Glenn Close will lead the Nova Corps in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

If there's a tradition that seems to be forming around Marvel's second-tier films, it's casting veteran screen legends into authoritative roles. So we get Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Redford in the Captain America films, Thor with Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and now we can look forward to Glenn Close in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Continuing the random casting of Marvel's offbeat superhero film, Deadline reports that Close will play a leader in the universal police force known as the Nova Corps, essentially confirming their presence once and for all. Her character is being described as similar to Nick Fury, which is interesting since John C. Reilly's role has been compared to Agent Coulson. Are Marvel and James Gunn considering adding the intergalactic espionage agency known as SWORD into the mix as SHIELD's counterpoint?  It's not clear if Close's role is the same one that was reportedly being circled by Ken Watanabe, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Laurie, or if it's completely different. Whatever the case, it'll be interesting to see how the six-time Oscar nominee handles herself opposite talking raccoons and alien space pirates.

Close joins Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond, Lee Pace, and John C. Reilly, with the roles of Rocket Raccoon and Groot yet to be filled. Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters on August 1st 2014.