Move Over 'The Avengers,' Clark Gregg Joins Jason Reitman’s 'Labor Day'

Long relegated to post-credit sequences and scene-stealing bit parts as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson in the Marvel movies, it was nice to see actor Clark Gregg gain a little more screen time in this past weekend’s superhero brouhaha “The Avengers.” Granted, the silver screen was still mostly dedicated to the sweaty, muscle-bound (sometimes green) dudes in spandex, but Gregg had more than his share of moments, and has been consistently good with small parts in films like “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Usual Suspects.” He’s a bit part character actor who deserves a movie all his own – in fact he’s been in a few diverting short films entitled “Marvel One-Shots” centered on Agent Coulson—but for now he’s looking to move into some promising adult fare.

THR is now reporting that he’s joining an 'Avengers'-like acting super team in the form of “Young Adult” helmer Jason Reitman’s “Labor Day,” where he’ll be playing alongside previously announced talent like Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, and even James Van Der Beek. Reitman adapted the script from the Joyce Maynard novel of the same name, which will revolve around a boy (Gattlin Griffith) and his divorced mother (Winslet) who happen upon a drifter (Brolin) over Labor Day weekend and offer him a ride. Brolin’s character turns out to be an escaped convict who may have a little something to teach both family members. It seems like new, darker territory for Reitman who has already been moving in that direction with his vastly underrated “Young Adult,” and we’re eager to see where he goes next.

There’s no information on Gregg’s character, but it’s a far cry from his recent role in the Jim Carrey-starring “Mr. Popper’s Penguins," and the actor also has some solid work coming up in the form of Joss Whedon’s Shakespeare adaptation "Much Ado About Nothing” and Maggie Carrey’s highly anticipated comedy “The To-Do List,” where he’ll star alongside the likes of Bill Hader, Aubrey Plaza, Donald Glover, and many more.

Reitman’s next looks to be picking up some serious steam and cameras are set to begin rolling soon with an expected 2013 release in mind.