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

Michael Rosenbaum And John Krasinski In The Mix For GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Plus Rumored Actors For Drax

The casting surrounding the James Gunn directed Guardians of The Galaxy seems like it's in full swing. We've heard a numerous amount of actors in the running for Peter Quill originally that included Lee Pace (The Fall, The Hobbit Trilogy), Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty, Animal Kingdom, Warrior), Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) and Eddie Reddmayne (Les Miserables). Another group had been listed as hopefuls that included Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy, On The Road), James Marsden (Superman Returns, X-Men Trilogy) and Sullivan Stapleton (Animal Kingdom, Gangster Squad, Strike Back, 300: Rise of An Empire). Sturgess, Zachary Levi (Chuck, Thor The Dark World) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Dark Knight Rises, Inception Looper, Lincoln) have recently been linked as front-runners.

However, they aren't the only ones as Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville, Breaking In) has confirmed via Twitter that he's read for Quill. You might remember Rosenbaum taking-part in James Gunn's PG Porn short films. CBM has weighted in with their own rumors with John Krasinski (The Office, Promised Land) being in the mix as well. Krasinski had been a candidate for Steve Rogers during the casting for Captain America: The First Avenger.

CBM goes one step further as they mention names that are possibly up for the supporting role of Drax. They say that Dave Bautista (Riddick, The Man With The Iron Fists), Isaiah Mustafa (Old Spice Commercials) and Brian Patrick Wade (Big Bang Theory, Generation Kill). You might remember Mustafa had been campaigning for the role of Luke Cage/Power Man. Take this as a giant rumor because we haven't heard any names linked to Drax previously.

Could Joseph Gordon-Levitt Lead THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

Deadline reports yet another name is in the mix for the role of Peter Quill/Star-Lord for James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy. They say that rising star Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been named as another candidate for Quill. They don't say he's been offered the part but it would be a giant get for the film if they were able to cast him. The Marvel space epic has been searching for it's leader with actors such as Lee Pace, Joel Edgerton, Jim Sturgess, Jack Huston, Eddie Reddmayne and Zachary Levi mentioned as testing. Along with Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy), James Marsden (Superman Returns, X-Men Trilogy) and Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of An Empire, Gangster Squad) being reported as interested in the part as well.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been balancing both blockbuster roles with smaller projects at the same time. Taking part in action films like Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and Looper. While still mixing it up with 500 Days of Summer, 50/50, The Lookout, Brick, Lincoln and his directorial debut with Don Jon's Addiction alongside Scarlett Johansson (Avengers, Iron Man 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier). Their rumored relationship could have something to do with him circling the role as well. He's a solid choice with a loyal following which could help the little known cosmic superhero team get some much needed exposure to non-comic book fans. There has been speculation that his character John Blake from The Dark Knight Rises would be taking up the mask for Justice League and new Batman films.

Jim Sturgess And Zachary Levi Frontrunners For Star-Lord In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Variety reports that Marvel Studios has two frontrunners for the role of Peter Quill better known as Star-Lord in Guardians of The Galaxy.  They report the two actors are Jim Sturgess who was originally in the group of five actors listed as testing for the lead along with Marvel alum Zachary Levi . Levi recently wrapped production on Thor: The Dark World replacing Joshua Dallas as Fandral The Dashing. An unnamed actor might also test after the holidays.

Zachary had been originally considered for Fandral but had to turn it down because of his series Chuck. Jim recently caught the attention of Marvel by his multiple roles in The Wachowskis' Cloud Atlas. One of them giving the actor a chance to play an action heavy part. At one point he had also been considered for Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man before Andrew Garfield was eventually cast as Parker.

UPDATE: Writer/director James Gunn has tweeted that the casting stories have been mostly false. However, he could be just misdirecting while the hunt for the lead is likely still wide open.

Jack Huston Confirms Testing For GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

MTV caught up with British actor Jack Huston who is best known for playing disfigured hitman Richard Harrow in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. He had been linked along with a few others testing for the lead role of Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in Marvel's Guardians of The Galaxy. The role would launch Huston's film career if cast in the part as it's rumored the film would lead to a supporting role in Avengers 2. Jack confirmed that he indeed tested and seems to really want the job.

“There was a screen test. Like I said, brittle bones. Maybe they'll call me Glass Man. 'Here he comes. Oh, he fell over,'” Jack Huston joked. But jokes aside, he said, “I would love to do it. I tell you, these bones are strong. If you need a guardian to look after this galaxy, look no further.”

Marvel had been recently looking to HBO's Game of Thrones for inspiration. Hiring director/showrunner Alan Taylor to helm Thor: The Dark World. They've also been trying to land actors from the show with Emilia Clarke and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau being linked for roles in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Lee Pace (Hobbit, The Fall) is currently the only other actor to reveal that they had tested for the part.

