The live-action Marvel universe is expanding at an impressive rate these days, and that goes for both big- and small-screen projects. Along with an ambitious slate of films hitting theaters over the next few years, ABC’s popular Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series will be the recipient of a spinoff series focusing on several members of the show’s cast.
The network has ordered has ordered a pilot episode for a show titled Marvel’s Most Wanted, according to Variety, with the episode to be co-written by several members of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. creative team.
The report indicates that Most Wanted will focus on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters Bobbi “Mockingbird” Morse (Adrianne Palicki) and Lance Hunter (Nick Blood), with series writers/producers Jeff Bell and Paul Zbyszewski scripting the pilot. If the series is picked up by the network, the pair will join Marvel’s head of television Jeph Loeb as executive producers on the project.
Currently heading into its third season, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. follows the adventures of a small group of S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives led by agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) as they protect the world from the diabolical criminal organization HYDRA and other global threats. The series took a dramatic turn in the third season due to the events of last year’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and continues to be closely influenced by Marvel’s movie universe.
If Most Wanted does indeed get picked up by the network, it will join the rapidly expanding list of small-screen projects set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following a successful first season, ABC’s Agent Carter was renewed for a second season earlier this year. Meanwhile, Daredevil became one of the most successful original series produced by Netflix when it debuted on the streaming video service in April. It will be followed by three more original series — Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist — before returning for a second season in 2016. All four Netflix series will also be converging for a limited series titled The Defenders at a later point.
Along with Gregg, Palicki, and Blood, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. stars Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Agent Skye, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons. The series is co-created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen.
The fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.