Viewers shouldn't be surprised if most of the events leading up to Captain America: The Winter Soldier are either teased or revealed in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fool contributor Tim Beyers says in the following video.
We can't know for sure, of course. But in a recent interview with TV Guide, series star Clark Gregg was asked if he could envision a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie. His response? "Ask me again after I've seen Captain America 2."
The implication: Winter Soldier is, in a way, an expanded version of S.H.I.E.L.D., but featuring the agency's biggest characters (i.e., Cap, Black Widow, and Anthony Mackie's Falcon) and an even bigger conspiracy. Walt Disney (DIS 0.30%) investors should be excited by the prospect.
At the very least, Tim says, a close tie-in with Winter Soldier might help satisfy critics who say the show doesn't move fast enough or feature big enough elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It would also jibe with reports that Jaimie Alexander's Lady Sif from Thor: The Dark World is set to appear in a forthcoming episode.
In short, Tim says all signs point to a strong end to what's been a teeter-totter of a first season for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which has seen average viewership drift from 12.1 million for the pilot to a season-low 6.1 million for episode 10 ("The Bridge") and 6.6 million for episode 13 ("T.R.A.C.K.S.").
Now it's your turn to weigh in. How do you see Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. tying into Captain America: The Winter Soldier? Will it be as explicit as Tim expects? Please watch the video to get his full take and then leave a comment to let us know where you stand and whether you would buy, sell, or short Disney stock at current prices.
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson and Brett Dalton as Agent Grant Ward. Credits: Marvel Studios and ABC Television.
