S.H.I.E.L.D.Assignment X has posted more detailed quotes from Joss Whedon's recent appearance at a special screening of "The Avengers," including a description of how Coulson's death came about and briefly teasing why he plans to bring the character back on "S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Coulson's death was mandated in the first meeting by Kevin Feige," said Whedon. "I can't say that enough times. Apparently I have some kind of reputation that we won't discuss right now, but I do love to kill people. Clark himself said when we were shooting that it was obvious that it had to happen, otherwise all of this becomes irresponsible. There's no toll or actual downside to this very bad idea of bringing all of these people together. As a film it's just irresponsible. That's why we're bringing him back for a 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' series."

STAR WARS EPISODE VIIAccording to the most recent issue of Empire Magazine (excerpt posted by Comic Book Movie), "Star Trek Into Darkness" director J.J. Abrams was offered the director's chair for "Star Wars Episode VII" and turned it down.

"There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to 'Star Trek,' and also just being a fan, I wouldn't even want to be involved in the next version of those things," Abrams I declined any involvement very early on. I'd rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them."

Opens 2015

DOCTOR WHOLast night, the "Doctor Who" Christmas special aired with a sneak peak at what to expect from the back half of the season. The BBC released the trailer earlier this morning.

Airs 2013 on BBC America

THE HOBBITWhile "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" recently hit theaters, cast members are already speaking about the follow-up film "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." Unfortunately, although fans will see "Sherlock" co-stars Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch interact on screen eventually as Bilbo Baggins and Smaug the Dragon respectively, the actors didn't get a chance to actually physically interact.

""We weren't in the same room together. If Martin had been there, I would have wanted to play off him, but there are size issues," Cumberbatch told Empire Magazine. "Smaug is bigger than the hobbit - I think I can say that! This isn't the riddles scene. It's slightly different, it's intricate. Smaug doesn't engage with the Hobbit the same way as Smeagol does. Smeagol gets drawn in, whereas Smaug is on much more of an ego trip. He likes to feel dominant at all times, and because of what he's capable of, he is."

Thanks to Comic Book Movie for the heads up.

Opens December 13, 2013

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