We brought you the news back in August when Marvel Studios hired writer Chris McCoy to pen the script for their forthcoming big-screen adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy, based off of an original draft written by Nicole Perlman, and that James Gunn was getting set to direct.

But rumors have been running rampant since the title was first announced at last summer’s Comic-Con about who might be cast to play the lead character Star-Lord. Names tossed about included Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), Jim Sturgess (Cloud Atlas), Lee Pace (Lincoln and The Hobbit), Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables), and most recently, Zachary Levi and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Now Deadline is reporting that the role is being filled by Chris Pratt of Zero Dark Thirty and Parks and Recreation. Whether Levi has independent information or he just read the same thing we did, he did tweet this:

Congrats @prattprattpratt on GotG. I hope you @jamesgunn have an epic time in London with the wonderful people you’ll be surrounded by.

— Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) February 6, 2013

If you recognize Mr. Pratt from both Zero Dark Thirty and Parks and Recreation you know that he had to change his shape for the former. Here’s more about his training for that part and for others, on Conan:

Clip: Conan on TBS – Chris Pratt Got RIPPED To Be In “Zero Dark Thirty”
[youtube]http://youtu.be/koJeoS6pPyM[/youtube]

We’re guessing he’ll be going for more of the “SEAL” look for Guardians of the Galaxy.

[Below] Concept art of the team to be featured in Guardians of the Galaxy – Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Star-Lord, Rocket Racoon, and Gamora.

Guardians of the Galaxy is slated to hit theaters on August 1, 2014.