Kevin Feige Doesn't Know When Nova's First MCU Appearance Will Be

Kevin Feige reveals he doesn't know when Nova's first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance will be in the wakes of rumors swirling of a solo film. Created by Marv Wolfman, the character originally made his comic book debut as The Star before Wolfman began working with Marvel Comics and partnered with artist John Romita Sr. to tweak his design and create a new origin story. Nova would properly debut in 1976's The Man Called Nova, in which the last surviving member of the elite Nova Corps, Rhomann Dey, is dying and selects New York high school student Richard Rider to replace him.

In the years since, another version of Nova was introduced in teenager Sam Alexander from creator Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness, in which he faced off against the likes of Dark Phoenix Cyclops, the Chitauri and Diamondhead and was a part of the Avengers and New Warriors. Both versions of Nova have appeared in multiple media formats, including various video games, while Sam appeared in the animated shows Ultimate Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy voiced by Logan Miller, the former of which saw him don the mantle of Nova Prime. Audiences have been clamoring to see Nova brought to life for the MCU and it appears the studio is contemplating how to introduce the character into its universe.

In a recent interview with Brandon Davis for ComicBook.com's Phase Zero podcast, Feige was asked about Nova's future in the MCU. After a chuckling hesitation to answer when Nova's first MCU appearance could be, the studio head revealed he's uncertain at the moment where the character might show up first and compared it to the introduction of Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. See what Feige said below:

"Black Panther is a great example, we were always working on a Black Panther standalone, the world of Wakanda and how to dive into that. Then the opportunity for him to appear first in Captain America: Civil War, so it always varies."

Feige's initial hesitation in the interview proves an interesting little moment, given the Marvel Studios head is typically quick with an answer for even the most secretive of projects. Given a report came out earlier this year that a Nova solo project is supposedly in the works at the studio and aiming for a 2023 production start, this brief bit of thinking on Feige's part could be a minor indication of there being some truth to the character's impending MCU arrival. However, with Marvel's upcoming roster of titles already stacked for the next few years, it does seem just as likely a solo project may be a ways away.

Comic book fans have been clamoring for the introduction of Nova into the MCU since the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie featured John C. Reilly as Rhomann Dey. With Avengers: Infinity War revealing Xandar to be destroyed, it's currently unclear as to whether Dey or Glenn Close's Irani Rael, also known as Nova Prime, are still alive and capable of passing on the mantle to a young Richard Rider or Sam Alexander. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 coming in 2023, audiences may have to wait a while before Nova's MCU plan becomes clear.

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Source: Brandon Davis/Instagram