I am Clark Gregg. You probably know me as Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Phil Coulson. My new film, Trust Me, opens tomorrow. AMA!

What is the best/funniest practical joke you have seen happen on the set?

After Chloe Bennett filed Iain De Caestecker's car and trailer with snow, she thought she escaped retribution. Only to learn that she'd been driving around Los Angeles for 3 days with a vanity plate that said BALLZ DEEP.

Hi Clark, Were you astounded by the fan's love for Director Coulson especially after the Avengers? Also, how did you feel about Marvel specifically introducing Coulson into the comics? It's 2:30am where I am so I hope you answer this, if not, oh well. Love your work.

First of all, thank you for appropriately calling me Director Coulson. And the day that Marvel sent me a comic book with a slightly handsomer version of my face in it was one of my many near-deaths from Nerd Heart Attack.

Hi Clark, thanks for being a big part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe--an unlikely one that is swiftly becoming the glue that ties them all together, given the events of Agents of SHIELD.

That said, I really liked discovering that you voiced the Son of Coul in the LEGO Marvel Superheroes game. Did the game studio come to you, or did you lobby for it?

They offered it to me. And given the amount of hours I spent building spacecraft airplanes and weaponry with Legos, it seemed sacrilegious to say no.

I'll leave all the big, important, boxers-or-briefs questions for others. I have a real Comic Book Guy question about AoS for you.

This came up in the SHIELD subreddit. ( Feel free to come and visit /r/shield ). Something that looked, at first like an editing/continuity issue, but with subsequent plot developments may have been intentional.

In "Yes Men", In the scene where Ward pulled the trigger on May the editing of the scene leads one to believe that he woke up BEFORE he pulled the trigger, and was conciously trying to take May out. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks, love your work and seeing you in Ultimate Spider-Man is a nice treat.

Wow. I have to go back and watch that bit. It seems the levels of darkness to Agent of H.Y.D.R.A. Grant Ward may run even deeper than I thought. And I will stop by /r/shield before I go.

Hi Clark!

Do you think Coulson is worthy enough to pick up Thor's hammer?

In the past, I would say no. But now with the magical blue alien blood coursing through his veins, I suspect the hammer won't be much of a problem for Phil.

Hello! Now that you are the director, is there any chance you will start wearing Nick's cool coat?

I'm hoping that position comes with some new swaggy-ass gear. Kinda like the Pope gets that cool hat (thank you Victoria). That said, I would not dare try to rock the coat that can only be truly rocked by Director Fury and The Great Samuel L. Jackson.

Do you have any good behind the scenes stories of Ming-Na Wen?

Yes. When Ming-Na is unsure of a line, she has a separate language that is neither chinese nor english, it seems to turn those words into something that is both. And the outtakes reel that will be released on the blu-ray could (and should) contain easily 30 minutes of us collapsed on the floor laughing trying to figure out what the hell she just said.

Hello Mr. Gregg Thank you for doing this AMA. I have loved you as Agent Coulson in the Marvel movies and as Director Coulson on Agents of Shield. I think you're brilliant at that role

My question is, what went through your mind when you were offered the role as Agent/Director Coulson? Also are you as big of a fan of Captain America as Coulson is?

I was more of a Tony Stark fan as a kid. But when I saw Chris Evans in that uniform, my heart fluttered for REALZ.

Who do you ship in the Marvel Universe?

I thought there was some real heat in the Clint Barton / Natasha Romanoff moments in The Avengers. But I really want Hulk to settle down with a nice green lady.

Thank you for doing this AMA!

You seem like a down to earth kinda guy, and connect frequently with your fans on Twitter, answering and retweeting them. My questions are related:

• Do you ever feel like connecting with fans is more like a duty than fun?
• Do you follow your fans (as in opinions, fan works)? And if you do, how closely?
• Udonyet?

Thanks for thinking that I'm down to earth. You can ask Victoria, who is being forced to give me a foot rub as we do this, that I am just as vain and egocentric as any celebrity you've ever heard of. I do follow my fans and love interacting with them. For many reasons. Not least of which is the fact that they are so powerful that they brought me back to life after Joss Whedon killed me. So I'm grateful and a little afraid.

