Marvel Studios is reportedly planning a Nova movie as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the pages of Marvel Comics, human Richard Rider, a.k.a. “Nova” is chosen as a teenager by Rhomann Dey, the last surviving Centurion of Xandar's Nova Corps, to inherit his power and succeed him in the rank of Nova Prime—who possesses super strength, near invulnerability, flight, and a uniform with a sealed life-support system. Following the establishment of Rhomann Dey (John C. Reilly) and the Nova Corps in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, fans have anticipated the arrival of Rider’s Nova.

At one point, Nova was set to appear in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Before the events of the former, Thanos acquires the Power Stone and decimates Xandar and the Nova Corps off screen. Nova was originally the one sent to Earth to warn the Avengers about Thanos in place of Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Regardless, it makes sense for Rhomann Dey to have recruited a replacement in the wake of Thanos to help rebuild the galaxy. The Russo brothers have even teased that Nova was secretly in Endgame’s climactic battle while Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige, has said that Nova has "immediate potential" to join the MCU. With Nova at the top of Marvel’s list and a full slate of movies and Disney+ shows making up Phase 4, it’s only a matter of time before he makes his debut.

Related: How Marvel Has Already Set Up Nova For The MCU

According to The GWW, in 2023, Marvel Studios will begin production on a Thunderbolts adaptation, the Fantastic Four movie, a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever spinoff series, and a Nova project. While their slate/timeline was recently pushed back, with multiple films being delayed, the studio previously announced seven untitled films for 2023 and 2024. To clarify, a solo Nova movie hasn’t been officially confirmed, so it seems likely the character will appear elsewhere before starring in his own film.

Nova flying in outer space.

Similar to characters like Captain Marvel, the mantle of Nova is bestowed upon more than just Rider. The comics recently introduced a younger and new Nova, a Latino teenager named Sam Alexander. When asked about Nova and whether or not he’d appear as Rider or Alexander, Feige previously teased that both characters will appear in the MCU. That being said, audiences may meet Rider as an already-established hero and then see Alexander in a Young Avengers-style project—which would certainly align itself with Marvel Studios’ recent strides toward improving its representation.

Being a staple of Marvel’s cosmic stories, Nova could be introduced to any of Phase 4’s upcoming space-driven properties, including Thor: Love and Thunder, Secret Invasion, The Marvels, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Given the Nova Corps and Rhomann Dey already being introduced in the latter franchise, it seems plausible for the studio to use James Gunn’s MCU swan song to at least allude to the power and responsibilities of Nova. However, they could just as easily cover everything in a solo film.

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

Source: The GWW

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