Marvel’s Nova Reportedly Set to Introduce Two Major Cosmic Characters

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Marvel Studios’ Nova.

Marvel Studios is developing a Nova feature film with filmmaker Michael Waldron attached to write and direct. The film is currently in the pre-production stage and is expected to be announced soon.

In a recent interview with TheWrap, Waldron confirmed that the protagonist of the Nova movie will indeed be Richard Rider, rather than Sam Alexander. “I don’t know if I can say anything about anything I’m doing with Marvel. But I will say, I love Nova. I love Rich Rider.”

Waldron said he is excited about expanding the cosmic side of the MCU, where Nova could play an important role. He named Annihilation as the obvious standout Richard Rider storyline, calling it the “go-to” story for the character.

Nova Could Connect the MCU’s Cosmic Heroes to the X-Men

According to scooper JamesMackwl (via Patreon), Marvel Studios is currently looking for actors to play Rapina and Gladiator in the Nova movie. Both characters are connected to the X-Men side of Marvel. Rapina is a villain and the sister of Empress Lilandra, while Gladiator is a powerful member of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard.

In the comics, Rapina is Lilandra’s sister and an enemy of the X-Men. She is also closely connected to the Shi’ar Empire. If the rumor is true, Nova could be the first Marvel project to directly connect Nova, the Shi’ar Empire, and the X-Men.

Waldron also addressed whether Nova will deal with Thanos’ destruction of Xandar and the Nova Corps in Avengers: Infinity War. When asked about it, he confirms that the story would have to address the event, saying, “They would have to reckon with that. Yeah.” This suggests that the destruction of Xandar and the Nova Corps could play an important part in the Nova movie.

The Nova project has gone through several changes at Marvel. It was initially planned as a TV series with Sabir Pirzada writing, but the studio shelved it in 2025 and later decided to develop it as a feature film with Waldron onboard.

Nova, who first appeared in a 1976 issue of Super Adventures, was a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Nova Corps. He gained superhuman abilities, including enhanced strength, flight, and resistance to injury. While the character has not had many encounters with major figures from the current or past MCU, he has battled the Skrulls, who have played major roles in recent Marvel projects such as Captain Marvel and the limited series Secret Invasion.