As someone whose only firsthand experience with the Star Trek franchise comes by virtue of J.J. Abrams‘ two Trek films, I know I’m in over my head when the topic presents itself. When you mention Trek, you’re referencing (either directly or indirectly) a rich legacy filled with peaks and valleys, genre-defining characters and moments, and an international fanbase that rivals any of pop-culture’s most enduring titles. And yet here I am, with two films under my belt (both of which I enjoyed), talking about it. Obviously, I have nothing at stake with regards to Star Trek Into Darkness. Whether you like it or dislike it is of no consequence to me. My only aim today is to extend a humble word of caution to the Trek fans who have years of equity built-up in their beloved franchise: be careful not to dismiss or begrudge it solely because it’s trying to appeal to the largest possible audience. Abrams’ Trek films aren’t above reproach, but they also aren’t void of redeeming qualities. Try to at least acknowledge some of those qualities when tearing into them or risk coming off as someone whose real issue is that a bunch of people now enjoy this thing that you once considered yourself unique for liking.

All preachiness aside, this week’s Top 5 includes several interviews from Star Trek Into Darkness, rumors surrounding Christopher Nolan being approached to direct James Bond 24, the first trailers for Marvel’s new ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a new trailer for Guillermo Del Toro‘s Pacific Rim, and new photos and a video from the set of director Jose Padilha‘s RoboCop remake. If I haven’t lost you yet, a brief recap and link to each of the above can be found after the jump.

Earlier this week, we got our first look at the highly-anticipated new series, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The new series takes place after The Avengers, and has Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) leading a new team of S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives against supernatural forces.  Today, seven more seconds of precious footage have been released, and Coulson announces “Welcome to Level 7″.  Some may wonder, “What is Level 7″?  I wonder if these incredibly brief snippets of footage will be a consistent thing throughout the summer.  If so, that’s incredibly obnoxious.  The people who would watch seven seconds of footage are already going to see the show.  Provide real trailers or keep the show under wraps (I suspect the next major look at the show will come during Comic-Con).

Hit the jump to watch seven seconds of footage because you’re already going to see the show.  The series also stars also stars Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Chloe Bennet.  Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres Tuesdays this fall on ABC. [Update: ABC has released a full 3-minute trailer for the series, which is now included after the jump.]

Earlier today, we got a very brief look at Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and now the full trailer has been released.  The new series takes place after The Avengers, and has Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) leading a new team of S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives against supernatural forces.  Watching the TV spot, I was reminded of Heroes, not in terms of story, but in how far we’ve come in terms of special effects and network TV budgets.  And while there will certainly be some cool action on display, the closing joke is a welcome reminder of Joss Whedon‘s influence.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spot.  The series also stars also stars Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Chloe Bennet.  Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres this fall on ABC.

It’s official!  ABC has given the series order on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Viewers can get their first look at the new series this coming Sunday during the season finale of Once Upon a Time.  Starring Clark Gregg – who reprises his role as Agent Phil Coulson – Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge and Chloe Bennet, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will debut this fall.  Hit the jump for the first official image from the series and for more background on each of the characters.

It’s no secret that Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) didn’t have the best of days in last year’s The Avengers; the real mystery is just how he is going to return to lead Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The ABC series recently wrapped production on its pilot but details on Coulson’s return to action have been locked down.  Steve recently spoke with Gregg at WonderCon about the series but couldn’t get the actor to budge.  Now, however, new information has cropped up that might actually be the answer behind Coulson’s return.  Is it a Coulson Life Model Decoy?  Will Vision be worked into the plot somehow?  Some trickery on behalf of Nick Fury? Or perhaps something no one has thought of yet?

The series also stars Ming-Na Wen, Elizabeth Henstridge, Tain De Caestecker, and Brett Dalton.  Hit the jump for more and keep in mind that major spoilers lie in wait.

As Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series moves through development, the studio and the network (ABC) are trying to figure out the best name for the project.  Right now, they’ve unofficially settled on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.“, which is only slightly less unwieldy than “S.H.I.E.L.D., The Government Organization from the Marvel Movies.  You Know, The One With Coulson and Nick Fury.  Those Guys.”  Perhaps the reason was to provide more distance from FX’s amazing series, The Shield, although I would automatically love S.H.I.E.L.D. is every cold open finished with “Just another daaaaaaaay!”

Hit the jump for the unofficial synopsis for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and click here for Steve’s recent interview with lead actor Clark Gregg from WonderCon.

