When it comes to adapting comic books to the small screen fans have learned keep their expectations reasonable when it comes to the visual effects, especially considering a television shows production budget is significantly smaller than that of a studio blockbuster film. Yet Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has delivered impressive visual effects on a regular basis, an impressive feat considering the number of Inhumans and otherwise enhanced individuals that have made frequent appearances, especially over the previous two seasons.
Now, fresh off introducing Ghost Rider to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel has released a behind-the scenes video detailing the process of bringing Ghost Rider to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Despite a mere three minute run time, the video covers how the character was brought to life through various stages of the episodes production. From visual effects supervisor Mark Kolpack ‘s assessment of the first script to the use of motion capture technology to help animators capture the performance of actor Gabriel Luna, this featurette offers a ton of informative tidbits for fans curious to see what techniques were used to bring Ghost Rider back and better than ever before.
While Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. may not operate on the same budget as its feature film counterparts, the video reveals that the production team behind the show have the same dedication and employ many of the same techniques as their contemporaries. The results speak for themselves as reception to the Marvel Cinematic Universes depiction of Ghost Rider has been largely positive.
In light of the Sokovia Accords, and with Hydra obliterated, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been legitimized again and no longer needs to operate in the shadows. Since the world presumes that Coulson is dead, the organization needed a new Director (Jason O’Mara) to be the face of the organization. Coulson finds himself back in the role as an agent and teamed with Mack (Henry Simmons), and together they are tasked with tracking down and confirming the presence of Enhanced people, aka Inhumans. They have been trying to track down and capture Daisy (Chloe Bennet), aka Quake, who has gone rogue in an attempt to atone for sins from the past. But with the world believing that Daisy is a dangerous outlaw who has taken down banks and bridges, the new Director has no qualms about taking her down for good. Agent May (Ming-Na Wen) is tasked with training specialist strike teams, and Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) have taken a big step forward in their relationship. But with Simmons’ new promotion as Special Advisor to the Director in Science and Technology, Fitz, as well as her former team members, finds it hard to confide in or trust her since she’s now the Director’s confidant.
Robbie Reyes (Gabriel Luna) will roar into the lives of Agent Coulson and the team as a junkyard mechanic who can turn on a dime into the terrifying Ghost Rider. Will Robbie be a friend or foe to S.H.I.E.L.D. – as well as the world, itself? Meanwhile, Fitz discovers that socially awkward genius and friend Dr. Radcliffe (John Hannah) has started putting the finishing touches on a new, secret invention.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. stars Clark Gregg as Director Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Agent Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons and Henry Simmons as Agent Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesday nights at 10:00 PM ET on ABC.
