Cobie Smulders in talks to join 'S.H.I.E.L.D.'

When the news broke about an upcoming ABC pilot for Marvel's 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' cropped up, people wondered how many (if any) characters from the smash-hit feature 'The Avengers' would appear on the small screen. First, it was confirmed that Clark Gregg's fan-favorite character Agent Phil Coulson would be appearing (despite the pilot of 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' taking place after the film, wherein Coulson apparently perished) and now fans can cross their fingers for an appearance by Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill.

While Cobie Smulders, who has the most unfortunate name in Hollywood, is already signed on to reprise the Hill role in the upcoming 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' the negotiations with ABC for the series are an entirely different can of super-heroics. Recently, IAmRogue caught up with Smulders and asked her about the possibility of appearing in the 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' pilot.

"The commitments to ['How I Met Your Mother'] don't affect it," Smulders assured, continuing to say "there are definite talks about it... I will do Maria Hill until they fire me and hire someone else to do it."

So it certainly sounds as though Smulders is open to the opportunity, should the script call for Hill's appearance.

Although many have speculated that the potential television series would serve as a prequel to The Avengers, ABC president Paul Lee has denied that claim and stated that S.H.I.E.L.D. will occur in a post-Avengers world. "There is no question that it is part of the Marvel Universe," Lee said during the Television Critics Association winter press tour. "In fact, the story takes place after the battle for New York."

Smulders has appeared on 'How I Met Your Mother' as Robin since the series' inception. If there is any justice, 'How I Met Your Mother' will end very soon, freeing up Smulders to pursue such a project. However despite the impressive cast assembled and the massive Hollywood crossover tie-in, 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' has yet to be picked up as a series; it remains at the pilot stage. Time will tell if this latest Joss Whedon project goes the way of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' or falls short of even 'Dollhouse.'