Soba So good.

How can I be as awesome as you?

I don't want to disillusion you, but there's an extremely strong chance that you already ARE.

Hi Clark! The West Wing was one of my favorite shows....any stories from the set?

Yes. The one thing you are never allowed to do as an actor is call in sick. Or not show up, especially on a gigantic hit show where you're a recurring guest star. But when Baby started to have our baby, I called in and said I wasn't coming for the first and only time in my career. Thankfully, Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme were two of the coolest bosses ever and gave me their blessing. Although the assistant director did call just minutes after the birth to see if I could still come in...I said no.

Hi, Clark! Do you have a favorite moment from Season 1 of Agents of SHIELD?

Hard to choose. Clearly wasn't Tahiti. It's a toss up between being handed my old gun from The Avengers, being told by Nick Fury that I (Coulson) was an Avenger, or moments later, when I received the title "Director Coulson."

Trust Me is an amazing film and you have been an incredible part of the Marvel Universe.

My question has to deal with Trust Me: How did the idea come about to make it a multi-genre film? It has been described as a comedy at the start, a drama in the middle, only to be revealed as a film-noir the entire time by the amazing ending. Also, do you think you’ll be making more indy-films in the future?

P.S. you’re one of my favorite actors in Hollywood, thanks for the dedication you put in to every role you play.

edit: multi not milt. My bad!

That's a great question. I always knew that Trust Me was going to be a kind of mashup between film noir, comedy, darkness & light, reality and fantasy, and everyone told me not to make a movie like that and no one would see it or buy it. And because I do independent films because they are the place where chances can be taken, and because I have friends and producers who are very ballsy, we did it anyway. And thanks to people like you watching, rating and sharing the film, it's destroying all those preconceptions about what people want to see.

Thanks for visiting, Mr. Gregg! (Clark? Director Agent Mister Clark Son of Coul sir?) Come see us in /r/SHIELD and /r/MarvelStudios; we love you!

1. Vital Nerd Question™: Could Phil Coulson pick up Mjølnir? ("Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor" yadda yadda etc.)

2. Ever so often I remind myself "Agent Coulson is married to Baby from Dirty Dancing!" because this instantly makes my day cheerier. What are things y'all do to balance being busy creative professionals/superheroes with raising a family? Any chance we'll see Jennifer Grey in Agents of SHIELD and/or your future projects?

3. [Fan gushing and major The Avengers & Agents of SHIELD spoilers ahoy!] I'd like to thank/blame you for at least two times the Marvel Cinematic Universe made me cry: Coulson's death in The Avengers and Coulson being named an Avenger in Agents of SHIELD. I never would've guessed that Iron Man's Bland Government Suit Guy would become one my favorite fictional characters EVER, but the warmth, enthusiasm, and total adorkableness of your performance has been utterly captivating. A kickass superspy is nifty; a kickass superspy who's also a genuinely kind, compassionate, funny, hopeful person (and antiques nerd) is priceless. Damn straight, Phil Coulson's an Avenger. Thanks for making him so much fun to love!

1. Already answered!

2. I and everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D are determined to see the incomparable J. Grey venture onto the Bus. What do we do for fun? Almost nothing I can say here. But there is a lot of ping pong.

3. Thank you.

How was TAHITI?

[Serious] Did you you ever think Agent Director Coulson would be such an important character when you first started the role?

If I thought that, they probably would have taken me away in a straightjacket. It started so small, and then gradually became the coolest thing to ever happen to a nerd, anywhere.

And as you know, if you've watched Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tahiti truly sucked.

Coulson's fave is Capt America ... Who is your fave Super Hero DC and/or Marvel? Also, cake or cookies?

I've always been a big Tony Stark fan. Probably because of all his flaws. And if I'm ever sentenced to death my last meal will consist entirely of German Chocolate cake.

Hi Clark! I love your guts.

Would Director Coulson put Baby in the corner?

Not unless he wanted to die again.

