With Chris Pratt now set in the lead role of Star-Lord, it looks like casting is moving right along on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.  Writer/director James Gunn has now posted up in London to continue pre-production on the film with shooting set to begin in a couple of months, and now a new report has surfaced claiming that Gunn and Marvel have settled on the actor that will play Drax the Destroyer.  The character is one of brawn, and he actually began life as a human before his family was attacked and killed by the ubervillain Thanos, after which his spirit was placed in a new, much more powerful body.  Rumor has it that none other than Khal Drogo himself, Jason Momoa, will bring Drax to life.  Hit the jump to read on. [Update: THR now reports that Momoa tested for the role, but has no offer. More after the jump.]

[UpdateBorys Kit of THR Tweets that his sources tell him Momoa only tested for the role and has not received an offer for the part:

 

He followed up by saying this doesn't mean Momoa won't end up being their guy, but he has yet to receive an official offer.  Hopefully we hear one way or the other soon.  Our original story follows below.]

The folks over at Latino Review (who posted a killer Star Wars scoop earlier today) report that negotiations have begun with Momoa to take on the role of Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy.  Apparently the actor flew out to London earlier this week to test for the role, but his audition went so well that he was subsequently offered the part.  Also reportedly in the running for the role were Isiah Mustafa, David Bautista, and Brian Patrick.

Negotiations are said to be ongoing and nothing has been confirmed, but Momoa seems a fine fit.  Though the film was a box office disappointment, the actor has experience as the lead in a large-scale adventure pic with the Conan the Barbarian reboot.  He also memorably played Khal Drogo on HBO’s Game of Thrones, and earned notice as one of the only good things about last month’s Sylvester Stallone actioner Bullet to the Head.

We recently learned that Marvel will be using a heavy amount of visual effects to bring two other Guardians members to life—the giant tree Groot and the talking raccoon Rocket Raccoon—so if Momoa does indeed sign on as Drax, that leaves the female lead of Gamora as the last remaining live-action role to fill on the Guardians team.  The film’s villain is rumored to be Thanos, but we’ve yet to hear any casting mumurs for that part.  With production set to begin soon, look for more news in the coming weeks.  Guardians of the Galaxy opens in 3D on August 1, 2014.

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