Movies News Talk
For good reason, the Nova project of the MCU is among its most awaited ones. Although the Nova Corps debuted in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, the MCU hasn't yet highlighted its most well-known member—Earthborn Richard Rider. That seems to be about to change, though.
Kevin Feige confirmed in a July 2024 interview that a Nova show featuring Richard Rider is in fact under development. Feige projected the show to still be "three or four years out," with a 2027–2028 release window.
Nova Release Time Window
This expected release window positions the Nova show either just before or following Avengers: Secret Wars. This implies that the show might either fit the end of the Mcu Multiverse Saga or mark a new phase for the franchise. Nova's lore mostly takes place in space, thus the show might include specifics on the situation of galactic affairs at that point in the timeline, maybe even bringing back familiar names like Star-Lord or the Guardians Of The Galaxy.
One wonders how the Nova show might fit within the larger Mcu schedule. The Nova show becomes even more fascinating with the whispers of an MCU reboot following Avengers: Secret Wars. While a show following Secret Wars could support the reboot theory, a Nova project released right before Secret Wars could imply that a full reboot is less likely.
Marvel Studios' Head of Television, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, disclosed that a Nova show or film is just in their very early phases of development. He expressed his excitement for the project and his want to bring Richard Rider to the screen without specifics.
Nova's Future narrative
Key basis for Nova's beginnings in the MCU is Xandar's devastation at hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. John C. Reilly's character, Rhomann Dey, from the first Guardians Of The Galaxy movie already resides in the MCU. Thus, the program might easily show Richard Rider being chosen by Dey to resurrect the Nova Corps, assigning him a task to reconstruct the force lost under Thanos.
Although Richard Rider takes front stage, the MCU might also bring in another Nova from Earth, Sam Alexander. Sam is a younger Corps member in the comics who inherited his father's helmet and turned into a hero when Rider got imprisoned in another world. These days, the two Novas collaborate in the comics. Rider's performance could open the door for Sam Alexander's later on introduction, so providing the MCU two distinct Novas.
Though Ryan Gosling refuted those rumors in 2022, rumors persisted that he was in negotiations to play Richard Rider. Gosling still makes a strong candidate for the part, though. Miles Teller, John Boyega, Zac Efron, or Taron Egerton are other well-known performers who might possibly don the recognizable Nova Centurion's helmet. This new update is positive even though it will probably be some time before more specifics on the Nova project become known, including casting.
The Nova project has been hinted at for years even while its official confirmation is yet pending. Richard Rider appeared with the Nova Corps in early Guardians of the Galaxy drafts before being finally cut from the script. In 2017, rumors started to circulate suggesting Marvel was looking at a Nova project.
Early iterations of Avengers: Infinity War also included Rider falling to Earth to alert of Thanos' approaching arrival after Xandar was destroyed. Kevin Feige even said Nova possessed "immediate potential." Though the Russos joked about Nova appearing in Avengers: Endgame, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely confirmed Rider was meant for both movies.
Reports surfaced in 2021 indicating Marvel Studios had a Nova film in development for 2023 release. Kevin Feige did, however, also say he had no idea where Richard Rider might initially show up in the MCU. Though there were expectations for a Richard Rider presence in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it did not transpire. But what if? Season 2 did highlight more on the Nova Corps, including their oath.
Marvel's dedication to widening the MCU's universe is shown by Nova's path from a reported project to a confirmed production. The show's premiere looks to introduce Richard Rider at last and investigate his intriguing past. Fans are eager to see how this cosmic hero will define the future of the franchise since Nova's entry into the MCU offers fascinating opportunities.