Another question, do you have a cameo or any sort of appearance in GotG? I really hope you do.

Not that I know of! But with Marvel neither you or I will know the final answer to that until the final credit has rolled.

You're a super busy dude - since Avengers you've done half a dozen movies, plus SHIELD, plus voice work. How do you find the energy to approach each project with what appears to be never-ending enthusiasm?

Is there a mirror universe Clark Gregg running around? Does he have a sweet beard?

I'm glad you think that, especially because I feel like I'm exhausted all the time.

But I spent a lot of years without so much incredibly fun nerd-tastic stuff to do so both me and my inner 12 year old boy are having a shitton of fun these days, and I'm glad that's apparent.

Did you ever get your Cap' card signed?

That's a very good question. If I were you, I would check out Season 2 of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

If you could be anyone else in the Marvel Cinematic Universe besides Coulson, who would you be?

Captain Marvel.

How was the drive from Istanbul?

I'm sorry, I can't answer that.

What's your very best life advice?

Be the kind of person you'd like to meet. Be the kind of friend you'd like to have. Be the kind of superhero... ^now I'm just getting carried away.

Hi Clark! My two year old son, who knows his Marvel characters better than most adults, is absolutely, 100% convinced that Agent Coulson is Captain America in disguise. Is there something you need to tell us?

Okay. Since it's a 2 year old, it seems unlikely your son has read any of the reports (which I vehemently deny!) that Agent Coulson wears Captain America underoos. So I'm not sure where this could be coming from.

No release for Trust Me known in Belgium, so I'm taking the Marvel route.

If you could write/direct a Marvel Superhero movie; which charcater would you pick?

(and naturally, I love your work, you're awesome, say hi to Elizabeth for me,...)

I don't have specific information about the international release of Trust Me. But it is something that is being worked on, and I will share that info as soon as I have it, thanks so much for your interest in the film. When it comes out, please watch it and I promise you will love it, and if not, I will come cook breakfast at your house.

I'm torn. I love the stories of the S.H.I.E.L.D agents that don't have superpowers, and I've always thought the backstory of Budapest as mentioned in The Avengers would make a great film. That said, I sure do love Adam Warlock.

Now that Coulson is in charge of rebuilding SHIELD, who are the first three people he's going to recruit?

Bonus Much Ado question(s):

My husband and I are huge Shakespeare fans, and were thrilled to hear about Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, and saw it the second it came to Omaha. What drew you to be a part of that? And just how awesome was it to hang out with that amazing cast while at Joss Whedon's house?

As a side, I want to thank you for being a part of SHIELD, and finally bringing back some quality entertainment to TV that the whole family can watch. My husband and I spent our Tuesday nights watching SHIELD with our eight year old daughter (who says hi, by the way!).

Okay.

Bruce Banner. Starlord. And Jennifer Lawrence.

And Joss lost an actor at the last minute, and so he asked me, and because I'd had a dream 2 nights earlier that I was doing Shakespeare and it was really fun, I considered it "the will of the Universe" and signed up to do it even though I had to learn the whole part in 2 days.

I don't recommend trying that.

Mel Gibson is probably one of the most controversial men in Hollywood today because of statements he has made. What were you experiences like working with him on "We Were Soldiers" and do you feel like he can have a comeback?

I had a lovely experience with Mr. Gibson, who was kind and not stuck up. And told some of the most appalling and hilarious dirty jokes I've ever heard. As a member of a Jewish family, I was saddened by his comments but as a sober alcoholic myself I believe that we all say things that we regret when under the influence, and that no one should be beyond redemption.

Hi Clark! Thanks for doing this. You seem like a great guy and I hope I get to meet you someday.

You wash up on a deserted island alone. Sitting in the sand is a box. What's in the box?

Alternatively, have you had anyone come in for a hug and whisper Hail Hydra in your ear?

What's in that box? Well my lowest expectation would be some sunblock so that I didn't die from having my pale scottish skin roasted to a crisp. My higher expectation would be some kind of sat phone so I could call someone to get me the hell out of there.

