Are we seeing a new ‘universe expansion’ strategy develop at Marvel? Having already created the TV show Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D from ideas contained in their short films, the writers of Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely – have revealed that their long-rumoured Agent Carter pilot is currently under consideration at ABC.
Agent Carter proved to be one of the most popular characters in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger and, as Cap gazed at her picture while his plane plunged into the ice, fans were somewhat dismayed at the prospect of that being her only outing. The rumour mill churned with suggestions that such a strong character could lead her own story, providing Marvel with a much-needed female-focused project amidst all the testosterone.
Perhaps testing the waters, the Iron Man 3 DVD and Blu-Ray release was accompanied by an Agent Carter Marvel One-Shot – the new brand name for their short films – fanning the flames of fan-fever for more Peggy Carter. The well-received 15 minute film was directed by Louis D’Esposito, written by Eric Pearson, and featured Agent Carter in her new role within the fledgling S.H.I.E.L.D – battling against blatant sexism while trying to prove her eligibility for field work. Co-starring Bradley Whitford as her boss, Agent Flynn, and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark (father of Tony), the short sees her defy her superiors and head out on a mission, unauthorized.
The success of the One-Shot in 2013 led ABC to begin developing a TV pilot with Markus and McFeely, for which they provided the new status update while promoting Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While they have yet to see any green lights for this project, Hayley Atwell is in talks to reprise her role, and it is hoped that Dominic Cooper will also return as Howard Stark, who is intended to become a recurring character. Produced by Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (Reaper, Hawaii Five-O), the show is envisioned as a limited 13 episode series, beginning in 1946 after the events of Captain America: The First Avenger, as the One-Shot did. McFeely explained:
“That’s my hope, is that it would be something like [Under the Dome]. Our case would be that it would be a limited series and you would wrap up that one bad guy and that one case, and then if you like it we’ll do it again next year and it’s 1947.”
Agent Carter is certainly an exciting prospect for TV audiences – a female-led, 1940s set, secret agent drama, which could well be an able companion show to ABC’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. But the wider implications are equally fascinating. With the Marvel One-Shots becoming a more frequent occurrence – as evidenced by the newly released All Hail The King – will we see more unifying ties between them and the rapidly expanding Marvel TV empire? With four shows now also in development with Netflix, we’ll be scanning the horizon for related upcoming short films henceforth designed to whet our palate.