'The Avengers' star discusses character's fate - spoiler
Published Apr 27 2012, 09:04 BST | By Simon Reynolds
Warning: This article contains spoilers that some readers may prefer to avoid. Please click here if you wish to continue.
The Avengers star Clark Gregg has discussed his character's crucial involvement in the superhero epic.Speaking at the movie's UK press conference, Gregg admitted that he had mixed emotions about the fate of his SHIELD operative Phil Coulson.
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Gregg said that he found out about Coulson's fate before taking part in the Thor panel at Comic-Con.
The actor recalled: "Joss Whedon comes over and said, 'Coulson's going to have a big part in The Avengers, can I introduce you as part of the cast?' It was officially the shortest decision-making period I've ever needed!
"Then there was an ominous call from Marvel about how important Coulson's role would be in this film. I loved playing this guy a lot, and when I got Joss's script it was one of the best days I've had as an actor.
"It's been a chain letter - different directors get this character and reveal another facet [to him], always entertaining.
"What Joss did, I thought, was magnificent. Because it's in the Marvel universe, I think of it as an extension rather than a definite resolution."
The Avengers is released in UK cinemas on April 26 (under the title Marvel Avengers Assemble) and on May 4 in the US.
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Someone had to die in order to give Vision a brain pattern.......
April 30th 2012 at 9:07pm
I foolishly watched the full press conference that this clip is from yesterday before I saw the film (yes it had a spoiler warning but the Coulson thing was the only real spoiler) so of course I knew it was coming, gutted though.
I really liked that he was the unifying character from the other movies, it really linked them together as being part of the same universe. Joss Whedon really likes to kill of beloved characters doesn't he? ;-) The reasoning behind it was good for the story though, "...they needed something to a- " :'-(.
I hope they bring him back, I don't care how 'cos Clark Gregg is perfect in the role!
As for the 'did he die?' debate, he certainly seemed to have been stabbed through the heart, you'd think that'd be pretty definitive!
April 30th 2012 at 8:31pm
Mark Leck If he didnt die it kind of cheapens the whole film though...
April 29th 2012 at 9:57am
Kessa Haych Yeah I plan to see it again. I don't remember them doing a close up showing his eyes roll back or anything like that. I only saw it last night yet I can't really remember most of it that well to be honest.
April 28th 2012 at 9:49pm
Mark Leck Yes, I'd thought that too.
I kind of figured as I was watching it that later on they could fill in the blanks and say he was taken off for medical treatment out of frame, especially with how the film banged on so much about how Fury likes to lie.
Plus, this is the Marvel Universe. No one ever stays dead.
April 28th 2012 at 9:41pm