Production has finally begun for “Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D.” and fans are starting to get excited for the Joss Whedon adventure (and maybe this one won’t get cancelled after one/two seasons!) So far only the pilot has been ordered but given the amount of hype the series is already getting and the big names that have signed on, it seems doubtful the show will get less than a full season order.

It was revealed last week that “Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D.” will take place after the film, Marvel’s The Avengers. The timeline and connections of this show has led to several questions and expectations that will surely be answered in the pilot episode and subsequent seasons.

So, here are five things that fans will want answered in the highly anticipated series.

::::Possible Spoilers Ahead::::

#5: The Origins Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe currently has six interconnecting film as well as three shorts with the agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D. playing a role in all of them. The big question, however, is about how the organization of was formed as it has never been fully explored. It is not a long shot to assume we will learn more about the inner workings and the origins of the agency in a series called “Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D.”

One suggestion is that Marvel Studios could decide to follow the comics and have the agency be created by Fury but rather than acting on it, he files the idea away where it’s then discovered and put into action by the unnamed council of twelve people (renamed the World Security Council in The Avengers). What makes this idea work is that it adheres with the current dynamic that Fury and the Council presented in the film.

With Whedon on the project, however, expecting something more isn’t out of the ordinary. Whedeon’s projects often have a secret organization that seemed to control everything yet you only learn about their history little by little throughout the series, never giving too much away at a time. We see this with the Initiative in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” Wolfram & Heart in “Angel,” Blue Sun in “Firefly,” and Rossum in “Dollhouse.” It would fit right into his style if we never fully know the back story of “S.H.I.E.L.D.” until the very end.

#4: Cameos

Seriously. One of the things that makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe awesome is how interconnected every film is to the others. Marvel Studios has done a phenomenal job at keeping everything together and with the release of a television series also set in the universe, they have a wealth of time and material to keep things fresh in between films. However, this also means fans will be expecting some cameos.

Currently, Clark Gregg is the only returning actor who has confirmed to appear on the show. Samuel L. Jackson hasn’t been contracted to appear, Cobie Smulders is still contractually obligated to “How I Met Your Mother,” and there’s been no talk about Scarlett Johansson participating in the show.

Since the show is based on the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, its operatives are probably the best bet at cameos that fans will see. The actual superheroes are less likely though not completely out of the question. Taking a look at each hero it seems that Thor will be the least likely to make a cameo with the fact that he lives in outer space not withstanding. Now that Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are BFF’s since the end of The Avengers, and Tony’s reputation for making things for S.H.I.E.L.D., it stands to reason the pair of them could make an appearance. Additionally, it appears that Marvel is stalling the development of the “Hulk” television series which could hint at his appearance in this project.

Some fans are also hopeful that S.H.I.E.L.D. will allow glimpses into the superhuman prisons on Earth namely The Vault, The Raft, and The Cube.

#3: Consistency

This has been mentioned a lot already and is not really a worry so much as an expectation. Things can get dicey with a media empire such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then to throw a television show into the mix, that can be downright scary when it comes to continuity. One line of dialogue can cause a canonical error that will alienate fans as well as push the show further from the movies rather than closer.

The one thing that will keep this project on the right track is, that’s right, Joss Whedon. Fans should have no fear of the consistency of this show with him in charge. He already has great knowledge of the universe after working on the film not to mention how well loved his past television projects have been.

Fans have also pointed out that the continuity will in fact be easier to maintain with the television show addition surmising that it is a lot easier to lose the details when there is a new movie every three years rather than a new episode every week.

#2: Foreshadowing For New Films

Given how connected all the movies are, it is not surprising when one of them references another or gives hints to what fans can expect in the future. For example, at the end of Iron Man 2, there is a map on a computer screen with various blips indicating different characters from the Marvel Universe. It is short and sweet but for fans who notice it, it reminds them that Whedon has got this and there is nothing to worry about.

Marvel has consistently foreshadowed throughout the films they’ve made. Iron Man had the initial “Avenger initiative” conversation. The Incredible Hulk had the frozen Captain America briefly appearing in an alternate opening, and Tony inexplicably had Captain America’s shield in Iron Man 2. These are details that aren’t just decided on a whim, rather done purposefully to hint at what is to come.

With Whedon at the helm, it seems safe to say that the show will contain hints and clues to upcoming movies and events.

In the timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the series will air after Iron Man 3 and around the same time that Thor: The Dark World is released but before Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This gives some opportunities to lay some groundwork before these films hit the theater without outright spoiling the films. Marvel Studios has made their films stand alone and connected at the same time so fans and audiences don’t have to see every movie to appreciate the story, but if you’ve seen them all then there are pieces inside to connect the dots and it stands to reason that S.H.I.E.L.D. wont be any different.

#1: Agent Coulson’s Return Explained

It was revealed that the character of Agent Coulson would be in “Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D.” despite the fact that he seemingly died at the end of The Avengers. Fans will want a good explanation of why this character is back and more importantly: How?

It has been speculated that what was actually seen in the film was the death of a Life Model Decoy (as mentioned by Tony Stark earlier in the movie). What makes this plausible is that we know Fury lies and therefore could have lied in order to bring everyone together for the big bad fight against Chitauri.

Others have said the exact opposite. That it is possible that the Coulson on the series will be the Life Model Decoy while the original Coulson did indeed die in the film. What makes this idea plausible is that having a “robot” character struggle with being his humanity as an AI while remaining unkillable is right up the alley of a Joss Whedon project (“Dollhouse,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” anyone?) and would continually add depth to character.

Whichever way they take it, fans WILL be looking for an explanation.

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