'Guardians of the Galaxy' Cast News: Benicio del Toro Joins Glenn Close For 2014 Release Date Film [VIDEO]
Marvel's much anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy film added Benicio del Toro to its all-star cast.
Del Toro (Traffic, 21 Grams) will be playing a character that is "built to be part of future Marvel films," Deadline reported Monday. He reportedly signed on to play a leading character. He joins Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, Damages), who will be playing a leadership role in the space patrol company Nova Corp.
The film will be entry No. 10 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that became a multi-billion dollar franchise through films like The Avengers and most recently Iron Man 3.
Guardians of the Galaxy is an adaptation of the Marvel comic book series of the same name. The film's premise, released in August 2012, is "a U.S. pilot ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants."
Del Toro and Close will join Parks and Recreation star Chris Pratt, who plays lead character Star-Lord. Pratt's character is described as the child of a human mother and an alien father.
Zoe Saldana, known for her work in such sci-fi films as Star Trek and Avatar, will also have a significant role in Guardians of the Galaxy. She will play Gamora, a green-skinned assassin who is the last of her species.
WWE wrestler David Bautista will be playing Drax the Destroyer, a human who is resurrected as a green warrior "for the sole purpose of killing Thanos," the villain teased in the credits of The Avengers.
Rounding out the cast is The Walking Dead star Michael Rooker, former Pushing Daisies lead Lee Pace and Karen Gillan, of Dr. Who fame. Directing Guardians of the Galaxy is James Gunn, who was also on the directing team for this year's Movie 43 in addition to 2005's horror film Slither.
Guardians of the Galaxy has an Aug. 1, 2014 release date.
Watch a guide to the Guardians of the Galaxy characters:
