Rumours about a Nova standalone Marvel film, or even just a Nova cameo, have been around for years. Recently they've resurfaced with the (unconfirmed) report that Marvel is developing a film around the character for the MCU's Phase 5.
Though this has to be taken with a massive pinch of salt, the news is exciting to Marvel fans. It does build on what we already know: that Nova is someone Kevin Feige believes has "immediate potential."
It is important to know the full quote from ComicBook.com, though, which reads: "if we have a big board with a bunch of characters that have more immediate potential, Nova is on that board." That's a big if.
Since we don't know if this board exists (come on, it totally exists), it's hard to say whether or not a Nova film is in the pipeline. But if it were, there's one man who fans expect to direct: James Gunn.
On Twitter, Gunn responded to a fan's accusation that he knew nothing about Nova. He replied that he has "probably read "75% of Nova comics in existence."
With all of this in mind, here's what we know about Nova so far and how he might fit in the MCU.
Nova's humble beginnings
Let's go back to New York City in 1976 and meet a mild-mannered Richard Rider. He was chosen by Rhomann Dey, the last surviving member of planet Xandar's elite Nova Corps to carry on the legacy.
He's given their superpowers and a suit but no instruction manual or idea of how to use them. Rider soon grows into them and eventually manages to make his way to Xandar.
On Xandar he and Doctor Sun, Powerhouse, Comet, Crimebuster and the Sphinx join in the war against the Skrulls. They win, and Rider is released from his powers and the obligation they create.
Back on Earth, Rider struggles to adjust to life having not completed high school. But he isn't without his powers for long.
Nova and Annihilation
Rider returns to Xandar and reforms the Nova Corps. He splits his crimefighting time between the Nova Corps and New Warriors, which brings him into the famous Annihilation plot.
In 'Annihilation: Prologue' No 1, the entire Nova Corps is summoned to Xandar to respond to the Annihilation Wave. But Annihilus destroys the whole planet and once again Rider is the sole survivor.
He lets the Worldmind, the AI which holds aeons of Xandarian history and intelligence including the repository of the Nova Force, into his brain to upload the information. This both prevents it from being lost and gives him even stronger powers.
With these powers, he becomes Nova Prime and mobilises the universe to stand up against the Annihilation Wave.
Avengers, Thanos, and Guardians of the Galaxy
Annihilation defeated, Rider helps Peter Quill organise the Guardians.
But there is a supercomputer living inside of him. Rider discovers Worldmind has been acting in secret, animating his body while he sleeps to reassemble the Nova Corps.
He is recruited for the Secret Avengers by Captain America and afterwards joins up with Peter Quill to battle Thanos. During this fight, he, Star-Lord and Mar-Vell become trapped in a Marvel Cancerverse: a reality where you can't be killed.
Rider uses his abilities to Quill escape, hoping to defeat Thanos.
Eventually, he is rescued by a new Nova, a young man named Sam Alexander. Rider and Alexander return to Earth, both operating as Nova Corpsmen.
Phew!
Nova and the MCU
Given Nova's connection to so many MCU staple characters, there are many ways in which he could fit into upcoming movies, particular via the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Nova has featured in non-MCU content, like animated series and video games. Our educated guess is that a post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 could feature Nova given the foundation of his and Peter Quill's relationship in the comics.
Strictly speaking, the Nova Corps has already featured in the MCU. In the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, the Corps is essentially Xandar's police force.
In 2017, Gunn revealed in a Facebook Live chat that: "Nova comes up occasionally as someone we might use. One of the things I'm doing with creating Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, it will take place after the next two Avengers movies, and it will help to set up the next 10, 20 years of Marvel movies. It's going to really expand the cosmic universe. We're going to be setting up new characters. It will be the last movie with this version of Guardians of the Galaxy."
Again, none of this has been confirmed by the bigwigs at Marvel, but Gunn seems to be given pretty free rein (after the whole firing/rehiring thing) with his material so you may see Nova in Phase 5 after all.
Disney+ Watch the MCU on Disney+
Abrams Books The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry
Marvel Studios Marvel Phase 1-3 complete set Blu-ray
![Avengers: Endgame 4K Includes Bonus Disk [Blu-ray] [2019] [Region Free]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1565171628-51DyZnkLD7L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Avengers: Endgame 4K Includes Bonus Disk [Blu-ray] [2019] [Region Free]")
Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame 4K Includes Bonus Disk [Blu-ray] [2019] [Region Free]
![Avengers: 1-4 Complete Blu-ray Boxset Includes Bonus Disk [2019] [Region Free]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1565171833-51x6a0eLuRL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Avengers: 1-4 Complete Blu-ray Boxset Includes Bonus Disk [2019] [Region Free]")
Disney/Marvel Studios Avengers: 1-4 Complete Blu-ray Boxset Includes Bonus Disk [2019] [Region Free]
Digital Spy is launching a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter accounts.
