Marvel’s plans for Nova continue the MCU’s Young Avengers setup. Recently, it was reported that Marvel Studios is developing a project centered on the Human Rocket with Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada. At this juncture, it’s not clear if Nova is a Phase 5 movie or a Disney+ show.
In Marvel Comics, Richard Rider aka Nova is a powerful superhero and a key player in several cosmic events. Once he’s introduced, his role in the comics will make him a strong candidate for any Phase 5 crossover or team-up set in space. Nova missed out on the fight with Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, but could be on hand if and when the heroes of the MCU battle Annihilus, the Magus, Galactus, Korvac, or some other cosmic powerhouse. Plus, he’s a character who would make a lot of sense for the next Guardians of the Galaxy team, especially since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. will be the end of the road for Star-Lord’s group.
All things considered, Nova has the potential to be a part of so many different things in the MCU, not the least of which being the Young Avengers, which are currently being set up through Phase 4 characters like Ms. Marvel, and Kate Bishop. An aspect of Nova’s character in the comics that’s often overlooked is his age. While many are expecting Marvel to cast an adult actor as Richard Rider and immediately make him a Guardian or a major cosmic hero, it’s important to note that his comic journey began in high school. There’s a good chance that the MCU will lean in the same direction, thus making him one of many possible recruits for Marvel’s Young Avengers team.
Rider isn’t an obvious choice for the group’s roster simply because his teenage years preceded the Young Avengers and he’s been an adult for most of his superhero career. But, it shouldn’t be forgotten that he does have a history of working on a team with other teenage and young adult heroes. In the comics, he served with the New Warriors before going on to do bigger things off-world. For the MCU version, the Young Avengers could represent this phase of his life.
Of course, joining the Guardians and protecting the universe from large-scale threats could still be in the cards, but getting to that point could take some time for a teenage superhero. For this reason, the Young Avengers may be a better fit for his immediate future than the Guardians. If Marvel accurately adapts Rider’s story and introduces him as a teenager, Nova could fit right in with the other young heroes Phase 4 is introducing. By the time he comes onto the scene, Marvel’s Young Avengers setup could already include Ms. Marvel, Doctor Strange 2’s America Chavez, Kate Bishop, Scarlet Witch and Vision’s children, and Ironheart. Nova could be the final step toward completing the roster for a Young Avengers movie in Phase 5.
