If the casting of Zoe Saldana as Gamora in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie didnt remind you of Avatar, the recently announced news (via
Deadline) that Michael Rooker is joining the cast as Yondu Udonta - a blue-skinned primitive tribesman who hunts with a bow and arrows - will certainly do that. Yondu has no special powers but is highly skilled with projectile weapons and is strongly in tune with nature and animals - basically the popular Native American Indian stereotype, but set in the future on another planet. And blue. Rooker, who recently finished an acclaimed run on AMCs hit show The Walking Dead, featured in a vine video shot by director James Gunn
two days ago and the speculation was that Rooker was going to be cast as Rocket Raccoon. Now it seems he will be appearing in Gunns next movie but as an even more obscure Marvel character! Its also an unexpected pick as Yondu Udonta was a founding member of the original 1969 Guardians of the Galaxy team and the forthcoming movie is said to be based upon the 2008 reboot featuring a totally different line-up. In the comics Yondu was born in the 30th century which raises the question of when the GotG movie is going to be set - will it tie into the current movie Marvel Universe with the Avengers or will it be completely disconnected and set 1000 years in the future? And if Yondu is getting cast, can we expect to see the other original GotG team members, like Charlie 27, Vance Astro and Starhawk to make an appearance? Currently in pre-production, Guardians of the Galaxy is scheduled for release on August 1st, 2014.