Nova is one those charcaters that have been waiting in the wings, almost ready to enter the MCU, but not quite there. In the comics, Nova serves as a sort of a crossover between Green Lantern and Spider-Man, following a teenage boy who receives a cosmic super weapon.
In 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn gave us the MCU’s interaction of the Nova Corps, which was vastly different from the version that we know of in the comics. Rather than functioning like the Green Lanterns of DC, the design and style of the Corps, was more akin to that of a police force, reminiscent of space marines. Therefore, the Nova of the MCU would look very different from the what we have received in the comics.
How would a Nova series play out in the MCU
To begin with, given that the Nova Corps we know of is more akin to something out of a military science fiction setting, Sam Alexander would not be the right choice for the introduction. A new adult Richard Rider, however, would be the perfect fit for such an introduction. The series would definitely pull heavily from space operas, especially the likes of Star Wars and Halo. Given that the Nova Corps is much more grounded in the MCU, the show would be about jumping from planet to planet for a quest. The trick will be to make it distinct from The Mandalorian.
There is also the fact that we are yet to check in with Xandar after the devastation of the planet at the hands of the Mad Titan. Assuming that the old corps would be utterly decimated, it would not be too much of a stretch to speculate, that the existence of the Nova Corps will be up for debate. Given that it has proven ineffective against the likes of Thanos, a strong opposition that favours an alternative mode of defence might be at the forefront of the conflict for the story. While on the other hand, the Nova Corp and it’s members would be desperate to prove the reason they should exist.
This could prompt the organization to invest in something that is akin to supersoldiers, in a bid to restore Xandar to it’s former glory and successfully repel threats like Ronan the Accuser and Thanos. The story could be more akin to The Mandalorian, Mass Effect or Halo, rather than, say, Green Lantern.
Richard Rider as Nova: Who should play him?
Richard Rider would definitely be the way to go in the MCU. Rhomann Dey, the Nova Corpsman who gave Richard Rider his powers, has already been introduced in the MCU, in Guardians of the Galaxy. Richard Rider would so also serve as one of the potential candidates to round out the new iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy, should that IP be pushed for another film. Until then, we will have to settle for a streaming series.
There are multiple men who could play the character of Richard Rider. Given that Rider is usually on the older side, it makes sense to cast him as such, more of the generation of Black Widow and Doctor Strange than that of Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel.
Charlie Hunnam has played a part of a member of a post-apocalyptic military force in Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim. Hunnam definitely has the experience of playing a hopeful character that is disillusioned, but still optimistic. Ryan Gosling could also he play the character, perhaps a lighter version of his character of K in Blade Runner 2049. Given how many comparisons the recent What If..? Season 2 episode got to the IP, it would make sense for Gosling to essay the role.
Other actors who could play Rider would be Travis Fimmel and Nikolaj Coster Waldau. Both these actors have played members of failing military (albeit in vastly different settings). With Fimmel’s experience in Raised by Wolves, he could also bring the know how from that IP to Richard Rider. Coster Waldau has played his share of broken military men, having been part of productions like The Silencing and God is a Bullet.
