Although the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. protagonists were able to stop Jiaying and her Inhuman followers in the Season 2 finale, it came at a cost for Phil Coulson, who was able to catch a falling Terrigen crystal before it shattered, but it immediately began petrifying him. This forced his ally Mack to take an axe to Coulson’s hand, so that the effects wouldn’t spread any further. Needless to say, Coulson will be wearing some kind of prosthesis when the show returns in the fall, but series lead Clark Gregg believes that his character may get to wear several hands during the next season.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Comicbook.com asked Gregg about an Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3 poster, released shortly before the convention, that showed Coulson with a black gloved hand. While he hasn’t heard any specifics yet, Gregg pointed out that this may not be the only hand that Coulson is wearing during Season 3. In his words:
That may be a temporary hand. That may be a placeholder hand. Or it may have some powers. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be seeing new models. That’s my hope.
In case you didn’t see this poster that they’re talking about, take a look at Coulson wearing his new appendage alongside the rest of the main characters. As the outlet noted, it closely resembles Luke Skywalker’s cybernetic hand in Return of the Jedi.
Despite S.H.I.E.L.D. not wielding the same influence following the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the clandestine organization still has a fair amount of resources at its disposal. So Coulson will be able to secure something that’s more technologically advanced than your average prosthetic. Again, Gregg isn’t sure exactly what the deal is with his replacement hand, but it would be interesting if it has extra features attached.
Obviously the main priority is him being to use it like a normal hand, but imagine if it could lock-pick, shoot lasers, scan an area for danger, etc. Although honestly, part of me wishes he would go old school and wear a classic hook. Think about it: Coulson out in the field with his agents with that pirate flair. Actually, never mind, that may be a bit too absurd, though Nick Fury does wear an eyepatch.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3 will debut this fall on Tuesday, September 29 on ABC.
