With the success of the Avengers, Marvel was poised to spin-off the franchise as many times as it liked, featuring the members of the superhero team in individual movies and continue changing the proverbial water into wine.

Among possible projects were a Nick Fury, or a Heroes for Hire film; there was even talk of the exciting possibility of a Black Panther movie. The Disney/Marvel combination decided to try something way leftfield: “The Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Ramping up for the galactic creation, the producers are off to fill out the team roster. It seems that “The Hobbit” actor Lee Pace will be up for the role of Star Lord. “I go in on Monday to meet them all and audition for it, so wish me luck,” says Pace.

Pace has been nominated for two Golden Globes for his work on the small screen: one for 2004’s “Soldier’s Girl” and four years later for the television series “Pushing Daisies.”

Star Lord, formerly Peter Quill, is a NASA astronaut that has been selected as an intergalactic peacekeeper. Along with the Guardian of the Galaxy they face whatever cosmic dangers threaten the whole universe. “I have been [reading up on Star-Lord],” says the actor, “…The character is a lot of fun. I hope it works out.”

Other than the cosmic fiend Thanos, there doesn’t seem to be a greater connective thread between the Avengers and the Guardians. One can only anticipate how one will lead into the other. Will the failure of the Guardians to contain Thanos lead us into the second Avenger movie?

“Guardian of the Galaxy” will be blasting into theaters August 2014.

Source: MTV