Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Rocket Raccoon Might Be…Bradley Cooper?
Is he the right man for the job?
This article is more than 2 years old
According to director James Gunn, the character of Rocket Raccoon will be the emotional center of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The gun-loving anthropomorphic raccoon is the director’s favorite character in the film, so the actor who will end up voicing him has to be just as lovable. While four of the five members of the Guardians of the Galaxy team have been cast, the role of Rocket Raccoon has remained a mystery. Considering the Marvel movie features an all-star cast, the actor who will voice Rocket needs to be a big draw to bring general audiences to the movie theater. Does Bradley Cooper count?
Latino Review’s “inside sources” at Marvel HQ have been hit or miss, but overall somewhat reliable. According to the site, Marvel Studios has offered actor Bradley Cooper the role of Rocket Raccoon in Guardians. If true — and if he accepts — Cooper would join the team of intergalactic peacekeepers that already includes actors Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, and Vin Diesel as the treelike alien Groot.
Bradley Cooper is an inspired choice to say the least. While he doesn’t come off as a tough guy like Rocket Raccoon, it seems as if Marvel and Gunn are going for a charming, boy scout-type with a sarcastic streak. Until Marvel, James Gunn, or Bradley Cooper actually confirm it, however, take this rumor with a grain of salt.
Cooper is most recognizable as Phil Wenneck from the Hangover trilogy. He was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook last year. Cooper will also be featured in the new David O. Russell film American Hustle, co-starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Robert De Niro, set to release later this year.
There were early rumors that actors Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler would play either Rocket Raccoon or Groot. It’s really a good thing that Marvel didn’t go in this direction, considering that neither actor has been funny for years. It’s also unlikely Carrey or Sandler would fit in with the cast, especially after Jim Carrey’s statements about Kick-Ass 2 and having a change of heart when it comes to playing violent movie characters. Rocket Raccoon is extremely violent!
As for more substantive Guardians news, James Gunn announced on his Facebook page that film composer Tyler Bates will score the new Marvel movie. Gunn is actually having Bates write some of the music in advance, so they can play it on set to set the mood for the Guardians actors. Gunn explains:
Grateful to be working with my favorite composer, Tyler Bates, on Guardians of the Galaxy. Unlike most films, Tyler writes huge chunks of the score first so that I can actually film to the music. During action scenes and huge dramatic moments we blare the score on set so that the cast, crew, and camera can move in harmony with the music. Music is often an afterthought in film, but never for us. And everything Tyler’s done so far has been amazing!
Tyler Bates has scored all of James Gunn’s films to date, including Slither and Super, so it’s no surprise that Gunn enlisted Bates for Guardians of the Galaxy. Bates has also scored films for director Zack Snyder, including 300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch, and the Dawn of the Dead remake.
James Gunn describes Guardians of the Galaxy as being about “a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.” The Marvel movie will also feature Benicio del Toro, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, and Glenn Close as Nova Prime.
Guardians of the Galaxy will hit theaters everywhere on August 1, 2014, in 3D.
