Bradley Cooper and Elizabeth Olsen are in negotiations with Marvel Studios to join the casts of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” respectively.
Cooper is up for the role as the voice of the genetically altered space procyonid, Rocket Raccoon, while Olsen is courting the part of Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlett Witch for “The Avengers” sequel. Sources have stated that Olsen is farther along in the mediation process than Cooper.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” is currently filming in London. If Cooper voices Rocket Raccoon, he could be teamed up with Vin Diesel, who may be providing the vocals for the giant tree-man Groot. In the comic books, Groot and Rocket are best friends. Both characters will be created through the magic of CGI.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” is scheduled for an August 1, 2014 release. The film stars Chris Pratt, Zoë Saldaña, Karen Gillan, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Glenn Close, Dave Bautista, Ophelia Lovibond and Enzo Cilenti. Chris McCoy, Nicole Perlman, and James Gunn wrote the screenplay based on the Marvel comic book by the same name originally created by Gene Colan, Arnold Drake, Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning. James Gunn directs.
Younger sister of famous show business twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Elizabeth is best known for her roles in independent films. She was nominated for numerous awards for her performance as Martha in the critically acclaimed “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”
As stated, Olsen is vying for the role of The Scarlet Witch, who has the mutant ability to alter probabilities to affect certain outcomes. At times, her powers have been able to reshape reality. The character is the daughter of the mutant and “Master of Magnetism” Magneto. Her twin brother is mutant speedster Pietro Maximoff a.k.a. Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson.) Both the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver began their comic book origins as villains, but were added to the Avengers to become pivotal and essential core superhero characters. The Scarlet Witch went on to marry the Ultron created android known as The Vision.
“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is scheduled for a May 1, 2015 release. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie and Cobie Smulders. Joss Whedon wrote the screenplay based on the characters created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Joss Whedon directs.
Cooper will play F.B.I. agent Richie DiMaso in director David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” which opens on Christmas Day.
Olsen recently wrapped shooting on Legendary’s upcoming “Godzilla“ movie.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, IMDb