Comic book readers will be aware of Hill’s role in the Marvel Universe as Nick Fury’s second-in-command who took over as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. when Fury went missing during the “Civil War” storyline. Maria Hill has also appeared in the Ultimate Universe (where Fury resembles Samuel L. Jackson) but in a different capacity, and she’s appeared in a couple of the cartoons as well, most recently voiced by Kari Wührer on “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.”
If the deal goes through, Smulders (who Deadline says Whedon wanted to play his Wonder Woman) will have beaten out Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jessica Lucas and Morena Baccarin (“V”) for the role, and she’ll be joining Scarlett Johansson as the only other female role in the film so far.
