Most Wanted (TV pilot)

Most Wanted
Genre
Created by
Based on
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Jeffrey Bell
  • Paul Zbyszewski
  • Jeph Loeb
  • Jim Chory
Production company(s)
Distributor Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Release
Original network ABC
Picture format 720p (HDTV)
Audio format 5.1 surround sound
Chronology
Related shows Marvel Cinematic Universe television series

Marvel's Most Wanted, or simply Most Wanted, is an unaired American television pilot created for ABC by Jeffrey Bell and Paul Zbyszewski, based on the Marvel Comics characters Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films and other television series of the franchise, and is a spin-off of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The pilot, written by Bell and Zbyszewski and directed by Billy Gierhart, was produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.

The pilot revolves around the characters of Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter, ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and ex-spouses on the run, trying to uncover a conspiracy against them, while forming an uneasy alliance with Dominic Fortune. Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood reprised their roles from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Morse and Hunter, respectively, while Delroy Lindo starred as Fortune. Fernanda Andrade and Oded Fehr also starred in the pilot.

A television series featuring Mockingbird (Morse) entered development for ABC Family in July 2011, though it never materialized. The character subsequently appeared in the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. along with Hunter, and plans for a spin-off of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. centered on the duo, with Palicki and Blood attached, began in April 2015. The series would have been based on storylines occurring at the end of that second season, though ABC passed on the project. In August 2015, the series, reinvented as Most Wanted, received a pilot order, with Lindo joining in January 2016. The pilot was passed on once again in May 2016.

Premise

Ex-spies and ex-spouses Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter are on the run trying to uncover a conspiracy against them without any help from S.H.I.E.L.D. This leads them to form an uneasy alliance with rogue adventurer Dominic Fortune and Christina Santos in order to survive.[1][2]

Cast and characters

Hunter's ex-wife and a former agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.,[3] who "believes in the universe and things happening for a reason".[4] Palicki knew of the character due to her status as Mockingbird, an Avenger, in the comics, but said that the writers put "their own spin on" the MCU version of the character.[4] Blood said of Hunter's influence on Morse, "You see how he's willing to ignore the rules and regulations to get the right thing done. Sometimes, Bobbi needs that kick up the backside to send her in that direction. By the same token, Hunter needs Bobbi's rationale sometimes to make sure he doesn't get in trouble again."[5]
Morse's ex-husband, a former mercenary and agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who is "a bit of an outsider, bit of a rogue, not really sure where his loyalties lies."[6][4] The character was not initially conceived as an adaptation of the Hunter from the comics, with that decision coming "a bit later".[4] Executive producer Jeffrey Bell noted that for the character, "laws are kind of suggestions, and if he’s with them he’ll follow them, and he’s always been much more a loyalist to the guy in the trenches than to any ideology".[7] Palicki added that Hunter "fundamentally believes that you make things happen yourself, and you get what you want when you want it."[4]
A "rogue adventurer with a wealth of resources and even more adversaries" than Morse and Hunter. He and his niece Christina Santos agree to protect Morse and Hunter in exchange for those two's help with their agenda.[8][1][2]
A "tough-as-nails woman of mystery" and Fortune's niece. She and Fortune work together, appearing to aide Morse and Hunter while furthering their own agenda.[2] Santos has "some history" with Hunter, meant to "unfold as we watch the show". Andrade called Santos "tough" and "a badass" and added that "She has these really special skills. She just kind of knows how to work things, like weapons and cars."[9]

Production

Development

At San Diego Comic-Con International 2011, head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb announced the series Mockingbird was in development at ABC Family. The series, which was described as "Alias meets Felicity", would feature Bobbi Morse as a freshman science major at "a prestigious university in the Silicon Valley... [until h]er life changes when she is recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. and is forced to become a student by day and a super spy by night."[10] By March 2012, Mockingbird was still in development, with Loeb saying, "as with anything that you’re doing, particularly when you’re starting up a brand new entity [(Marvel Television)], things take time and [Marvel] want[s] to make sure we get it right."[11]

At San Diego Comic-Con International 2014, Morse was revealed to be appearing in the second season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., while Nick Blood was announced as cast in the role of Lance Hunter,[6] a series regular for the season.[12] In August 2014, Adrianne Palicki was cast as Morse in a guest role,[13] and later promoted to series regular with the season two episode "Aftershocks".[14][3]

