ABC have officially greenlit a pilot for a new live-action Avengers spin-off series based on Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. with Joss Whedon co-writing the script with his brother Jed and sister –in-law Maurissa Tancharoen.

It remains to be seen if Avengers director and fan favourite Joss Whedon will also take over directing responsibilities for the new series, for the pilot or beyond. But production is due to start immediately. It marks Whedon’s return to the small screen following in the proud footsteps of Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Dollhouse.

It’s also unclear which of the many Marvel superhero characters would feature in the series and exactly how it would integrate with the existing movie franchise.