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EXCLUSIVE: Joss Whedon has recruited ER alumna Ming-Na Wen for one of the leads in his ABC drama pilot Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D., which he is co-writing and directing. The project, from Marvel TV and ABC TV Studios, is based on a peacekeeping group found in both the comic book and feature film universes, including the blockbuster 2012 movie The Avengers. Ming-Na will play Agent Melinda May. Soulful and slightly damaged by her combat experiences, Melinda is an ace pilot, a weapons expert and a soldier who can — and has — gone beyond the call of duty. The character was originally listed on the pilot’s casting breakdown as Agent Althea Rice, aka The Cavalry. Ming-Na is the second actor cast in S.H.I.E.L.D., joining Clark Gregg, who is reprising his Iron Man, Thor and Avengers role as Agent Phil Coulson.
Whedon is co-writing the pilot script with his brother Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. The three executive produce with Jeffrey Bell and Marvel TV’s Jeph Loeb. Ming-Na, who is reverting to her full name, Ming-Na Wen, comes to S.H.I.E.L.D. with solid sci-fi credentials after recent stints on Syfy’s Eureka and Stargate Universe. She is repped by Innovative Artists, KLWGN and Jackoway Tyerman.
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Loved her since THE JOY LUCK CLUB. Go Ming-Na. Kudos to Joss!
Me too! I’m so happy for her.
Awesome News..I bet ABC will monkey this up and it will be canceled quickly . But I’m hoping for the best.
Diversity for the w1n! Ming-Na is great. She was also great on the short-lived SGU. Looking forward to seeing her in this show.
We have never heard of this person before. We were hoping that most of the Whedon Alums would be cast in the roles. We would rather have more new episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer instead!
We? You have a mouse in your pocket? I’ve heard of her, watched her on TV even. And no, we don’t want any more Buffy.
We love Buffy though!
Hey crazy Princess – why not go back to watching reality tv, cause Ming Na was in 118 episodes of ER, one of the best shows on TV, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, a great film and one of the first big studio film featuring Asian American women as the main leads, as well as other well known films and TV.
She’s talented and beautiful and a great casting choice. So why don’t you shut-the-f-up.
Please tell me you’re joking…
Dude, that is the voice of mulan! you show some respect!
We? Are the voices in you head speaking collectively or are you a lost member of Royalty? Ming-Na has had a remarkably stable and varied career. I’d say this is a perfect pairing.
Please. Don’t be obnoxious. And good riddance to some of the Whedon alums. If Fran Kranz gets cast in this, I’m not watching.
I am hoping “The Calvary” is a typo, because I am also hoping for a distinct lack of crucifixions in this series.
Diana is clearly speaking for the many voices inside her head.
Ming-Na has been on various television shows for over twenty years. Diana clearly lives under a rock.
And don’t forget she’s the voice of Mulan!
She was also chung lee in the street fighter movie that stared jean claud van dam.
I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time. It always seemed to me criminal that she didn’t get bigger and better roles. She is terrific, talented and beautiful.
So I’m the only one who thinks she’s a downright terrible actress, then? I mean even her voice work sounds forced. Really disappointed by this news. Oh well. Maybe she’ll die spectacularly early on, Whedon does like to do that.
I like Ming Na, I thought she was really good on Stargate; however, I can’t buy her as a tough ‘charge to the rescue’ solider. Fine if you want diversity and female characters but a 50 year old 5 foot 4 hundred pound woman as the bad ass military person doesn’t just stretch credibility it stretches it beyond the limits of even Reed Richards (see used a Marvel reference there).
So what you are basically saying is that she’s bigger and more intimidating than Tom Cruise?
Gotta laugh at the crucifixion-fearing dude that hoped “‘Calvary’ is a typo”… the article clearly says CAValry! tee-hee… I’m liking this choice of actor! Looking forward to the slow and enticing announcements of other team players!
Ming-Na and Joss Whedon together??? There is a Santa Claus after all Charlie Brown!!!:)))))
PS–You Ming Na newbies ain’t got nothin’ on me–I have been a fan of her’s since she was on As The World Turns.
She was Chun Li in the terrible (guilty pleasre-ing) Street Fighter starring Jean Claude Van Damme. I like her though. She is going to killed it.
Welcome to the Whedonverse, Ming-Na !
Good that greater diversity is noted with this casting. Hopefully it will also bring attention to Lucy Lou’s upcoming TV show.
People should be aware of her from her greatest success generally between 1993-1995+. Her work followed a similar path followed by other Joy Luck Club stars such as Lauren Tom, Rosalyn Chao and Tamilyn Tomita.
Glad that Ming NA and her husband Eric Zee (lovingly described himself as “Mr. Ming NA” at a MANAA Award event many years ago) concluded their attempt at music management with their vocal group “At Last.”
It is interesting that a television series based on comic book heroes is labeled a “drama.”
I love all of those actresses! However, I think that Ming-Na has the highest-level of exposure post Joy Luck Club as compared to her co-stars. However, Rosalyn Chao had a recurring role on Star Trek: TNG and Star Trek: DSN.
This is how Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Stallone & others who are short & older hold it down… I don’t think you’ve been to battle, or you’d know logically height, sex, race, sexuality & age have nothing to do with battleground skill… It’s all training. Ths too is true of actors trained to be action stars.. A few months of training and anyone can be, or look like, a real soldier too. How about you, keyboard ninja? When’s the last ime you had a shape other than ouch potato? Enough said….
“I like Ming Na, I thought she was really good on Stargate; however, I can’t buy her as a tough ‘charge to the rescue’ solider. Fine if you want diversity and female characters but a 50 year old 5 foot 4 hundred pound woman as the bad ass military person doesn’t just stretch credibility it stretches it beyond the limits of even Reed Richards (see used a Marvel reference there).”
Who said anything about race or sexuality? And yes I’ve actually been in a battle. I was in the Army, 4th Infantry, for 8 years and I can tell you height and age play a huge part. I never said a 5 foot 50 year old woman couldn’t serve in the military, but they aren’t combat specialists just as some 6 foot 5 muscle bound body builder wouldn’t be appropriate either.
Since this is likely the last season of “How I Met Your Mother,” I suspect Cobie Smulders will wind up in “SHIELD” if it gets picked up to season.