Throughout his time in the MCU, Clark Gregg has filmed his fair share of death scenes and heartbreaking farewells. As Phil Coulson, he was killed off in The Avengers and then again at the end of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fifth season (and that’s not even counting the deaths of a few alien doppelgangers along the way). But now, Gregg is gearing up to play Coulson as an Life Model Decoy for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s final season. And while speaking with Variety, he explained how he approached this new version of his beloved character.
Gregg admitted that he was a little confused by the producers’ plans for Coulson before production started on season 7. However, he was swayed when he learned that he wasn’t being written like android characters on other shows.
“I was a little thrown at first,” said Gregg. “I internalize everything Coulson cares about whether I want to or not. He was really adamant that he didn’t want that. And even though I love [Star Trek: The Next Generation’s] Data, I didn’t want Phil Coulson to be Data, you know, the cyber being following them around doing fast math. Their idea around it was very different. He’s wrestling with some of the stuff that classic AI characters have dealt with in the past: What am I? What am I now, in his case. And he’s also not really the kind of typical LMD. There’s other, much more advanced stuff going on.”
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Because Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is ending this summer, this could be the last time we see Coulson grace the screen in any way, shape, or form. Regardless, Gregg doesn’t sound like he’s permanently turning his back on the Marvel Universe just yet.
“I don’t know anything!” Gregg said. “It’s hard for me to imagine a scenario where I’d say, “No, I’m too busy to put on whatever the latest version of the suit is and go play Phil Coulson.” I’m always thrilled when I see them changing timelines and exposing a multiverse in the cinematic [universe]. Because I think, ‘Well, I’ve seen scenarios where I could be around!’ So I really learned with this character to never say never, but I’m also really grateful for the ride that we had.”
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will premiere its seventh and final season next Wednesday, May 27 at 10pm on ABC.
Are you excited to see Gregg play Coulson as an LMD? Would you like to see him continue playing the role in future MCU projects? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Vol. 1: The Coulson Protocols
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