Agent Coulson Won't Appear in Avengers: Age of Ultron; Will Likely Appear in Avengers 3

The relationship between S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson was key to the development of the Avengers as a team in Marvel's The Avengers, in that his death was the catalyst for the group finally coming together to defeat Loki and his army.

And while that death didn't last long (he was already back on television around the time The Avengers came out on Blu-ray), its impact will apparently continue to be felt by Earth's Mightiest Heroes, as the team won't find out he's still alive and running a new, slimmed-down version of S.H.I.E.L.D. until at least Avengers 3.

That's according to the new issue of Total Film, on stands now, that says not to expect Coulson to show up in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and to look forward to his arc being resolved in the planned third film in the series.

Coulson will appear in the upcoming second season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Avengers: Age of Ultron is due in theaters May 1, 2015.