John C. Reilly, who starred in “Step Brothers” has been offered the role of Rhomann Dey in director James Gunn’s new film “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 

Based on the Marvel comic books that started in the late 1960’s, “Guardians of the Galaxy” is an futuristic action film set in a universe featuring aliens, superhuman fighters, talking trees, and armed racoons and walruses. 

Dey is a human character and works as a middleman between the S.H.E.I.L.D. and the Guardian of the Galaxy.  In the comic books Dey is the leader of the Nova Corps, an intergalactic military force. Dey would have a sidekick working with him, but it remains unknown who will play that part. Actors Hugh Laurie, Alan Rickman, and Ken Watanbe have been considered. 

A couple members of the cast have already been announced. Chris Patt will play policeman Star-Lord, also known as Peter Quill. Zoe Saldana, who has not fully committed to the project yet, may play Gamora, who was raised by Thanos after he wiped out her entire race. She has superhuman strength and speed and is trained in all the fighting arts. 

Dave Batista will play saxophone player turned superhuman warrior named Drax who has the ability to fire cosmic blasts and Lee Pace will play a villain who switches sides later in the film. Michael Rooker will play the film’s villain, Yondu, who resembles a space pirate at the beginning of the film. 

Marvel confirmed that it would make “Guardians of the Galaxy” at Comic Con in 2012. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely will likely help bring Nicole Perlman and Christopher McCoy’s script to life. Drew Pearce, who worked on “Iron Man 3,” was almost hired for the position.  

Reilly lent his voice to the 2012 summer Disney film “Wreck-It Ralph.” Some of his recent films include “Step Brothers,” “Carnage,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” 

The film is scheduled for release on August 1, 2014.