A new rumor suggests Marvel Studios is developing Richard Rider and Nova for his first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance.
The rumor comes from TVO at Lords of the Long Box, “Early development. According to an insider, Marvel Studios is setting up a meeting with a 20-something actor who appeared in a Christopher Nolan movie…to audition for Richard Rider otherwise known as Nova the Human Rocket. When asked for the name, the source refused to spill to us saying ‘Doing so wasn’t his style.'”
This rumor comes after the Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo confirmed they had been messing with fans during a spot on Wired’s Tech Support. During that spot, they were asked a question on why none of the Nova Corps members joined the fight against Thanos. Joe Russo replied saying, “Look closely at that scene again. And you will see Richard Rider in the background of a shot. Easter egg.”
However, Joe Russo would retract that statement in an email to ComicBook.com. Russo would write, “That was actually a joke on our part.”
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige did indicate they had plans for Nova moving forward. He told ComicBook.com, “Nova is… if we have a big board with a bunch of characters that have more immediate potential, Nova is on that board.” In fact, Feige confirmed Nova was in the earliest drafts of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, “Because of the connection to the Guardians universe, because there are more than one examples to pull from in the comics that are interesting. And you’re absolutely right, he was in the earliest drafts of the [Guardians of the Galaxy].”
Avengers: Endgame writer Christopher Markus detailed they had plans for Nova in a 60-page document they presented to Marvel Studios for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Markus told The Hollywood Reporter:
“I remember going through several scenarios of Nova. Thanos could come and kill all the Nova Corps, except one guy. Richard Rider, who then becomes … I think in that scenario he became the herald, kind of like the Hulk was [in Infinity War when he crashed into the Sanctum Sanctorum]. Someone who could come out and tell people. We had everything. Literally every variation we could think of or that was sitting there in the comics untapped. With absolutely no value placed next to them.”
It definitely seems like Nova might be in the works at Marvel Studios and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them looking at a 20-something actor who could fill the role for the foreseeable future.
Are you interested in seeing Richard Rider in the MCU? Who do you think should play him?