If Marvel continues its stunt casting trend into Phase 5, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's big cameo should be none other than Nova. In recent projects, Marvel has employed a practice known as stunt casting, which involves surprising, high-profile cameos in movies or shows. This tactic has since become one of Phase 4's biggest trends.

Through stunt casting, Marvel has introduced a handful of key MCU characters in post-credits scenes. The first instance of this in Phase 4 came in Eternals when Marvel brought in pop star Harry Styles to play Starfox. Other movies, such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder wound up following suit by introducing Charlize Theron as Clea and Brett Goldstein as Hercules respectively. With the precedent these films have created, it won't be a surprise if the approach is carried on by Phase 5 movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

RELATED:GOTG 3 Can Set Up The MCU's First Proper X-Men Villain

The MCU Already Teased Nova's Debut

The Nova Corps armored up in Guardians of the Galaxy

If Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 keeps the trend alive, its best choice for a shocking cameo would be Nova. Nova is reportedly joining the MCU in the near future, so it would make sense for Marvel to set him up soon. The movie can do just that by tying in with events that have already happened. Essentially, the MCU already laid the groundwork for Nova's arrival when it revealed that Thanos "decimated" Xandar in his efforts to take the Power Stone from the Nova Corps in Avengers: Infinity War. In the comics, Richard Rider's destiny as Nova began with Xandar's downfall and the defeat of the Nova Corps.

If what happened to the Nova Corps in Avengers: Infinity War is a plot point in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (and the team's Nova Corps uniforms indicate it will be), it could be used to segue into a massive post-credits reveal that teases Richard Rider becoming his comic book counterpart. Showing the character get his hands on the helmet that will imbue him with the powers of the Nova Centurion could be enough to build hype for Nova's MCU movie or show. Also, casting a well-known or recognizable actor in the role could help garner the attention of those unfamiliar with the Human Rocket's comic history.

Nova In GOTG3's Post-Credits Would Be The Multiverse Saga's Best Yet

As important comic heroes who have long-missing from the MCU, Clea, Hercules, and Starfox were all noteworthy additions to the Multiverse Saga, but a Nova cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would promise to be the best of them all. After all, Nova is a pillar of the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe, making his introduction - regardless of when it happens - a landmark moment for the MCU. Not only that, but teasing Nova at the end of James Gunn's final Guardians of the Galaxy movie can serve as a passing of the baton. With Marvel closing the door on Star-Lord and his team, it would be perfectly fitting for a post-credits scene to allow a glimpse at the character who can lead the next generation of cosmic superheroes.

NEXT:Why MCU's Nova Movie Could Have One Guardians Of The Galaxy Character

Key Release Dates