S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents Returning For 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'

Briefly: This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone familiar with the timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but along with the news that Frank Grillo will be Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (and the previously annoucned news that Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow would appear), Variety reports Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders will reprise their roles at Nick Fury and Maria Hill in Cap's second solo adventure.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier also stars Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan and is set for release April 4, 2014.

Thanks to Variety for the news.

Since the set up of this story will take place in the present day with Captain America, in New York, where S.H.I.E.L.D. sometimes operates out of, this news makes a lot of sense. Just how extensive the roles will be, and questions of whether they'll assist Cap or tie in to the S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show are all still up in the air.

What do you think?