FIRST LOOK: Chris Pratt As Star-Lord In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Plus Set Images From London

British Comedian Peter Serafinowicz Confirms Role In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

British actor Peter Serafinowicz (Spaced, Shaun of The Dead) has revealed via Twitter that he'll have a role opposite John C. Reilly in Guardians of The Galaxy as a Nova Corps Officer. Peter voiced Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Re Guardians, I'm a Nova Corps Officer with John C Reilly.
— Peter Serafinowicz (@serafinowicz) July 23, 2013

Kevin Feige Confirms Thanos For GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, More Characters Confirmed, New Concept Art Featuring The Cast And Props/Costumes

Marvel's Kevin Feige confirmed to IGN (via TotalFilm) that indeed cosmic villain Thanos (Vin Diesel?) will play a big role in Guardians of The Galaxy afterall (rumored for Avengers 3, not the second film). Actor Lee Pace (Hobbit Trilogy) has been confirmed for Kree leader Ronan The Accuser (leading into Inhumans?) and Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan will be playing Marvel villain Nebula. New addition Djimon Hounsou will be playing Kree warrior Korath The Pursuer in the film as well. This information comes straight from the Comic-Con panel. Including a bunch of prop photos that feature Starlord's helmet and the Nova Corps uniform. James Gunn also mentioned that casting announcements for Rocket Raccoon and Groot will be very soon.

“I think somebody on the Guardians panel let loose that Thanos is a part of the movie, which he is,” revealed Feige. “Thanos plays a part in Guardians, as the mastermind.”

Karen Gillan Cast As Lead Female Villain And Glenn Close To Head-Up Nova Corps In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Lee Pace's Role To Go From Villain To Hero?

A whole whack of casting/character information concerning Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy has recently rolled out. THR reports Doctor Who's Karen Gillan has joined the film as a major unnamed female villain along with Glenn Close heading up the long rumored Nova Corps. I wouldn't be shocked if Karen's character might be tied in with the Inhumans (Medusa or Crystal?) slowly setting up that film as well.

Glenn wasn't the only high profile actor being linked for a supporting role. HitFix's big story on the film included that John C. Reilly had also been in the mix to play Rhomann Dey. Who is being toted as an Agent Coulson-type character. A bunch of other actors had been mentioned for a part that would be a bridge between SHIELD and Nova Corps. They include Alan Rickman (Die Hard, Harry Potter), Ken Watanabe (Inception, Last Samurai) and Hugh Laurie.

Lee Pace's character might have been revealed as well. While we know he'll be playing the film's baddie there is talk that he'll will switch sides at some point in the film. Which could lead to his own franchise/films. The characters being named include fellow Guardian member Adam Warlock, Richard Rider (Nova) and Kree hero Mar-Vell (Captain Marvel). Michael Rooker's Yondu is also being linked as a villainous space pirate rather than a heroic Guardian member.

Another Source Says Nova Corps. Featured In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

AICN is reporting that Marvel's version of intergalactic military/police Nova Corps. (similar to Green Lantern Corps) will be featured in Guardians of The Galaxy. We've been hearing since the early days of development of Avengers and Guardians that Nova would be introduced into the MCU. Not to mention that speculation grew from the concept art that might have had Nova ships in the sky. Marvel released a new Nova series at the same time they rebooted Guardians with their new comic. If original story details for the film are to believed, the group starts out to be prisoners and fugitives which could mean Nova Corps. are on their tails.

“I was contacted by a source..., telling me that after they had a dinner with a friend that is a confirmed part of [Guardians of the Galaxy]’s production team, that the friend let it slip over the meal that NOVA CORPS were definitely a part of the movie.” 

Kevin Durand (Real Steel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Smokin' Aces) had been recently linked for a role in the film but it's unlikely it was for Drax. I could see him being apart of the Nova Corps. if not as Richard Rider.

RUMOR: Iron Man Appearing In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

This Marvel rumor is coming from a blog I've haven't really read before, so this news isn't the most reliable. ComicBook state they have a source tells them that Robert Downey Jr. will have a role in Marvel's upcoming sci-fi epic adventure film Guardians of The Galaxy. This new information is stemming from original speculation from a recent comic book (Iron Man is asked to join the Guardians) Iron Man would join the film. The site also points out another recent rumor that Iron Man 3 will have a mid-credits and post-credits bonus scenes (linked to Guardians?). However, JoBlo got word from writer/director James Gunn who killed the rumor. While a recent Tweet from a Variety reporter gives the impression it's possible and depends on Robert.

RDJ made a deal with Marvel Studios that he'd get a percentage of every Marvel film he agrees to be apart of. He earned around an estimated $100 million plus for Avengers, it's anyone's guess how much he'll make on Iron Man 3. So if Marvel wants Tony Stark/Iron Man in a Marvel film they just have to pay him later instead of a rather large upfront fee that would cut into the budget.

With Whedon handling the creative side things for the Marvel universe we have no idea what direction the film will go. I'd imagine if he wants to expand the Marvel cosmic universe they'd need someone from the Avengers world to bridge the two worlds (Earth/cosmic). Marvel has stated they want Guardians to be their Star Wars franchise so seeing some of the Avengers in the film isn't hard to believe. We've already heard rumblings that Nova Corps and Thanos could play major roles in film. To see Iron Man in a space epic could open the doors to other large possibilities for Iron Man 4 and even a new Hulk film (Planet Hulk/World War Hulk). He's already been in space during the missile scene in Avengers so maybe he tries out a new suit made for the harsh elements of space travel.

Nova Corps Showing Up In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

A interesting Guardians of The Galaxy rumor has surfaced. A Marvel insider has been Tweeting scoops which for the most part have been on the money. He teased recently that the lineup for Guardians of The Galaxy might be changed slightly and that the concept artwork has an Easter Egg in it. Apparently, someone guessed the ships in the background were apart of the Nova Corps. fleet. Which might be true seeing as Nova is aligned with the Guardians. Again, pure speculation but the ships are in the shape of the Nova symbol. There have been plot rumors suggesting that members of the Guardians start out as escaped convicts. Perhaps, the Nova Corps are the ones trying to put them back in prison.