter step in.

So, the way they did it last year was vastly superior.

And I think thats gonna be the model.

It is not…

How can that show not be on here?!

It will be soon!

Fox UK have bought it… Itll be on in… July I think.

Um, that model seems to work.

We have two seasons.

Or series, as I guess you call them.

I think that model works better for what were trying to do.

Speaking of next season, or series, is there anyone you really want to come back?

Would you want Amy Ackers cellist to return?

For gods sakes, yes!

Let Phil Coulson go on a date, hes all work and no play!

And shes magnificent, and I love her.

I love her as an actress, and just as a person.

The conceit was always that there was business left undone between them.

And, err, shes done a very successful show Person Of Interest and shes brilliant on it.

So, I hope that doesnt come between us.

He does deserve something nice to happen, I think…

For gods sake!

Yeah, I mean, hes missing a limb now… Just… c’mon!

Do you want to see him get an Iron Man gauntlet on that?

No, I wanna see a whole new something.

Hes not gonna survive for long, unless they come up with something.

Just finally: you mentioned the big Captain America: Civil War movie.

Has there been any talk at all of bringing Coulson back to the film world?

Just to tell Cap hes still alive?

I dont know what talk there has been.

Ill tell you what theres a lot of talk about it from fans.

The fans seem very concerned about when Coulsons death will be revealed to some Avengers.

And, I certainly understand that, to a certain extent I share it.

To be honest, Coulson has his hands very full.

Dealing with what hes dealing with.

It will be, hopefully, satisfying enough that it will justify the wait.

And hes really sending himself up, and that was brilliant.

He was very funny.

Clark Gregg, thank you very much!

Marvels Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

season 3 airs on Sundays at 9pm on E4.