With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 being the end of director James Gunn’s trilogy, his previous missing Nova explanation could support a Star-Lord death theory. Introduced in 2014, the Guardians of the Galaxy have become some of the MCU’s most beloved heroes for their wit, humor, and familial bond. At the helm is Peter Quill’s Star-Lord, the team’s only human member and the reason why Gunn didn’t include Nova in the initial Guardians of the Galaxy movie. With the third installment likely being a send-off for the original team, a natural conclusion to Peter Quill’s arc could see his death as well as the introduction of another cosmic hero.

Richard Rider was a regular teenager on Earth before being chosen to take up the mantle of Nova. Mortally wounded after the decimation of planet Xander, Rhomann Dey chose a human at random to transfer his powers to in hopes that they would avenge his home. Both Dey and Xander were set up in Guardians of the Galaxy, and the subsequent destruction of Xander was inferred in Avengers: Infinity War. This seems like a natural setup for the introduction of Richard Rider in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but to do that, Star-Lord will need to die.

Related: Marvel’s Nova Plans Set Up Guardians of the Galaxy 4 In Phase 5

Why Cutting Nova From Guardians Of The Galaxy 1 Was Right

The Guardians of the Galaxy are arrested in GOTG 1

At the time of their introduction, the Guardians of the Galaxy were a new concept for the MCU. With an ensemble cast of completely new characters, there was already much setup that had to be done in the first film. Having to set up Richard Rider’s Nova in addition to each of the other characters would’ve been too much for one movie and better saved for a later installment like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

To support James Gunn’s explanation, the team’s dynamic was so successful because of their differences. Having each character be the only of their kind on the team has them clash, but it also lets them share their individual worldviews. Two humans in the group in Peter Quill and Richard Rider would have too many similarities and wouldn’t have let either of them have their full moment. Cutting Richard Rider's Nova allowed for the first film to set up Xander and the Nova Corps in the MCU that by the time of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, those pieces of Nova’s story would already be explained.

Why Adding Nova Into Guardians Of The Galaxy Now Would Work

Guardians of the Galaxy in Nova Corp uniform in Vol. 3

Since Thanos already had possession of the Power stone when invading the Asgardian ship in Avengers: Infinity War, it’s inferred that he had already decimated Xander and the Nova Corps. Peter Quill’s character arc is also coming to an end, and many believe that the most honorable way to send off Star-Lord would be for him to die. Even if he were to survive Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Star-Lord will likely leave the team, making room for another human hero like Nova on the team.

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a beloved group in the MCU, but several of the original characters’ stories are coming to an end. Richard Rider’s Nova is an important character that needs to be introduced in order to set up a larger cosmic universe. Whether Peter Quill lives or dies in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the introduction of Richard Rider now would make perfect sense, all while staying true to James Gunn’s original plan.

More: GOTG 3 Hints The Guardians Recreated Vol 1's Nova Corps

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