Concept art from Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy" film, by Charlie Wen.

Following earlier reports that he was in talks for the role, Marvel Studios officially announced Friday that Bradley Cooper will voice Rocket Raccoon in the upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy" film.

The official release is light in details, stating that Cooper has joined the cast and listing some of his credits, which include the "Hangover" trilogy and an Academy Award nomination for last year's "Silver Linings Playbook."

The voice of Rocket Raccoon was one of the final missing pieces of the "Guardians" cast, along with the character's frequent partner, Groot. Vin Diesel confirmed during a "Riddick" press junket interview published this week that he had talked with Marvel about the role, and that it was now "up to his reps" to make it happen.

First introduced by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen in 1976's "Marvel Preview" #7, Rocket Raccoon is a walking, talking anthropomorphic raccoon -- and heavily armed adventurer. The character first became a part of the Guardians of the Galaxy with the series that launched in 2008, and co-stars in the current volume, written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Written and directed by James Gunn and also starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Benicio del Toro, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly and Glenn Close, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is currently filming in London, with a scheduled release date of Aug. 1, 2014.