Casting MCU's Nova: Who Should Play Richard Rider

Now that the Nova movie is reportedly moving forward, here are the actors who should be considered to join the MCU's Nova cast as Richard Rider. Not long after Guardians of the Galaxy launched the cosmic side of the MCU, fans began waiting to see when Nova would join the shared universe. With a solo Nova movie coming in Phase 5, it might not be long before the MCU's Nova casts Richard Rider.

Richard Rider's story as Nova dates back to 1976 in the pages of Marvel Comics. It was in Nova #1 that the New York teenager became imbued with the power of the Nova Corps, which soon saw him travel to Xandar to help protect the decimated planet. Rider's career as Nova blossomed from this point forward. After a stint back on Earth that included joining the New Warriors, Nova's journey to becoming one of Marvel's greatest cosmic heroes began. He used the Nova Force to restore the Xandar once more and took on a primary role in the fight against the Annihilation Wave. It was after this portion of Nova's life that he then joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and continued to protect the cosmos from threats like Thanos and more.

The MCU has already started to lay the foundation for Richard Rider's origin, and there are several different directions Marvel Studios could go when casting Nova. It isn't yet known what type of actor Kevin Feige and the Marvel team is specifically looking for in their future Richard Rider actor, but that won't stop speculation from growing about who will get the role. As a result, here are some actors who should be considered to be the MCU's Nova actor.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling could be at the top of Marvel Studios' list to play Nova in the MCU. Gosling is no stranger to big sci-fi projects, as he played Neil Armstrong in First Man and starred in Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049. While he's also well known for his rom-com roles, Gosling is also a two-time Oscar nominee and someone Marvel Studios has been interested in before. He was previously in consideration to play Doctor Strange before Benedict Cumberbatch agreed to be the Sorcerer Supreme. Now with Nova on the horizon, it could be time for Marvel to look at him again for Richard Rider.

Should Ryan Gosling become the MCU's Nova actor, he has everything fans and Marvel could want in someone who will be Richard Rider for years to come. Gosling's version of Nova will be firmly established as the cosmic hero, but he can still have some of the youthful energy Rider was known for early on in his comic career. Movies like The Nice Guys show Gosling's comedic range that often isn't utilized in his films. However, he also is well-suited to get a bit darker with the role as Nova experiences more hardships. Since he is one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood who hasn't done a superhero movie yet, getting cast as the MCU's Nova could be something that interests Gosling as well.

Dev Patel

When it comes time to find the MCU's Nova actor, Dev Patel should also be looked at by Marvel Studios. Following his breakout role in 2008's Slumdog Millionaire, Patel has had quite a fascinating career. Patel has found success starring in smaller films that earned critical praise, such as Lion or, more recently, in The Green Knight. However, he was previously turned off from other massive projects after a bad experience with big-budget IP thanks to M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender. If he's finally ready to do it again, a trip to cosmos to be Richard Rider in the MCU could come next.

Based on when Nova is expected to begin filming, Patel will be in his mid-30s when the movie starts and offers a slightly younger option to Marvel Studios. Although the Indian actor looks completely different than Rider's white and blonde comic appearance, he can still capture the spirit of Richard Rider. Patel's version of Nova can still be a New York native if need be, and his natural charisma would fit well with Richard Rider's earlier days as a hero. Of course, suppose he has been active in the MCU for a while, such as during The Blip, and is the only Nova at the moment. In that case, Patel's performance as Richard Rider can draw on some of the same mixture of insecurity and bravery that helped make audiences connect with Sir Gaiwan in The Green Knight.

Logan Lerman

Another possible MCU Nova actor could be Logan Lerman. Arguably best known for his role in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Lerman is no stranger to Disney-owned franchise films. He previously starred in two Percy Jackson movies but pivoted away from those types of projects since. His performances in Fury and Hunters allowed Lerman to show some other sides of himself, which show his potential as Richard Rider.

As the youngest suggestion on this list of actors to play Nova, Lerman's version of Richard Rider can skew more towards the earliest parts of Nova's story. That youthfulness originally attracted Marvel Studios to Lerman when they were searching for someone to play the MCU's Spider-Man. After missing out on that role, Logan Lerman would be a great option to be cast as Nova. It's also clear from his filmography that he can go to darker places if needed, which could benefit Marvel as Nova's MCU story progresses.

Steven Yeun

Glenn covered in blood on The Walking Dead

Steven Yeun could also be considered to play Nova in the MCU. Best known for playing Glenn on The Walking Dead for many seasons, Yeun has recently found himself in a different type of superhero role. He voiced Mark Grayson in Amazon's Invincible animated show, and his voice performance offers a glimpse of what him playing a superhero is like. Yeun is continuing to rise through Hollywood, though, after his Oscar-nominated performance in Minari. Becoming the MCU's Nova actor could be next up.

When it comes to thinking about what could set Yeun apart from other actors who could be Richard Rider, his reputation for playing kind, thoughtful, and underdog-type characters stands out. These qualities fit well with Nova and could help shape him as a genuinely heroic cosmic protector. Yeun can capture Rider's flaws as well, but it's easy to see how he could help make Nova someone audiences always trust will do the right thing.

Glen Powell

Hangman shirtless at the beach celebrating in Top Gun 2 Maverick

An on-the-rise actor who could also be of interest to play Richard Rider is Glen Powell. He is currently best known for comedies like Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! and the rom-com Set It Up, but Powell seems poised for a big breakout soon. Glen Powell's role in Top Gun: Maverick was created specifically for him after he impressed Tom Cruise, and the glimpses of that role show he is already in superhero shape. Marvel could start to get ahead of this potential breakout and lock him down to be the MCU's Nova.

Glen Powell's version of Nova would likely align nicely with how Richard Rider has been portrayed in the comics. He could bring a bit more of a comedic take to the character, which fits well with the MCU's general tone. Powell will still be in his mid-30s when it comes time to suit up as Nova as well. That can help ensure Richard Rider will have a long and promising MCU future after Nova, one that Glen Powell can grow into and handle all of the character's ups and downs.

More: When Will Nova Join The MCU? Upcoming Marvel Movies & Shows He Could Appear In