The position of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has long been a bone of contention for fans. Many felt that the first season suffered for its need to hold off on major storylines in deference to movie releases, and the series has struggled to shake off that perception ever since, despite reviews that have grown in praise. Currently in the midst of its second season, however, the tide seems to be turning for Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., now that it is laying the groundwork for the planned 2019 Marvel movie, The Inhumans.
In the Marvel comics, the Inhumans are a society of genetically modified beings isolated from the rest of the human race. They were created by the alien Kree who, having observed life on Earth from their base on Uranus, experimented on humanity with a process called Terrigenesis in an attempt to create an enhanced race that could preserve their own future. The Inhumans live under the rule of a Royal Family, headed by the king, Black Bolt. A storyline featuring the Inhumans has been introduced in Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., revealing them to be the result of a rogue Kree experiment, designed to create soldiers on many planets.
The planned Inhumans movie is one of the most highly anticipated ‘Phase Three’ movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it’s introduction through Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. has garnered much attention. Given the nature of the relationship between the television and film projects of Marvel, it has led to speculation that this development is a specific move to have the flagship TV show calling the MCU shots for a change. With Avengers: Age Of Ultron about to hit cinemas, Kevin Feige has been available to explain that relationship in more detail.
“It was always the intention that introducing them to the public would be happening quickly, and it would happen in the show.
“There have been discussions between myself and Eric Buckley and Dan Carroll, who is the conduit between Jeph Loeb and the runners, in terms of them saying, ‘We’re thinking of doing this, this and this – does that gibe with what you’re doing in the movies?’ And in some cases, like with the Avengers movies, it’s very close. We have to say, ‘This is happening, so you have to do this.’
“In the case of The Inhumans, they’re blazing new ground. As we get down the road towards that one, we’ll see what the pieces are.”
So, there we have it – straight from the President of Marvel himself. Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. is laying the foundation for a Marvel movie, instead of playing catch-up and fill-in for Avengers team members. Even more intriguing is the fact that The Inhumans movie is still a very long way off, so it will be interesting to see what the show does with those characters and that concept ahead of time.