Production is expected to begin on James Gunn's entry into Marvel Studio's cinematic universe Guardians Of The Galaxy in June, so the final touches are been put to the cast. Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Zoe Saldana have been confirmed as the three more humanoid members of the galaxy, playing Starlord, Drax, and Gamora respectively (no word yet on how, and who are, bringing the more alien members, Groot and Rocket Raccoon, to life). But if you have the heroes, you need a villain, and The Wrap are reporting that Lee Pace (The Hobbit, Lincoln, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part Two) is in negotiations to play the films as yet undisclosed big bad. Pace auditioned for the role that ultimately went to Pratt, but Marvel were impressed with him enough to offer him this part.
While Pace's character is being kept under wraps, Marvel have let slip that the Collector, one of the Marvel Universe's elder gods who collects beings and objects he perceives as valuable, will be making an appearance, with Opehlia Lovibond (Mr. Poppers Penguins) playing his right hand woman. I really don't see Pace playing The Collector, but his inclusion might shed some light on Pace's role. In the comics, one of The Collector's major appearances was in The Korvac Saga, which had a man from the far future, Michael Korvac, imbued with god like powers, which he uses to travel back in time in attempt to reshape reality. I can't help but think Pace is playing Korvac. The character has ties with the Guardians in the comic book, and recent casting calls for extras have hinted at a future setting for some of the move. This is more than likely the ramblings of a nerd with way too much time on his hands. With a little over two months till production begins, we should find out the villain's identity soon enough.
