However, sources caution that proceedings are at the early stages, with the actor not having an official offer nor even having read the script. But both Marvel and director James Gunn as well as Russell seem optimistic the outcome will be positive.

Gunn is back as helmer and writer for the sequel to 2014’s surprise hit that grossed $774 million, with the erstwhile cast, including Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista and voice stars Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel returning as well. Pom Klementieff is among the newcomers to the follow-up.

If things work out, Russell will play the father of Pratt’s Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, who has a human mother but an alien dad. The father is mentioned in the first movie and the relationship will be a focal point in the new picture.

Guardians Vol. 2 has a release date of May 5, 2017. Shooting to set to start in early 2016.

Russell played many iconic geek characters in the early 1980s, a cinematic era from which the first Guardians took many cues, with such characters as Escape from New York's Snake Plissken and Big Trouble in Little China's Jack Burton giving him cachet amongst fandom and filmmakers alike.

The actor recently starred in Bone Tomahawk, the well-received cannibal Western, and is one of the stars of Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, which opens wide on Jan. 1.

Russell is repped by CAA.