Actors Testing For Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Deadline reports that Marvel is currently looking to cast actors in James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy. Deals have been made to have Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty, Star Wars, Animal Kingdom, Warrior), Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Lee Pace (Hobbit, The Fall, Lincoln) and Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables) test for Peter Quill/Star-Lord. While Peter Quill aka Star-Lord will be the main role there are still key parts left to fill which could include Drax, Nova and Adam Warlock. I wouldn't be shocked that these actors will also be considered for supporting parts in the franchise which will hit theaters on August 1st 2014.

Joel Edgerton has the best chance here with Zero Dark Thirty gathering a massive amount of attention and could land some serious awards consideration. He had been previously linked to speaking with Marvel for a role which very well could have been Peter Quill all along.

While they aren't confirmed for tests, actors such as Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy), Sullivan Stapleton (Strike Back, Animal Kingdom) and James Marsden (X-Men 1-3, Superman Returns) are also interested in the project. Sullivan is already heading up a comic book film with the prequel to 300. Garrett apparently turned down a chance to play Captain America to land Tron Legacy, something the actor regrets? A name that seems to be the odd man out is James Marsden best known for playing Cyclops in the original X-Men trilogy. Like Chris Evans, James has roots already in the Marvel film universe but doesn't seem like a good fit among these choices.

TO BE CONSIDERED: Joe Manganiello For Star-Lord In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Nathan Fillion's (fan favorite) involvement in James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy might be just rumors. As he recently stated his current commitments were to filming new episodes of Castle. I wouldn't mind seeing someone like Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike, True Blood) at least test for the role of Star-Lord. Joe has been around for ages even playing the original Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. He was also in talks for Man of Steel and mentioned a desire to play the new Batman in the eventual reboot.

SPECULATION: Nathan Fillon Star-Lord In GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?

An an interesting casting rumor has begun to spread. It supposes that Canadian actor Nathan Fillon (Firefly, Castle) could be already cast as Star-Lord in Guardians of The Galaxy. Fillon is no stranger to either Joss Whedon and possible director James Gunn. Starring in Whedon's first feature Serenity and Gunn's Slither. There had been fan casting linking Nathan for Ant-Man but it's possible that Fillon could be heading into space again instead. The actor previously stated he wanted no part of Ant-Man, was this the first hint?

Marvel's 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY' Coming August 2014, Plus Concept Artwork

It's official Marvel has announced that Guardians of The Galaxy will be released on August 1st 2014. This will be the first film featuring new characters since Captain America: The First Avenger and could setup events leading to Avengers 2. We currently don't know the film's antagonist but it very well could be Thanos as the Avengers button scene was likely setting up Guardians. The film's script was written by Nicole Perlman who also turned in a draft for the Black Widow solo film. It's expected a director will be chosen soon along with casting set to begin.

Here is a piece of exceptional character concept artwork from artist Charlie Wen who has contributed to many of the Marvel films. Shown at SDCC it features Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Drax The Destroyer, Groot and Gamora revealing the team's lineup. Their costumes look definitely more cinematic than the comic book versions of the characters.

Kevin Feige Confirms Lineup For 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY'

During some Avengers press Marvel's Kevin Feige spoke to Crave giving a slight update on The Guardians of The Galaxy. The studio's first large scale film exploring the cosmic-universe recently became yet another project in the works. Kevin during the interview gives an impression of what the Guardians lineup will look like which includes Star-Lord, Drax, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Racoon. While the newest incarnation of the team also has Adam Warlock and Nova among the ranks those characters are likely to get their own films or will be saved for sequels. However, they very well could end up in the final roster. As it looks now the project could end up one of the releases in 2015 or even later down the line.




QUESTION: When asked about which non-sequel projects Marvel Studios was prioritizing at the moment, Feige said, "I think whether it's Ant-Man, or Dr. Strange, or The Inhumans, or The Guardians of the Galaxy..." To which we eagerly cried, "Rocket Racooooon...!" 


FEIGE: "We are very excited about bringing things like that, maybe things exactly like that, to the screen. [...] When you tell people, you know what would be really cool? This movie, and there's a raccoon, and there's a tree... And they go, 'What?' And people like you know what it is, and get excited. And the majority of people go, 'Did you say a raccoon and a tree?' 'Oh yeah, they're going to steal the whole movie. They're hilarious.' 'Okay, I'll believe it when I see it.' I like that." 


QUESTION: When asked to confirm that an upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie would be focused on the new team, as opposed to the original team, created in 1969 which had their own well-received series from Jim Valentino in the 1990s, he clarified: 


FEIGE: "Yeah. It's more Star-Lord and Drax and Gamora, and less Vance Astro and that team."