Out of all the shows in development right now, none have a greater chance of getting a series order than ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ on ABC. With Marvel and Joss Whedon teaming up once again, how could they fail, right? But just for a moment, imagine if it didn’t get picked up. It’s tough, but use your imagination. In the unlikely event that that happens, what would happen to Agent Phil Coulson? The man behind the character weighs in on the possibility.

While at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival to promote his latest (and incredibly amazing) movie ‘Trust Me’, which the versatile actor wrote, directed, and stars in, Clark Gregg spoke to Crave Online about his upcoming Marvel pilot. To start with, he addressed whether or not Coulson would be a series regular or just a reoccurring guest:

“I can’t predict the future but it certainly looks that way. It’s Agent Coulson’s world and everyone else is just living in it.”

Next, he was asked whether we would be seeing the same old Coulson we’ve come to know and love from his various Phase One appearances:

“Well, I don’t know how he could be the same old Coulson given that last time we saw him in The Avengers, he was not in good shape. Same old Coulson? I don’t know, remains to be seen. You’re trying to get me killed by all the Marvel spy satellites. Yes. It’s a world of post-Avengers and it’s a world where Coulson is in better shape than last we saw him. I think in a world post-Avengers where the public is aware of superheroes beyond Tony Stark and the world of Thor and aliens coming through time portals, there’s a lot of business for S.H.I.E.L.D.”

Finally, Gregg was asked what would happen in the event that the show doesn’t go past the pilot phase, to which he responded:

“I don’t know. They haven’t told me [if the show’s been picked up]. Honestly, they haven’t told me the answer yet. I certainly would be sad if it didn’t because I have a feeling it would mean that Coulson didn’t live anymore. But yeah, I think we made a good pilot. Joss knows what he’s doing, and other writers, his brother Jed and Jed’s wife Maurissa are amazing. I think we’ve got a shot.”

How tragic would that be?! With no ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, Coulson would stay dead! Considering all the hard work that it took to bring him back, if the show doesn’t make it, then it was all for naught. How Agent Coulson came back to life is one of the biggest mysteries of the world right now, so hopefully the TV gods allow it to be revealed to us.

What do you think will happen to Agent Phil Coulson if ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ doesn’t get picked up? Do you think that Joss Whedon will rework him into the movies somehow? Would you rather him appear in a series of shorts to reintroduce him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Share your theories in the comments below.