When Nick Fury wants something to disappear, it disappears, and ABC’s new paranormal investigation drama ‘Weird Desk’ has just found this out. After receiving a 13-episode straight-to-series order last week to be aired in the summer, the show is being pulled from the schedule because it bears too close of a resemblance to Joss Whedon’s upcoming television spinoff to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’.
According to Deadline, Carl Binder and David Titcher’s ‘Weird Desk’ is “based on the alleged real-life mysteries from this world and beyond” and “centers on the workings of a clandestine organization”. Yeah, that does sound a bit familiar. Here’s the rest of the series description:
Working above the levels of top secret and above the office of the President, the unit is the destination for mysterious intelligence rerouted from the CIA and NSA. Tasked with investigating and solving occurrences of the paranormal, supernatural and sometimes extra-terrestrial, “Weird Desk” is led by Morgan, an obstinate, socially inept and brilliant man who would now be dead if it weren’t for his special forces trained partner, Rosetta.
Due to the similarities to the global peacekeeping organization’s show, it’s being said that ‘Weird Desk’ is being pulled because Marvel has voiced some objections to the new show and how closely it resembles ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’. Since Marvel is one of Disney’s prized possessions, they definitely don’t want to make them unhappy. Plus, this may be a blessing in disguise, as ‘Weird Desk’ definitely doesn’t sound as promising as the show that’ll put Clark Gregg on our screens once again as Agent Phil Coulson. Let’s be honest here: It’s a no-brainer as to which one the masses will be tuning into.
‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ is expected to begin production in January and will star Clark Gregg, Brett Dalton, Ming-Na, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Ian De Caestecker.
