Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has some very big plans coming up for the second half of its first season. It's previously been reported that Bill Paxton will be on the show for at least four upcoming episodes starting in March, and just last week we learned that Thor's Jaimie Alexander would be appearing on the show in a guest role as Sif. But now even more details have been announced that should get every comic book fan out there excited. The Television Critics Association panel for the series was held earlier today, and it was revealed both that Mike Peterson (J. August Richards) will be transformed into the cyborg assassin known as Deathlok in the episode airing next week and the reason why Sif is coming to Earth to work with Coulson and his team.
Fans will remember that the last time we saw Mike Peterson he was on a hospital bed missing a leg and dealing with the fact that he has a someone controlling him through a cybernetic eye. Well, it turns out that things are only going to get worse for him. Marvel has revealed that Mike will be transformed into Deathlok in the next episode of S.H.I.E.L.D., which will be titled "T.R.A.C.K.S." The comic book villain has never been portrayed before in live-action - be it on television or in film - but this announcement couldn't come at a better time, as the character also happens to be celebrating his 40th anniversary (he was first introduced in 1974). You can read the official description of the new version of Deathlok below:
Transformed into the cybernetic solider against his will, Mike Peterson (J. August Richards) must struggle to find the man in the machine. With a high-tech eye that allows him to see through walls, super strength and increased speed courtesy of a cybernetic leg, will Deathlok fight alongside the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or against them?
Said Executive Producer Jeffrey Bell about the development, "We have been waiting all season for this moment where we can reveal that Mike Peterson's story arc is an origin story. We're thrilled to have J. August Richards playing Deathlok and to have our audience enjoy this favorite Marvel character on the show."
We'll have to wait a few more weeks to see Jaimie Alexander's appearance on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but Marvel has certainly done an effective job teasing us and getting us ready:
For those unfamiliar with the character, Lorelei is an Asgardian similar to Thor and Sif, and is best known for her ability to seduce any male, god or mortal (which could explain why Sif would be sent after her instead of just getting the God of Thunder to do it). According to IGN, who was present at the TCA presentation, actress Elena Satine - who has some comic book television experience, having appeared in an episode of Smallville - has been hired to play the role of Lorelei.
Are you excited to see Deathlok, Sif and Lorelei on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
