Just yesterday we reported that Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Looper) was included on the shortlist of actors vying for the lead role in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. We presumed that, since an earlier report had mentioned an unnamed actor in the mix in addition to Zachary Levi (Chuck) and Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Gordon-Levitt was the last candidate. Well, today’s news brings word that Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) is also under consideration for the role of Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord. Hit the jump to get this sorted out.
Rosenbaum Tweeted that he recently read for the lead role (via IGN):
Read for my pal
@JamesGunn GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY for PETER QUILL. What a treat! Thanks Jimmy.@Marvel
Best known for his role as a young Lex Luthor on Smallville, Rosenbaum has other ties to the comic book world having done a number of voice-over spots. His experience in animated fair is on the DC side, with roles in Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, Justice League, Static Shock, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Justice League: Doom. Rosenbaum has previously worked with Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn on PG Porn, a comedy series in which the two voiced Charlie Brown and Linus respectively.
As for the lead role in question, Star-Lord was born of a human mother and alien father, and he’s a master strategist and combat expert who wears an ability-enhancing suit and pilots a psychically-linked ship. The character will likely serve as the audience’s introduction to the unusual world of Guardians of the Galaxy in the space-set film, which opens August 1, 2014. Be sure to get caught up on all of our previous and continuing coverage on Guardians of the Galaxy here.
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I can’t think of anyone (other than Joss Whedon before Avengers) who’s more overdue for superstardom than the guy who played Smallville’s Lex Luthor & JLU’s Flash . . . . . effectively becoming the benchmarks for both those characters for an entire generation of viewers.
Fantastic actor and the heart and soul of Smallville. After he left I couldn’t continue watching the show it just wasn’t the same.
Solid actor and a truly underrated comedic genius.
I’m not too familiar with these marvel comics but any movie that has Rosenbaum gets enhanced automatically. Awesome actor.
Hell yeah !
I hope he knows that he is playing the live action flash in the justice league movie. No excuses.
I find it kind of ironic that it seems like “short-list” is getting longer.
This supposed short list is really long…
looks like there going for a “younger actor” but Josh Holloway is the best fit, look at the cover for the news GOTG comic it’s a perfect match for Holloway
Just pick one already, geeze.
Honestly, he sounds like the best candidate of the four. Zachary Levi is already in Thor, first of all, Jim Sturgess is too… I don’t know, “fey,” and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, despite being the source of nerd-boners and man-crushes everywhere, is a wee little tiny man. I can see Rosenbaum in this role and I think it should be him.
he was horrible in Catch .44
matter of fact that whole movie was horrible
Honestly, he sounds like the best candidate of the four. Zachary Levi is already in Thor, first of all, Jim Sturgess is too… I don\’t know, \"fey,\" and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, despite being the source of nerd-boners and man-crushes everywhere, is a wee little tiny man. I can see Rosenbaum in this role and I think it should be him.
He deserves the role he is very good actor. he was after John glover the best actor on smallville and he needs more recognition
Rosenbaum’s an overlooked actor, easily the best part of Smallville (except maybe John Glover). Can he handle the lead role in a big tentpole like this? Don’t know, but it’d be more interesting to see him try than most of the other guys on the list.