While most of Marvel’s Phase 2 plans involve continuing the franchises they’ve already started – Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Avengers – they’re also taking a gamble on another superhero team, Guardian Of The Galaxy.

Now they’re starting to put the cast together, with Deadline reporting that Joel Edgerton, Jim Sturgess, Jack Huston, Lee Pace, and Eddie Redmayne have signed deals to audition for the role of Guardians leader Peter Quill.

James Marsden, Garrett Hedlund, and Sullivan Stapleton have also reportedly shown interest in the role, although it is not known if they are planning to audition. It’s an interestingly diverse bunch of actors, none of whom are household names but represent very different physical types and range in age from early 20s to late 30s.

Peter Quill is a former NASA astronaut who eventually comes to learn that his father is an alien, which leads him into outer space. Armed with a sentient ship and a suit that enhances his strength, Quill eventually transforms into the Star-Lord.

James Gunn is due to direct the movie, which already has a release date set of August 1st, 2014. When it was first announced, it looked like the movie would be CGI, but it now appears it will indeed by live action. There’s no news either on whether this will be tied into the other Marvel movies or stand alone (as Thor 2 takes the God to more realms, it could give an opportunity for an early crossover, but that hasn’t been confirmed).