Will Joseph Gordon-Levitt Join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Lead in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'?

Just over a month ago, everyone was talking about the rumor that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would assume the role of Batman in Justice League, a rumor that the actor's reps quickly denied. Gordon-Levitt didn't stay away from the superhero movie rumor mill for long though, with Deadline reporting that he's being considered for the role of Peter Quill/Star-Lord in Marvel's upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy.

Over the past few weeks, a bunch of names have been associated with this role. Chuck's Zachary Levi, Les Miserables' Eddie Redmayne, Warrior's Joel Edgerton and Cloud Atlas' Jim Sturgess were just a few of the actors that Marvel was testing out for the key character in Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel needs to attach a familiar face to this franchise, as Guardians of the Galaxy isn't as well-known as Iron Man and the rest of the pieces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Gordon-Levitt is definitely having a moment right now, with Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises leaving the actor as the logical next choice to play Batman if Warner Bros. chooses to set Justice League within the continuity that The Dark Knight Trilogy established. If Gordon-Levitt were to take on the Star-Lord role, his involvement with Warner Bros. and its superhero universe would be done. Guardians of the Galaxy is a Marvel tentpole movie, and the films involved with the Marvel Cinematic Universe come with multi-picture deals. Marvel wouldn't sign Gordon-Levitt to a one-and-done contract.

Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters on Aug. 1, 2014, so the studio has to start locking in actors for the the movie's main roles soon. Gordon-Levitt would immediately bring the property a huge amount of credibility.