REPORT: Zoe Saldana In Talks for Major Role in Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

When it comes to cosmic franchises, Zoe Saldana is no stranger, appearing in both James Cameron's Avatar and JJ Abrams' Star Trek series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Saldana is on the verge of adding yet another space-based movie to that list, with the actress in talks to play Gamora in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

Saldana would play Gamora, the green-skinned humanoid who is the last of a species that was exterminated by a race known as the Badoon. She also happens to be a skilled assassin.

Saldana would join Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista as Marvel fills out the Guardians roster. With Pratt and Bautista on board as Peter Quill/Star-Lord and Drax, respectively, the movie is still looking for actors to play Groot and Rocket Raccoon.

Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be a big deal for Saldana, probably making her a household name (in households where she isn't already) and putting her in line to become the franchise's second-biggest female lead after Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow. No word yet on whether Marvel plans on going the green makeup route or having Saldana re-enter the world of motion-capture to play Gamora.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the most ambitious piece of Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing audiences to a property that the average comic-book movie fan is probably unfamiliar with. James Gunn is directing, with Guardians of the Galaxy expected to hit theaters on Aug. 1, 2014.