Zoe Saldana in talks for Guardians of the Galaxy role

Zoe Saldana is reportedly in talks to scoop the role of Gamora in the forthcoming Marvel Studios adaptation of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.

The star of 'Avatar' will trade in her blue hue for green, playing the humanoid alien, the adopted daughter of the supervillain Thanos, who appeared at briefly in the credits of 'Avengers Assemble'.

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Gamora is the last of her species, saved by Thanos to become his assassin, but then turned against him to join the Guardians.

If she lands the role, Saldana – who also appears as Uhuru in JJ Abrams' 'Star Trek' series – will join Chris Pratt in the slowly growing cast, who has landed the role of the Guardians' leader Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord.

Also recently appointed to director James 'Super' Gunn's anticipated project is WWE star Dave Bautista, who is said to have beaten 'Game of Thrones' star Jason Momoa to the role of Drax The Destroyer.

No word yet on who will fill the remaining roles of Groot, the giant tree-man, or Rocket Raccoon, the trigger-happy, genetically engineered galactic mammal.

Both Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey were said to be in line for the latter character, but Carrey recently denied the rumours.

“Never heard of it. Never heard of it, honest to God,” he said. “There's a whole world [of rumours] out there that's created on its own. I'm not dead either.”

More casting news must be in the pipeline, however, with the film slated for release next summer as part of Marvel Studios' 'phase two' plans, which includes the likes of 'Avengers 2', Edgar Wright's 'Ant-Man' and 'Thor: The Dark World'.