Huge news out of ABC tonight, as the network has ordered a pilot for S.H.I.E.L.D, a live-action series from Joss Whedon, who wrote and directed The Avengers. Partnering with Whedon will be Marvel TV and ABC Studios.

Deadline broke the story. The project is based on the peacekeeping organization named the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D) found in both the Marvel comic book and feature film universes. S.H.I.E.L.D played a major role in the Avengers, as S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury, recruited Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, and Thor to join Hawkeye and Black Widow in stopping Thor’s adoptive brother Loki from conquering Earth.

Whedon will write, along with his frequent collaborators, his brother Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. He is also going to direct the pilot, schedule permitting.

The series will be the first live-action Marvel TV project to greenlighted. Production will start immediately.

The project has been rumored for some time. 

It is not believed that the Avengers will appear; rather, the other members of S.H.I.E.L.D. from the comic books are expected to be highlighted.

Whedon previously worked in TV as the creator of cult favorites Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dollhouse. 

Marvel TV has a couple of other projects in development at ABC Studios, including a Hulk series.