As reported Monday, Marvel Studios and director James Gunn have added thespian Benicio Del Toro to the progressively stellar cast of their Guardians of the Galaxy space epic adaptation. While the Academy Award-winning actor's lead role is unknown, his character is apparently “built to be part of future Marvel films,” which leads to speculation that The Wolfman actor is playing Thanos. However, a very reliable source confirms that Benicio Del Toro will really be playing Taneleer Tivan.
Better known as The Collector, one of the oldest sentient beings in all the cosmos, Taneleer Tivan's inclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy isn't exactly news. British actress Ophelia Lovibond was revealed last month to be playing a character in the film who “aides” Tivan. However, now that we know it's The Collector who's being set up for later appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, besides Guardians sequels, could Benicio Del Toro be reprising the role in The Avengers sequel?
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond, John C. Reilly, Enzo Cilenti, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan and Glenn Close with Benicio Del Toro, Guardians of the Galaxy is written & directed by James Gunn, and is set to be released in theaters on August 1, 2014.
Here's a little background info on The Collector via Marvel Wikia: After Taneleer Tivan's daughter Carina matured and abandoned him and his wife Matani, Matani soon died of mysteries causes. Tivan, who had thought that Matani was as immortal as him, could not resist it. He eventually had a vision seeing powerful things that would rise, determined to destroy the universe. He decided to prevent this from happening and dedicate his life to collect artifacts and living beings throughout the universe to place them out of danger. Then, after the destruction of the universe, he could re-populate it and bequeath the knowledge and cultures from past. What do you think?