Richard Rider aka Nova is rumored to make his MCU debut in Captain Marvel 2.
Not only is Rider expected to make his debut, but the film’s villain will be the Skrull leader Veranke.
The rumor comes from Mikey Sutton in his Geekosity Facebook group. Sutton details:
“D23 was quiet about Captain Marvel 2, but the sequel to the $1 billion+ blockbuster is gradually taking shape. Apparently, the current plan is to have Veranke be the main villain in the film as it completely digs into Skrull Invasion territory.”
While Veranke took on the role of Spider-Woman in the comics, Sutton indicates she will have to take on a different character in the film as Sony still holds the rights to Spider-Woman. He speculates she could impersonate Captain Marvel or another female hero.
“Since Spider-Woman’s theatrical rights are owned by Sony, though, Veranke will not be utilizing her ID. It’s quite possible that she could pose as Carol Danvers herself or another female superhero. Development is still early.”
Maybe the biggest piece of information from this rumor is that Nova aka Richard Rider will be making his MCU debut in the film.
“But to many Marvel Comics fans, that might not be the most exciting part. Marvel Studios is planning on having Richard Rider, the Human Rocket known as Nova, make his feature-film debut here.”
Sutton previously stirred the rumor surrounding Nova when he indicated Marvel Studios was looking to recruit Spider-Man director Jon Watts for a solo Richard Rider movie. (Related: Rumor: Marvel to Develop Richard Rider Nova Film with Spider-Man Director Jon Watts)
A previous rumor indicated Marvel Studios was already looking at a 20-something actor who appeared in a Christopher Nolan film to play Richard Rider. (Related: Rumor: Marvel Studios Developing Richard Rider and Nova for Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Nova appears to be a top priority for Marvel Studios. Avengers: Endgame writer Christopher Markus revealed the character was written into their original pitch for Infinity War and Endgame.
“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.”
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige also indicated that Nova is a high priority.
“Nova is… if we have a big board with a bunch of characters that have more immediate potential, Nova is on that board.”
Feige even detailed that the character was in their early drafts of the first Guardians of the Galaxy:
“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].”
As for the Skrulls, they definitely appear like they will play a much larger role in the MCU moving forward. In Spider-Man: Far From Home they had actually taken the place of Nick Fury and Maria Hill while Fury appeared to be in deep space on some kind of massive ship.
What do you make of this rumor regarding Captain Marvel 2? What do you make of them including Richard Rider in the film? Are you interested in seeing what they will do with Veranke and the Skrulls?