Report: Chris Pratt is Star-Lord in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

XXX poses for a portrait during the 36th Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 8 in Toronto, Canada. (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri)

Deadline reports that Chris Pratt (“Zero Dark Thirty”) is Marvel Studios’ next big hero, signing on for the role of Star-Lord in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Pratt, who co-stars on “Parks and Recreation,” also recently appeared in “Moneyball.”

Star-Lord, aka Peter Quill, is the son of a human mother and alien father who leads a galactic superteam of protectors.

Others rumored to be in contention for the role included Joel Edgerton, Eddie Redmayne and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The film is set for an Aug. 1, 2014 release.

The Guardians of the Galaxy return to comics in “Guardians of the Galaxy” issue 0.1 on Feb. 27.  The comic is written by Brian Michael Bendis (“The Avengers,” “Ultimate Spider-Man”) and drawn by Steve McNiven (“Civil War”).   Issue No. 1 is set for March 27.

Here’s how Marvel describes the new series:

Some threats to all of reality prove to be bigger than even the Avengers can handle, and that’s when you call in Peter Quill’s team of space-faring heroes. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot and new addition Iron Man will have their hands full as Marvel NOW! cranks up the outer space intrigue!