Phil Coulson actor and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Clark Gregg feels the show is still canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite what some viewers believe after the Darkhold -- which played a key role on the series -- appeared in WandaVision.
An ancient book of dark spells, the Darkhold figured heavily into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Ghost Rider-centric Season 4 arc before a very different version of the item inexplicably showed up in Agatha Harkness' possession on WandaVision, much to the confusion of fans. ”I’ve seen places where people felt like S.H.I.E.L.D. or something had been de-canonized by stuff that happened in WandaVision in ways I couldn't even quite follow, and I'm pretty adept at this stuff," said Gregg, speaking on the Marvel Movie Minute podcast.
Because of this, Gregg reached out to Marvel Studios President and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige to ask if the Darkhold's appearance on WandaVision did anything to "diminish" Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "[Feige] said, 'Ya know, I think you're really underestimating how powerful and passionate the fans of that show and the Netflix shows are and were,' and I would never underestimate them or the possibility [of] those characters, cause I really want to see (Daredevil actor) Charlie Cox, I really want to see people who love those shows, I want to see it all get crossed over as much as it could, cause I think that's what the Marvel fans want," said Gregg.
The Darkhold showing up on WandaVision isn't the only recent development that's left fans wondering if Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the other non-Disney+ Marvel live-action series are still part of the MCU canon. In certain international markets, Disney+ includes S.H.I.E.L.D. and shows like Hulu's Runaways in a separate section titled "Marvel Legacy Movies and Series," away from the MCU's movies and Disney+ exclusives. Similarly, the Marvel Studios: Legends episode centered on Peggy Carter doesn't feature any footage from the Agent Carter series, despite using Peggy's iconic red hat from the show in its thumbnail.
Although the Darkhold's appearance on WandaVision seems to further support the idea that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is no longer considered part of the main MCU timeline, it's possible a future release will confirm the show takes place in an alternate reality somewhere in the franchise's newly-introduced Multiverse. Just don't expect Gregg to reprise Coulson in live-action in Phase 4, as the actor has already indicated that's not in the cards.
Gregg does, however, voice the determined S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in animated form for Episode 3 of Marvel's What If...? series, which is streaming on Disney+. Fan can also stream all seven seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on the service.
Source: Marvel Movie Minute, via ComicBook.com
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