'The Walking Dead' star Michael Rooker was openly lobbying to voice Rocket Raccoon in Marvel's upcoming 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movie. The bad news? He didn't get the part. The good news? He got another part. Rooker has joined the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' cast as Yondu Udonta of the planet Centauri IV. Don't worry, we'll explain.

Via Deadline, Rooker, who previously worked with 'Guardians' director James Gunn on 'Slither' and 'Super,' will star in Marvel's next original film as Yondu, a Zatoan humanoid who isn't a full member of the Guardians but is closely affiliated with the team. Yondu has no superpowers but does possess an ability to connect with nature in a sixth sense kind of way. With the participation of Yondu in the film, it could mean that the Badoon (similar to the Kree and the Skrulls and even the Chitauri from 'The Avengers') are the main bad guys of 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'

Rooker already looks the part having been spotted yesterday with his hair in a Mohawk like the character. (Spoilers ahead for those of you who haven't seen 'Walking Dead' season 3, yet.) As 'Dead' fans are well aware, Rooker's Merle was killed off at the end of the latest 'Walking Dead' season, leaving some fans (and Norman Reedus' Daryl) devastated, but obviously that opened his schedule up for bigger things.

'Guardians of the Galaxy' hits theaters on August 20, 2014.

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