Plus, check out an exclusive first look at this week’s episode in the video above now.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: It’s been a while since we’ve seen Coulson on our TV screens.
CLARK GREGG:[Laughs] It has!
Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson.Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Studios
When did you find out you were getting to bring him back forWhat If…?
It was before COVID, kind of late fall.
They called and gave me the script, and I went, “Oh, wow.
Okay, this is going to be really cool.”
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.was definitely ahead of the curve when it came to bringing the multiverse to the MCU.
You said it; I didn’t!
What was your reaction when you learned thatAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.wouldn’t be the end for Coulson?
Things didn’t work out so well for some of them in this particular universe.
So I’m really grateful for what we’ve had who’s we?
Me and my character.
Oh my gosh, I’ve lost it.
It’s finally happened.
[Laughs] I snapped.
Oh yeah, people were like, “I saw you onLoki!”
And I was like, “I don’t remember doing that.”
But I think so; I’m glad you think so.
I always think people are going to be like, “This guy again?”
Although this is a slightly different animated version where I think they were very generous.
Tell me more about this animated version of Coulson.
How is he different from what fans may be expecting?
Although it seems like this version of Coulson loves to fangirl over Thor’s “gorgeous” appearance.
Oh my gosh, yes.
[Laughs] So apparently, there is no Chris that I don’t have a huge crush on.
How much fun were you having in the recording booth saying some of those lines?
And I remember when I first was interrogating Thor, I think they finally told me to stop.
There was definitely some improv I was doing that was, “Who are you?
Where are you from, you beautiful WWF wrestler Viking god?”
It’s just hard not to.
What was it like bringing Coulson back in animation after playing him in live-action for so long?
It is different now when I see it.
I wasn’t looking at anything yet.
I remember having a lot of fun, but I don’t think I was looking at anything.
Maybe a few frames here and there.
I was excited by the whole thing.
What did you think when you finally got to see Coulson in animation?
And then there’s the not being dead part, that was pretty cool.
This episode reimagines moments from the firstThorandThe Avengers.What did you love about thisWhat If…?story?
It’s the thrill of seeing the band back together again.
Was this episode giving you major flashbacks to when you were filmingThorandThe Avengers?
What are you excited for fans to see from the episode?
I can’t wait to seeThe Eternals; I can’t wait to seeShang-Chi.
I just love the way they’re expanding [the MCU].
Coulson had such an amazingend onS.H.I.E.L.D.What do you think he’s up to now?
He’s no doubt cruising around in his newly upgraded Lola.
And maybe that show will be announced!
[Laughs] No, I’m just kidding.
There’s no show.
Let’s just break the internet.
If any show could come back from the dead like that, it would beAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
No show ever came back from the dead more than us.
Fittingly, I would say.
And no character has come back from the dead more times than Coulson.
I mean, other than Kenny onSouth Park?
[Laughs] It’s him or me.
Yes, I do.
I follow it like an avid fan.
Is that something it’s possible for you to comment on at this time?
I’ve heard those rumors, that’s the comment I can make.
I’ve heard those rumors.
What If…?debuts new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.