And RE: the hug, that has happened. But I can't comment on it on the advice of my lawyer. What I can say is: I send my apologies to that poor person's family.

Be honest - Do you own your own action figure, and how often does he get played with?

I have 2. One's in the closet, in mint condition, and will stay that way. There's another one that lives in the den, and I do go in there every once in a while to retrieve him, because there's nothing wrong with playing with yourself occasionally.

Hey, Clark! Who is your favorite Avenger?

I consider myself the Avengers' snarky uncle who gets to babysit them. It would be wrong for me to choose a favorite.

(Romanoff)

Hooray, Clark Gregg!

First, I think you're awesome - really one of my favorite actors. I couldn't stop smiling during your entire Nerdist interview. Second, two questions:

1) What is your favorite book, or book you wish you had the time to read but haven't? 2) If you could write for any comic -- apart from a "Coulson, Agent of SHIELD" series -- what would it be and why?

Thanks so, so much!

1. There are two. I keep starting Goldfish by Donna Tartt but then I have to put it down to go do an AMA reddit or whatever this is. I also never ever read the Sci-fi classic Snowcrash. But I will take it with me when I go on vacation.

2. I'm really digging Secret Warriors.

Three questions, if you please:

1: I absolutely loved Whedon's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and thought you played Leonato perfectly. Any chance you'd do any other Shakespearean films? If so, which character would you want to portray?

2: You were recently a guest at Comicpalooza in Houston. Do you have plans to attend (as a guest) to any other conventions anytime soon? I'm sure there are tons of people who'd love to get a chance to say hi in person!

3: Did you take any influence from your personal life experiences, either with agents (not Agents...) or fellow actors when fleshing out the characters in TRUST ME? If so, care to share?

Thanks for your time, Director!

1: I absolutely loved Whedon's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and thought you played Leonato perfectly. Any chance you'd do any other Shakespearean films? If so, which character would you want to portray?

There are so many. Richard III, Coriolanus, anyone in Twelfth Night, or As You Like It, and I keep hoping Joss will want to do another one as soon as he's finished with Ultron.

2: You were recently a guest at Comicpalooza in Houston. Do you have plans to attend (as a guest) to any other conventions anytime soon? I'm sure there are tons of people who'd love to get a chance to say hi in person!

I would love to hit some 'cons, especially international cons. But the window's so tight before we start shooting Season 2 of M.A.O.S.

3: Did you take any influence from your personal life experiences, either with agents (not Agents...) or fellow actors when fleshing out the characters in TRUST ME? If so, care to share?

Yes, but not directly. It's a world I'm familiar with, less in terms of direct involvement with child actors or their agents and more from the POV of someone struggling to make it in a world with a very young sell-by date.

What is a secret that nobody knows about you yet

Okay, I'm going to open the vault on my deep dark ones.

I can talk deep canon on Saved by the Bell.

I dance athletically with my daughter (when she's not cringing) to Arianna Grande.

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Soul Train, I had red white & blue platform shoes and worked hours upon hours perfecting my robot and my dream was to one day move through the middle of the Soul Train dance line.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done to you?

Asked me to sign her boobs. And if you'd seen those boobs, all of the Avengers could have signed them and there still would have been room for the logo from Stark Tower. And even though I found this request appalling, it seemed wrong to say no to a fan.

What was it like working on a show like the West Wing? There just hasn't seems to be a show of that intellectual magnitude. I like to consider that role as coulsons origin story.

There are those who believe that Agent Mike Casper was an alter-ego of Phil Coulson's and my response to that is that I can neither confirm nor deny the theory that they are the same person. And thank you, I was honored to be a part of the West Wing.

Have you ever driven past a house where there was a kids party with Avengers balloons, put on your Coulson suit and just showed up?

Great question.

No, but I did go trick or treating with my daughter and when 2 boys about 12 years old walked away from a door dressed as Thor and Iron Man, I stopped them with my Coulson voice and asked them to share their candy. They might still be standing on that lawn right now.

