Joss Whedon is currently promoting the hell out of Much Ado About Nothing.  Naturally, this means the loquacious writer-director is fielding more questions about the future of the onscreen Marvel universe than he is about Shakespeare.

Whedon's latest comments concern this Marvel's foray into live-action television, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., specifically the return of Agent Coulson, the identity of a superpowered character, and the extent of the show's connection to the blockbuster movies of Marvel Studios.

Agent Coulson is/was/shall forever remain the quietly heroic heart and soul of S.H.I.E.L.D., and even, to a certain extent, Marvel's shared cinematic universe.

So it's with no small amount of happiness that fans of Clark Gregg and his signature character anticipate the live-action Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series alongside a roster of new espionage agents.  The question of just how Coulson could return after (spoiler) getting straight-up shanked through the chest by a mischievous deity, has been on everyone's mind since Gregg's involvement was announced.

Speculation has included notions both wild and mundane, from the idea that Phil returns as Vision to the concept of a digital consciousness.  But according to a new rumor, Agent Coulson's resurrection might just be a whole lot simpler.

Joss Whedon is a man uniquely blessed with the gift of gab.  He's talkative.  Loquacious even. 

Today, the writer and director of the biggest movie in history not helmed by James Cameron is flapping his gums about Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot, which he describes as "a very hopeful show."

For months, Marvel has been looking for an actress to portray Cap's as-yet unknown love interest in next year's Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  Many a fine young actress has her name associated with the part, but it turns out that the role has gone to none of the contenders previously mentioned.

Instead, Emily VanCamp has been selected by directors Joe and Anthony Russo to play against Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, the Avenger out of time.

This is, for the time being, an unconfirmed rumor, but if it turns out to be true, it constitutes a substantial Iron Man 3 spoiler. 

So if you want to remain pure until your butt is in the seat for Tony Stark's next adventure this May, stop reading now.  We're serious, it's potential spoiler territory from here on out. 

You've been warned.  Repeatedly.

No less a source than Cobie Smulders – S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill – is sharing some inside information on next year's Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the possibility that we'll see the character in action on the S.H.I.E.L.D. television series.

The dirty work of getting The Avengers together across six movies constituted Phase One of the Marvel Studios master plan.  Iron Man 3 kicks off Phase Two this May. 

As excited as we all about that, it seems it's time look to the horizon, past The Avengers 2 to the distant Phase Three, which Marvel Studios honcho Kevin Feige says kicks off with Ant-Man and will definitely include the phantasmagoric delights of the Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Strange.

The SHIELD ABC television series just added a sixth regular castmember, rounding out the principle ensemble with Chloe Bennet, a familiar face from fellow ABC show Nashville.

ABC's SHIELD pilot almost certainly won't feature any of the heavy-hitting Avengers jetting around in their bright costumes, but it will follow a group of Whedonesque agents of the premiere espionage and peacekeeping agency in Marvel's cinematic universe.  And with the addition of two new actors to the ensemble cast, almost all the major roles have been filled.

Having fulfilled the promise of a shared cinematic universe with The Avengers and made huge money-mounds int he process, Marvel Studios and Disney are taking the comic book action to television with the SHIELD series going to pilot under the direction of Joss Whedon.  The series will largely forego spandex in favor of the suits and ties sported by SHIELD agents.  Now we know who will be playing one of the lead agents, as Ming-Na Wen has joined the pilot's cast.