By April 2015, Marvel was developing a spin-off series to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The series, which was being developed by Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. showrunner Jeffrey Bell and writer Paul Zbyszewski, would be based on storylines occurring at the end of the second season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and would receive its own pilot rather than a backdoor pilot.[15] Though Palicki and Blood were reportedly in final discussions to headline the potential new series as their characters Morse and Hunter,[16] ABC passed on the project by May 7, 2015, when they announced their series renewals, cancellations, and pickups.[17] On passing on the intended series, ABC entertainment president Paul Lee said, "We thought the right thing now is to leave [Palicki and Blood] on S.H.I.E.L.D., because S.H.I.E.L.D. is so strong on [sic] the moment," though he did not rule out returning to the spin-off in the future.[18] Blood and Palicki subsequently returned as principal cast members for the third season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[19]

In August 2015, the spin-off series received new life as a reworked series, titled Marvel's Most Wanted, with a pilot order.[20] Bell and Zbyszewski were again developing the series, while also serving as co-writers of the pilot, executive producers, and showrunners.[21] Loeb and Jim Chory were also attached as executive producers.[21][1] The series would still focus on Morse and Hunter, with Palicki and Blood both attached, and was described as "a new take focusing on the same duo and their continuing adventures."[20] In January 2016, Lee stated that the pilot was "absolutely" moving forward, praising the script and saying production would begin "in the next few months."[22] In the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode "Parting Shot", the two characters were written off that series, having them leave and disavow S.H.I.E.L.D. Bell explained that Palicki and Blood had to leave to film the pilot, and "it didn't make sense for us [on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.] to have all these episodes with them and then not have them in two or three episodes, and then go, 'Oh, we were just over here,' and then come back and go away again."[23]

In April 2016, Most Wanted was seen to be "a no-brainer" for a series pick-up by industry insiders.[24] However, it was said to be "cooling" in early May, and "not considered the lock it once was",[25] though the producers were prepping "if-come" orders, "deals with writers that will come into effect in the event a pilot is picked to series".[26] On May 12, 2016, the pilot was passed on by ABC once again.[27] That August, Lee's successor Channing Dungey explained her decision not to pick up Most Wanted, saying that it "did not feel as strong as some of the other pilots that we shot. We talked about it with Marvel and we all came to an agreement that we want to figure out what the next show is that we do together, is something that we all feel is as creatively strong as it can be." However, Dungey said that ABC was open to the series being shopped to another network if Marvel found "another home" for it.[28] Loeb also acknowledged this possibility, but said that the series was designed "to do a very specific thing" alongside S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC.[29]

Writing

With S.H.I.E.L.D., there’s more of a clear line between the good guys and the bad guys and between protocol and going off grid. Whereas in the Most Wanted world, it’s all shades of gray and judgment calls have to be made.

—Nick Blood on the different moral code of the spin-off.[4]

Bell and Zbyszewski worked together on Morse and Hunter's storyline for the third season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., preparing them to move over to the spin-off,[30] with Bell explaining that it would set up Most Wanted by defining exactly who the characters are, such as Hunter and his lack of loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. and to ideologies—"nothing specific about the show, it’s just who Hunter is."[7]

Bell compared Most Wanted to Angel, a spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and stated that "at the heart of" the series would be the question, "What's the metaphor of the relationship that's going to dramatize over the course of the episode versus the larger machinations of the world that S.H.I.E.L.D. find themselves in? In some ways it's a more intimate show because of that."[23] Speaking on the tone of the pilot, Palicki said, "it’s a little less based ... in the mythology of the Marvel world and more about these two characters, and how they drive each other, and their adventures, like a Mr. and Mrs. Smith-type." Blood added, "It’s exploring how you make a relationship work with the backdrop of all this crazy stuff that goes on when you live in the world that they live in." Regarding that relationship, Palicki remarked that the differences in their views and beliefs would be "a big through line throughout the entire show", and stated that having Morse and Hunter work for Fortune would test both of their morals, with Blood saying, "I imagine Hunter’s had a bit more experience with that, where the line to cross is a bit fluid. It might take Bobbi a bit more to adapt to that."[4]

Casting

In April 2015, Palicki and Blood were reportedly in final discussions to headline the potential new series,[16] and it was confirmed they were attached to Most Wanted that August with the pilot order, reprising their Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. roles as Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter, respectively.[21][20] In January 2016, Delroy Lindo was cast as Dominic Fortune,[8] and by that March, Oded Fehr and Fernanda Andrade were also cast in the pilot, as a "well-known character" from the comics and Christina Santos, respectively.[2]

Filming

Filming on the pilot took place in early 2016,[22] beginning following production of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode "Parting Shot", and was completed by late March.[23] Billy Gierhart directed the episode,[23] with Bell and Zbyszewski writing it.[21] Christine Bieselin Clark served as costume designer for the pilot.[31]

