New Guardians of the Galaxy Star Announced

You may not quite believe just who Marvel Studios have cast as Rocket Raccoon in their 2014 sci-fi intergalatic adventure.
Marvel Studios have today announced a new member of the cast of their upcoming science-fiction superhero motion picture Guardians of the Galaxy. The first instalment in a new sub-franchise created as part of Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase Two, Guardians takes place in realms far across the galaxy from Earth, its focus placed on a team of extra-terresterial heroes who team up with a human accomplise to battle the intergalactic tyrant Thanos.

Marvel Entertainment revealed the news on their Twitter account earlier this evening that Bradley Cooper will join the ensemble cast of the 2014 CGI flick. The Hangover and Silver Linings Playbook star will take on the vocal mantle of Rocket Racoon in the film, joining an already all-star cast including the likes of Chris Pratt (Zero Dark Thirty), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), John C. Reilly (Step Brothers; Wreck-It Ralph) and Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) within a narrative that will tie together the events of 2012's Avengers Assemble with the impending 2015 debut of Avengers: Age of Ultron in US and UK cinemas.

Our take on the matter? This is another inspired coup for Marvel in the wake of other star appearances such as Jeff Bridges, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving, Ben Kingsley and Christopher Eccleston. All the same, whether Cooper can be taken seriously in an action-orientated role such as this after the disappointment of his gung-ho portrayal of Phil in The Hangover: Part III earlier this Summer will be a matter to settle in the film itself. With any luck this should be yet another successful casting decision that entices audiences into an adaptation of a lesser-known franchise. With The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past all more recognised mainstays due out in 2014, though, Cooper and co. have their work cut out!

Guardians of the Galaxy materialises in cinemas worldwide on August 1st, 2014.