Pratt confirmed to play lead in Guardians of the Galaxy

Chris Pratt is set to play Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, in the forthcoming big screen version of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

The star of films including 'Moneyball', 'Zero Dark Thirty' and US sitcom 'Parks and Recreation' will take on the role of the astronaut-turned-galactic warrior in the Marvel Comics adaptation.

[Related story: Marvel wants Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey for Guardians of the Galaxy]

It was a hotly contested role, with the likes of 'Cloud Atlas's Jim Sturgess, Zachary Levi from 'Chuck', John Krasinski from 'The Office' and 'Boardwalk Empire' star Jack Huston all thought to be in the running.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was also linked, but turned it down over other scheduling commitments, namely the 'Sin City' sequel 'Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For'.

The film is set to be directed by James Gunn, who helmed the offbeat vigilante comedy 'Super'.

One of the more edgy properties in the Marvel canon, it follows a group of alien heroes, including Drax the Destroyer, deadly female warrior Gamora, a tree creature called Groot and Rocket Racoon, a genetically engineered racoon with a love for weaponry.

News emerged last week that Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey are being sought for roles too.

It's set for release in the summer of 2014.