The lead role of the Star-Lord in Marvel's planned film adaptation of "Guardians of the Galaxy" is close to being cast, according to IGN via Variety.
The reports says that Marvel has narrowed it down to two frontrunners, "Cloud Atlas" star Jim Sturgess and "Chuck's" Zachary Levi, who is the Fandral in Marvel's "Thor"franchise.
The Star-Lord is a part human and part alien named Peter Quill. He was born during an unusual astronomical phenomenon when many planets aligned. His mother's husband accuses his wife of infidelity and attempts to murder the infant, but falls dead of a heart attack, according to Marvel's superheroes wiki.
Quill is orphaned after two aliens kill his mother and destroy his childhood home. Quill eventually becomes a trainee for NASA's astronaut program. Ouill eventually becomes the Star-Lord after meeting with an alien entity known as the Master of the Sun.
According to Marvel's wiki, "Quill is then chosen to become Star-Lord, with the Master of the Sun first creating an illusion in which he is able to find and kill the aliens that murdered his mother to free him of his past. Equipped with a sentient vessel called "Ship", Quill commences his role as Star-Lord."
Variety reports that Marvel made test deals with five potential leading men several weeks ago, and that Sturgess is the only one from the five that remains in contention. Levi was not part of group, but sources told Variety that the studio has a lot of faith in actor.
In the comics, the Star-Lord forms the Guardians of the Galaxy in order to prevent the collapse of the universe. He recruits Adam Warlock, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Drax and Gamora to the Guardians.
The new superhero group establishes a base of operations on the space station Knowhere. The station possesses a teleportation system that allows the group to travel through space and police galactic crime.
The action super-hero film is currently scheduled for an Aug. 1, 2014 U.S. release, but no stars are currently attached to the project.