Marvel Cinematic Universe tie-ins

On potential crossovers with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bell said in March 2016, in reference to the way Hunter and Morse were written off of that series, "We want to be clear we're telling a different type of story, and in doing so, you don't want to be telling a story where you go, "Why don't they call Coulson? He can fix this easily," because that line's been cut. Not that you can't bring them back someday or have someone from S.H.I.E.L.D. show up on this show, but it's really setting up a different [part of the] universe".[23] Blood described the situation as "they're on their own, they can make up their own rules, just turn the phones on airplane mode and ignore the calls from back home".[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2016 ABC Pilots". Deadline.com. February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Oded Fehr and Fernanda Andrade Join 'Marvel's Most Wanted'". Marvel.com. March 25, 2016. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Khatchatourian, Maane (February 14, 2015). "'Agents of SHIELD' Promotes Adrianne Palicki to Series Regular". Variety. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Abrams, Natalie (March 23, 2016). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Adrianne Palicki, Nick Blood on that emotional exit". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Bucksbaum, Sydney (March 18, 2016). "How Will 'Agents of SHIELD' Set Up Spinoff 'Marvel's Most Wanted'?". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Abrams, Natalie (July 25, 2014). "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Reveals New Characters, Carter Adds Captain Directors". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Lovett, Jamie (October 27, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. EP Talks Secret Warriors, Civil War, Last Week's Shocking Death & More". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 26, 2016). "'Marvel's Most Wanted' ABC Pilot Casts Delroy Lindo As Dominic Fortune". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ Huver, Scott (April 22, 2016). ""Marvel's Most Wanted" Co-Star Andrade Promises An "Unpredictable" Series". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  10. ↑ Daniels, Hunter (July 23, 2011). "Comic-Con: Marvel TV Announces Development Slate; Includes Live-Action AKA Jessica Jones (Alias), The Hulk, Cloak And Dagger, Mockingbird, Animated Hulk And The Agents Of S.M.A.S.H., More". Collider. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ Radish, Christina (March 20, 2012). "Head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb Gives Updates on The Incredible Hulk, AKA Jessica Jones and The Punisher TV Series". Collider. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Learn How Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Begins Its Second Season". Marvel.com. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  13. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (August 19, 2014). "'Agents of SHIELD' Enlists Adrianne Palicki as Marvel Favorite (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Declassifying Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Aftershocks". Marvel.com. February 13, 2015. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  15. ↑ Hibberd, James (April 9, 2015). "Marvel developing Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff for ABC -- exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2015). "Adrianne Palick & Nick Blood Eyed To Topline Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Spinoff". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2015). "'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Spinoff Not Going Forward At ABC". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  18. ↑ Hibberd, James; Abrams, Natalie (May 12, 2015). "Why ABC didn't make the Agents of SHIELD spinoff". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  19. ↑ Lovett, Jaimie (May 12, 2015). "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3 Synopsis Revealed". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 Goldberg, Lesley (August 20, 2015). "Adrianne Palicki, Nick Blood to Star in Marvel Pilot for ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Wagmeister, Elizabeth (August 20, 2015). "Marvel's Mockingbird Series Starring Adrianne Palicki Lands ABC Pilot Order (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  22. 1 2 Schwartz, Terri (January 9, 2016). "Marvel's Most Wanted Going to Pilot at ABC". IGN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Schwartz, Terri (March 22, 2016). "Agents of SHIELD EP Jeff Bell on Mockingbird and Hunter Departure and Marvel's Most Wanted". IGN. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 29, 2016). "PILOTS 2016: Pre-Screenings Buzz Edition". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  25. ↑ Goldberg, Leslie (May 2, 2016). "10 TV Pilots Likely to Score Series Pickups". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  26. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 10, 2016). "'Time After Time' Among Pilots Making Tentative Writers Deals As Field Narrows". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  27. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 12, 2016). "'Marvel's Most Wanted' Not Going Forward at ABC". Variety. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  28. ↑ Topel, Fred (August 4, 2016). "Why ABC Passed on 'Marvel's Most Wanted' and 'Agent Carter' Season 3 [TCA 2016]". /Film. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  29. ↑ Topel, Fred (August 8, 2016). "Marvel TV's Jeph Loeb on Fox's "Reimagined" 'Hellfire Club' Series, 'Cloak and Dagger', and More [TCA 2016]". /Film. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ Schwartz, Terri (January 9, 2016). "Agents of SHIELD Showrunners Explain Marvel's Most Wanted Spinoff Plan". IGN. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  31. ↑ Carinacas, Peter (March 15, 2016). "Agencies Book Artisans on 'Thor: Ragnarok,' 'Sugar Queen,' 'Chagrin Falls' and 'Bunker Hill'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
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