Do you have any pets? :)

PS you seem like the nicest person ever - don't follow many actor folk, but your posts on facebook and whatnot are so super cute.

Let's keep it real.

I try to be nice. But I can be a crabby bastard just like you can.

We have 2 dogs, Dorothy and BiBi, who are so sweet, kind, and hilarious (especially the labradoodle Dorothy, who we all acknowledge as the most evolved spirit in our home).

Hey Clark. Trust Me looks great! Would ever direct a Marvel film? What would it be? I hear Antman's looking.

It would be a dream someday. But right now Marvel's keeping me pretty damn busy. on the other side of the camera.

I get the impression you've been into Marvel for a long time. Would you believe yourself if you went back in time and told your younger self that someday you'd play a character which would become a big part of the Marvel Universe?

The younger me would have laughed maniacally at that idea. And so would the middle-aged me, even a few years ago. So it's really fun to have both of them around watching as it comes through.

Hope you get a piece of the action in the next marvel series & movies.

Any chance of visiting Australia in the forseeable future??

I really want to!!! My wife shot a movie there called Wind and is in love with the place. And I really want to go see the place that came up with somebody like the Amazing Chris Hemsworth. I want to go to the con there called Supernova. But they're keeping me awfully busy fighting off H.Y.D.R.A. totebags.

Hello Clark.

First, awesome work in the MCU. May Director Coulson reign for a good long while.

Second, and here's your question, is it more rewarding for you to nurse an original idea like Trust Me, or do you get more out of bringing someone else's world to life like in your film adaptation of Choke?

Last, but not least, how can you forget to mention Doug Mackenzie, everyone's favorite career politician from State And Main?

Have fun with the AMA, and can't wait wait to see you in Age Of Ultron!

A. Thanks for remembering Doug. Let's go Huskies!

B. It was an incomparable experience to enter into the deranged and magnificent mind of Chuck P. And there may be nothing more terrifying than bringing the weirdness of my own inner life to the screen in an original project like Trust Me. But there's probably nothing more satisfying than sharing my own story with actors like these, in a way that connects directly with people like you.

Thanks for coming around Mr. Gregg!

If you could have one mythical creature as a pet, what would it be and why?

I've been public about my desire for a trio of baby dragons. But only if their mistress would hang around to take them for walks.

What is your favorite fictional creature? and why?

That's a really good one. Great question!

I'm going to (because of Coulson's resurrection in Marvel, and because of my many career resurrections in life) go with the Phoenix, who was burned but rises from the ashes. That said, Aslan in Narnia was pretty dope.

Hi, Clark! Thank you for doing this! Was the hilarious script delivery scene in Trust Me inspired by your dealings with Marvel?

Absolutely. Although the secured messenger in Trust Me, the amazing Dawan Owens, while super-intimidating, may have been slightly less scary than the guys who brought over the first draft of The Avengers and waited in a Quinjet while I read it.

Hi Clark, Who would win in a fight, you, a very well trained combat dog or Odin

A dog named Odin.

What are some of your favorite films? Or what inspires you as a filmmaker?

I love movies that change the way I think. I fell in love with movies through the films of the 70's, The Godfather, anything by Hal Ashby, Cuckoo's Nest, and Star Wars. Later, I fell in love with Blade Runner because it had the character depth of those 70's films and the science fiction element projecting mankind forward.

I love you so much, You're my favorite Marvel character. What are you looking forward to the most in the next couple of months?

I'm looking forward to seeing your responses to Trust Me (the movie, out now on iTunes, on demand and in theaters June 6).

Ok now that's out of the way, I'm looking forward to getting some artisinal ice cream with my spectacular daughter who gets out of school today, slow-dancing to Teddy Pendergrass at a wedding with my beautiful wife Jennifer Grey in a few weeks (because if it's slow dancing people can't tell how much a better dancer she is).

As someone who hasnt watched Agents of Shield yet, I should not have come here.

Question: If you had to have a career outside acting, what would you do?

I would like to think that I would be serving the world in some noble capacity. But realistically I would probably be jousting thrice daily at some Renaissance Faire. M'lords and ladies.