Scottish Actress Karen Gillan is joining the cast of Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy.  The Scottish actress, who had a remarkable fan-friendly run as Doctor Who’s companion Amy Pond in the revived science fiction show's fifth through 7th series, will play the movie’s lead female villain.  Playing a villain in Guardians should represent a major stretch for the actress from the lovable (and beloved)  role of Amy Pond.

The cast for director James Gunn’s outer space epic is shaping up quickly since Marvel hopes to begin shooting the effects-heavy outer space saga in late June for an August 1st, 2014 debut.  Gillan joins a cast that already includes Glenn Close (see "Glenn Close Joins 'Guardians' Cast"), Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and David Bautista.  Multiple reports indicate that John C. Reilly is circling a Phil Coulson-type of role as a liaison between the Guardians and S.H.I.E.L.D. (see "Ruffalo Signed for 'Avengers 2'").

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gillan will join a trio of villains that also includes Lee Pace and Michael Rooker.