Clark Gregg’s SHIELD agent Coulson moves to Avengers
Secret agent Phil Coulson, as played by Clark Gregg, has appeared in three Marvel Studios films so far, and his biggest role yet is in the upcoming “The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon.
“There’s no other movie where I have this much to do,” Gregg said in a telephone interview promoting Friday’s release of the “Thor” DVD.
SHIELD is Marvel’s high-tech superspy agency led by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). When Thor’s hammer lands in New Mexico and is giving off strange readings, SHIELD sets up shop to analyze the artifact.
Coulson comes into conflict with Thor (Chris Hemsworth), an Asgardian god cast to Earth by his father, Odin, when Thor tries to retrieve his hammer. Coulson has to become a little more aggressive in “Thor,” as he leads a team of agents protecting the hammer.
Gregg was impressed with Hemsworth’s abilities as the lead character.
“That seems really hard. He’s got to be this ultimate warrior, and at the same time, he’s got to be this Shakespearean prince,” Gregg said.
Tying films together
Coulson helps tie together the Marvel films in a new short, “The Consultant,” which will appear on the “Thor” Blu-ray.
“It was hugely cool,” Gregg said. “I just love that they wanted to go further with SHIELD and Coulson. They’ve been evolving who SHIELD is and who Coulson is.”
Meanwhile, Coulson’s role as something of a point-of-view character in this world of superheroes and thunder gods has made him a fan favorite.
“It’s really fun for me,” Gregg said. “You can feel that the audience will be discovering this or that. (And) he’s not afraid to say something sarcastic,” Gregg said.
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