Marvel are in pre-production on their next blockbuster, to shoot in the UK this summer. Guardians of the Galaxy is based on the original Marvel comics superheroes of the 1960s, charged with protecting the universe.

Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana are reported to be among the cast, with filming due to begin in late June at Shepperton and Longcross.

The screenplay is by Nicole Perlman and Chris McCoy, and the director is James Gunn, whose previous credits include Slither and Super. Casting director Reg Poerscout-Edgerton is among the key UK production personnel on onboard, working alongside the US” Sarah Finn.

Shooting over here has already proved a hit for the Marvel team, with features such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor: The Dark World utilising UK studios and talent. It has recently also been reported that The Avengers 2 is due to film at Pinewood/Shepperton early next year.

Further information on Guardians of the Galazy can be found on Production Intelligence, the online database of productions from The Knowledge.