Joss Whedon's 'S.H.I.E.L.D.': Clark Gregg resurrects Phil Coulson

Clark Gregg will reprise his role as agent Phil Coulson in Joss Whedon's upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D., the television spinoff of his blockbuster "The Avengers."

The news was confirmed today (Oct. 14) at Marvel's TV panel at New York Comic-Con, where Gregg made a surprise appearance. The actor has played Coulson in "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," "Thor" and "The Avengers."

Although Coulson (spoiler alert!) heroically died in "The Avengers," Whedon -- who also delighted fans by joining the Comic-Con panel -- Marvel TV boss Jeph Loeb insisted his role won't be limited to flashbacks. 

Sporting a "Coulson lives" T-shirt, Feige said, "There was never going to be a 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' show without Agent Phil Coulson!"

And Whedon added, "He's headlining the S.H.I.E.L.D. show -- and always was."