“Coulson Lives”.  Clark Gregg, who has been doing terrific work throughout his career, finally found a devoted fan following for his beloved performance as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson.  A minor character who still managed to steal scenes with only a few lines, Coulson really got to stand out in The Avengers, and his death left fans reeling.  Then a S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series was announced, and it turned out Coulson wasn’t quite so dead after all.  Fans rejoiced, and while a pilot for the show has been filmed, details are still scarce.  Now that Coulson is back in the world of the living, Gregg spoke with Steve at WonderCon about joining the TV series, how it will explain Coulson’s return, working with a smaller budget, and if Coulson will come back to the movies.  Hit the jump for what he had to say.

In late January, we reported that filming had begun on the pilot for Marvel’s TV series, S.H.I.E.L.D.  Production on the pilot has now wrapped according to co-executive producer Maurissa Tancharoen who is co-showrunning with her husband Jed Whedon.  Joss Whedon co-wrote and directed the pilot, and I’m not surprised that filming has already wrapped since TV tends to shoot quickly.  Although ABC hasn’t officially picked up the series, I would be shocked if it didn’t get an order for at least 13 episodes.  There’s too much talent behind the camera, and too large of a built-in audience.  If The Walking Dead can pull in 13.2 million viewers, imagine what a Marvel series could do.

Hit the jump to check out Tancharoen’s tweeted image of the wrapped production.  S.H.I.E.L.D. stars Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Elizabeth Henstridge, Tain De Caestecker, and Brett Dalton.

Joss Whedon’s S.H.I.E.L.D. series pilot has officially started filming today and the first images and bits of news are already starting to leak out.  Though the series has yet to be ordered to anything beyond the pilot, ABC’s executives are optimistic that the show will become the small-screen version of Marvel’s theatrical success.  In addition to production beginning behind-the-scenes, S.H.I.E.L.D. has also launched a variety of social networking accounts that will allow fans to follow along with the show’s progress.

Starring Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Elizabeth Henstridge, Tain De Caestecker and Brett Dalton, the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot should air on ABC this fall.  Hit the jump for more.

News of ABC bring a S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series to pilot was all well and good, but the inclusion of Clark Gregg’s character Agent Phil Coulson had us scratching our collective heads.  Events that occur in The Avengers would make it rather difficult for Coulson to have a very active role in the series.  This casting announcement led many to believe that the television show would be a prequel or, at the very least, a parallel story to The Avengers.  Now ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee has confirmed that the series occurs after the battle in New York at the end of the Marvel mash-up and that Gregg is still going to be involved as Coulson.  Hit the jump to find out just how that might work.

Chloe Bennet (Nashville) will need to be fitted for either a pantsuit or a uniform.  THR reports that the actress has joined the cast of Marvel’s upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series.  Bennett will play the sixth and final regular on the series.  The show also stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as “gruff rising star” Agent Grant Ward, Elizabeth Henstridge as science whiz Agent Gemma Simmons, and Ian De Caestecker as tech guru Agent Leo Fitz.  Bennet has been cast as Skye, “a confident woman who is slightly obsessed with superhero culture and the shadow organizations that exist within it. She’s edgy and can out-talk anyone with her unflappable nature.”  Since THR doesn’t list her as an agent, perhaps she won’t need a pantsuit or a uniform.  Maybe a t-shirt with Iron Man on it will suffice.

Hit the jump for more.

Joss Whedon is developing (as in writing and directing) a live-action pilot for ABC that will focus on S.H.I.E.L.D., the peacekeeping group known well to viewers of the Avengers and its many tie-in movies, as well as (of course) the Marvel comics.  The team for the covert organization that is the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division is lead by Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson in the films), but Whedon has a whole new cast of characters for the potential television series, which he has teased in the past.  Hit the jump for details.

While Disney and Marvel’s The Avengers has owned movie screens this year, ABC is looking to bring the peacekeepers of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the small screen.  The network (owned by Disney) has greenlit a live-action pilot to showcase the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate (or is it the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division?).  And who better to co-write and possibly direct the pilot than the man behind The Avengers, Joss Whedon himself.  Whedon will of course be spearheading The Avengers 2, as well as being involved with other features in the Marvel universe.  Hit the jump for much more on the first live-action Marvel TV project to be greenlit. [Updated: We've added quotes from Whedon after the jump.]