Joss Whedon will co-write and possibly direct a live-action "S.H.I.E.L.D." pilot for ABCDeadline reports that Joss Whedon's rumored Marvel-themed TV project just got official. ABC has ordered a live-action pilot for "S.H.I.E.L.D." from Whedon, who will co-write and possibly direct.

News of a possible Marvel TV project for Whedon came following the announcement that he would return to direct "The Avengers 2," the sequel to the blockbuster "The Avengers" which has earned an estimated $617 million since its May 4 release. Signing on as director was actually part of a larger exclusive deal with Disney, Marvel's parent company, that would also see him develop a Marvel TV project.

Fans of Marvel Studios' films know that S.H.I.E.L.D., which stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, was first introduced in 2008's "Iron Man" and the organization's role has continued to grow in successive films. Both S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and fan-favorite Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) played critical roles in "The Avengers," making the project a logical choice for Whedon.

Whedon will co-write with his brother, Jed Whedon ("Spartacus: Vengeance"), and Maurissa Tancharoen ("Spartacus: Gods of the Arena"), both of whom also worked on Whedon's "Dollhouse" series at Fox. "S.H.I.E.L.D." marks Joss Whedon's return to television where he created the critically acclaimed "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel," "Firefly" and "Dollhouse."

Production on "S.H.I.E.L.D." will begin immediately, but there are no further details regarding casting for Marvel TV's first live-action project.

Stay tuned to CBR News for more news on "S.H.I.E.L.D."