Joss Whedon to Write, Direct, Produce Marvel Pilot for ABC

A few weeks ago, it was formally announced that Joss Whedon - writer/director extraordinaire and creator of such beloved cult series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse - had signed an exclusive three-year contract with Marvel, for whom he helmed the record-smashing juggernaut that was The Avengers. The details of said contract confirmed his involvement with the Avengers sequel and hinted at the development of at least one live-action Marvel television show.

Just yesterday, it was reported that Whedon would be developing a pilot for ABC based on S.H.I.E.L.D., the top secret world peacekeeping task force led by Nick Fury. Joining him on the project are his brother, Jed Whedon, and Jed's wife Maurissa Tancharoen. The team previously worked together on the internet musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, as well as Dollhouse. Joss will be co-executive producing and co-writing the pilot. He's also slated to direct, schedule permitting.

Very few details have been released, but Whedon has noted that the show's storyline will be, "autonomous," from the Avengers sequel, which suggests that it will be allowed to develop as its own entity, rather than as an empty promotional tool for future films.

While many of Marvel's, "big guns," have already been employed by the film department, a wealth of characters remain untapped, many of whom have ties to S.H.I.E.L.D., giving the show plenty of potential for cameos and team-ups. However, the concept really opens the door for audiences to learn more about the agents who tend to turn into a backdrop for Hulks and hammers.

Best of all, fans might finally get another Whedon series that lives long enough to reach its full potential. Unlike Fox, who helped drive Firefly and Dollhouse to unforgivably early graves with poor advertising, pre-empting, and time slots of doom, ABC has a less disruptive sports and award show schedule and a better track record when it comes to making shows work (still, a moment of silence for Pushing Daisies). Plus, as both Marvel and ABC are owned by Disney, success will literally be in everybody's best interest.

For more information about the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot announcement, check out this post from The Hollywood Reporter.