Agents Of SHIELD EP Comments On Ward's Return Theory

04/29/2017 09:39 am EDT

Agents of SHIELD executive producer Jed Whedon has cast some doubt on the idea that Brett Dalton and BJ Britt may have their returns to the Marvel Television series extended.

When last week's episode of Agents of SHIELD, "All the Madame's Men," revealed that AIDA planned to create a new human body for herself and download her virtual consciousness from the Framework into it, some fans believed that provided a loophole for the virtual versions of dead characters Grant Ward and Antoine Triplett to return to the real world.

Whedon says that's technically possible, but not really a direction the show is interesting in heading in.

"Yeah, well, I mean in theory," Whedon tells Entertainment Weekly. "Our story didn't [go there.] There are rules for that because thankfully we can do anything."

It seems like Dalton and Britt's returns to Agents of SHIELD will remain limited engagements, likely ending if and when the series regulars figure a way out of the Framework.

Dalton returned as Ward in a surprise twist at the end of Agents of SHIELD's "LMD" story arc. Ward had previously died in Agents of SHIELD's third season when Phil Coulson used his robotic arm to crush Ward's chest on the planet Maveth. Ward's body was then possessed by the Inhuman demigod Hive and returned to Earth. Hive was defeated through Lincoln Campbell's sacrifice when he exploded a Quinjet as it drifted into outer space.

Trip died in Agents of SHIELD's second season after being exposed to Terrigen in the Inhuman temple where Daisy and Raina underwent Terrigenesis.

In next week's episode of Agents of SHIELD, "Farewell, Cruel World!" the clock is ticking for Daisy and Simmons to get the team out of the Framework, but not everyone is ready and willing to leave.

Agents of SHIELD airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns with a vengeance for the fourth exciting season in an all new time period, Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET. In the aftermath of their journey to another planet, Director Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and the rest of the team were driven more than ever to put an end to the Hydra organization. Little did they know that they were up against the deadliest threat they've ever faced – an extremely powerful Inhuman, Hive, who was transported back from Maveth in the body of their worst enemy, Grant Ward. The team was able to thwart and kill Hive and take down Hydra, but they are all still mourning the death of fellow agent and Inhuman, Lincoln Campbell.

MORE: Coulson Explains The Framework to May In New Agents of SHIELD Clip / Marvel Is Hopeful For Agents Of SHIELD Season 5 Renewal / Agents Of SHIELD Showrunner Discusses Shocking Death

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