Marvel One Shots

Marvel One Shots
Directed by	Leythum
Produced by	Kevin Feige Mick Ebeling
Screenplay by	Eric Pearson
Based on	S.H.I.E.L.D. by Stan Lee Jack Kirby
Starring	Clark Gregg Maximiliano Hernández
Music by	Paul Oakenfold
Cinematography	David Myrick
Editing by	Gabriel Britz David Brodie
Studio	Marvel Studios Ebeling Group
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Country	United States
Language	English

Marvel One Shots are a series of direct-to-video short films released by Marvel Studios, set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first Marvel One Shot entitled, The Consultant was released on the Thor Blu-ray on September 13, 2011. A second Marvel One Shot titled A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer is scheduled to be released on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-Ray on October 25, 2011. Both films star Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, offering up self-contained stories about the day in the life of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

The Consultant

Plot

Agent Coulson walks into a restaurant where Agent Sitwell is eating breakfast, and informs him that the World Security Council wishes Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) released from prison to join the Avenger Initiative. As they see him as a war hero, and blame his fight in New York City with Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) on Banner himself. They order S.H.I.E.L.D. to send an agent to ask General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) to release Blonsky into their custody. The two agents decide to send a patsy to sabotage the meeting, so Ross will refuse to release Blonsky. At Sitwell's urging, Coulson reluctantly sends the consultant: Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). As partially depicted in the post-credits scene of The Incredible Hulk, a disgraced Ross sits drinking in a bar, when he is approached by Stark, who ends up annoying Ross so much that Ross tries to have him removed from the bar. In reply, Stark buys the bar, and schedules it for demolition. The next day at the restaurant, Sitwell arrives to Coulson eating breakfast. Coulson informs him that their plan worked, and that Blonsky will remain in prison.^[1]

Cast

• Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson^[2]
• Maximiliano Hernández as Jasper Sitwell

Robert Downey, Jr. and William Hurt appear in archived footage from The Incredible Hulk as Tony Stark and General Ross, respectively.^[1] Abomination briefly appears, animated by Rhythm and Hues and voiced by Tim Roth.^[1]

Release

At the San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel announced that "The Consultant" would appear exclusively on the Thor Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D, coming out September 13.^[2]

On September 1, reports of "The Consultant" being leaked on the internet appeared. It was shown in the form of a twitvid, and had the full film, including credits.^[1]

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer

Plot

S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson is on his way to Albuquerque, New Mexico when he stops to refill on gas. As he heads inside the gas station to pay, he decides to get some snacks, and makes his way to the back of the station to decide what he wants. Two robbers enter the station without noticing Coulson, and demand the money from the register. When the robbers ask who's car is outside, Coulson reveals himself and surrenders his keys. As he is about to surrender his pistol, Coulson distracts both robbers and quickly takes both of them down. He then nonchalantly pays for his snacks, and leaves the station.

Cast

• Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson

Release

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor's Hammer is scheduled be released on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-Ray on October 25, 2011.^[3]

Production

Marvel had been thinking about making shorts for a long time. In August 2011, Marvel announced a couple would be released direct-to-video. Co-Producer Brad Winderbaum said “It’s a fun way to experiment with new characters and ideas, but more importantly it’s a way for us to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe and tell stories that live outside the plot of our features.”^[2] They were directed by Leythum and written by Eric Pearson, with music by Paul Oakenfold.^[2] "The Consultant" featured shots from the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, including a shot of the Abomination and part of the post-credits scene.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Krah, Jackie (September 1, 2011). "The Consultant - Marvel's First Between-Movie Avengers Short Leaked Online". http://lytherus.com/2011/09/01/the-consultant-marvels-first-between-movie-avengers-short-leaked-online/. Retrieved September 26, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Strom, Marc (August 2, 2011). "Marvel One-Shots: Expanding the Cinematic Universe". Marvel.com. http://marvel.com/news/story/16398/marvel_one-shots_expanding_the_cinematic_universe#ixzz1XWSoJ8UQ. Retrieved September 26, 2011. 
3. ^ "Bring Captain America Home on Blu-ray & DVD 10/25". Marvel Comics. 2011-09-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-21. http://www.webcitation.org/61rdm7nep. Retrieved 2011-09-21. 

External links

• Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant at the Internet Movie Database
• Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer at the Internet Movie Database