John C. Reilly, who was first linked to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy last month, has officially signed on for the film that’s already packed with stars.
A rep for the actor told The Wrap that the actor will be playing Rhomann Dey, or Nova PRime, the head of the Nova Corps. According to the offiical Marvel database, before Dey dies, he decides to give his powers to a teenager named Richard Rider. The character first appeared in 1976.
This is the same role HitFix linked Reilly to last month. The site noted that the role would be similar to Agent Coulson in The Avengers, so he’d have to sign on for multiple Marvel movies. However, reports on Friday only confirmed that he signed on for Guardians of the Galaxy.
Guardians is being directed by James Gunn and its cast has only continued to grow as more actors sign on. Other recent new faces to Marvel include Glenn Close and Benicio Del Toro. Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana are also starring in the film.
Disney and Marvel have scheduled Guardians for Aug. 1, 2014.
Reilly recently lent his voice to Wreck-It Ralph. He’ll also pop up in Anchorman: The Legend Continues in December. He earned a supporting Oscar nomination for 2002’s Chicago.
image: NBC