The cast is almost fully assembled for Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D., which is being set up at ABC and is expected to begin filming in January of 2013, but when can we see the show actually on the air? Jeph Loeb, the head of Marvel TV, says to expect it next year (via Previewsworld.com.)

“Well…we have a ‘little’ pilot for television that you might have heard about called Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. co-written, directed, and Executive Produced by none other than Joss Whedon!” Loeb said, adding,“Working with Joss, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jeffrey Bell on the show is a blast! And bringing in Clark Gregg to play Agent Phil Coulson — the best! Hopefully we will be on in the Fall of 2013 on ABC!

Joining Clark Gregg are actors Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Gemma Simmons, and Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May. But what about S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury? Will he appear on the show?

“I don’t know. I keep hearing about it, and I haven’t talked to Joss about it,” Jackson told MTV. “But in my mind, I would tend to think that he would, if nothing else, be like Charlie in ‘Charlie’s Angels.’ At least be the voice!”

Joss Whedon will direct the pilot and co-write it with his brother Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen.