‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Reveals Details of “The Asset”: Is Graviton the Show’s First Supervillain?
Much as we want Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' to stand on the strength of its original characters rather than fall back on big Marvel names and references from week to week, there's no denying the thrill of learning a major comic character will be brought to life in live-action. 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' has officially released details of its third episode, "The Asset," revealing 'Luck' star Ian Hart's role as major Marvel supervillain Dr. Franklin Hall, better known as Graviton!
In addition to "The Asset"s press description, revealing the news of Hart, the text also offers up 'Ghost Whisperer' vet David Conrad's role as "Ian Quinn," a name that doesn't seem to ring any Marvel bells that we're aware of. Meanwhile, the third episode will see the 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' on a mission to rescue Franklin Hall, but what about the synopsis has us thinking the character will serve up some major menace in the future?
"The Asset" – When the brilliant scientist, Dr. Franklin Hall, is kidnapped, Agent Coulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents must race against the clock to locate him. Skye is their only way in--pushing the team to their limits when the entire plan turns upside-down.
Guest starring are Ian Hart as Dr. Franklin Hall, David Conrad as Ian Quinn, Josh Cowdery as Agent Tyler, Bodie Newcomb as Agent Mack, Scott Subiono as Todd Chesterfield, Vachik Mangassarian as Qasim Zaghlul, Assaf Cohen as translator, Brandon Molale as Quinn’s main guard.
Upside down, you say? Hmm. For those unaware of the character's Marvel history, Franklin Hall has been written as a physicist involved in an experiment wherein a mistake in calculations causes graviton particles to merge with his own molecules, and bestow the ability to mentally control gravity. Hall eventually adopted the alias "Graviton," and went on to battle the Avengers at numerous points, though it remains to be seen how far 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.''s incarnation will progress in his appearances.
While we await the September 24 premiere, we know that Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ features a cast that includes Clark Gregg as a resurrected Phil Coulson, Ming-Na as badass Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Iain de Caestecker and Elizabeth Henstridge as Leo Fitz and Gemma Simmons, and Chloe Bennet as hacker Skye. Cobie Smulders has also been confirmed to return as Maria Hill for the pilot at least.
Samuel L. Jackson previously stated that he expected to be involved with the show in some small capacity, while Tom Hiddleston and Sam Rockwell are game to reprise their Marvel Cinematic Universe roles of Loki and Justin Hammer, respectively, something of which we’ve analyzed the likelihood in depth.
As if that weren't enough, listen to Joss Whedon go in depth about Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' in the interview below, and tell us in the comments what you want to see from next week's premiere!