Summary
Nova, an upcomingMarvel Cinematic UniverseTV show—post-Phase Six—finally has an update that may excite fans. A new showrunner is onboard to lead theMCUseries.
Plans for aNovaproject can be traced as far back as 2018 when Marvel Studios’ CEO Kevin Feige described the character as one with “immediate potential” in theMCU. A writer for the project was attached four years later with no word on whether it would be billed for the silver screen or the small screen. It wasn’t until July 2024 that Feige confirmed that it would be the latter. Although details on the series are scarce, Richard Rider has been confirmed as the central character, and, if rumors are to be believed, willspotlight the entire Nova core.
After months of being in limbo, the road toNovajust got a step closer. According toDeadline, veteran showrunner Edward Bernero—known for his work on the CBS crime drama series,Criminal Minds—has been pegged as writer and showrunner, replacingMoon Knightwriter Sabir Pirzadawho was put on the project in May 2022. No reasons were given for this creative change.
Nova’s fame in Marvel Comicscomes from his membership in an intergalactic peacekeeping force called the Nova Corps, an appearance he first made in the 1976 issue,The Man Called Nova #1. TheNovaseries would not be the first appearance of the Corps in the MCU.Guardians of the Galaxyintroduced Glenn Close’s Nova Prime (Irani Rael), and her Corps, during the battle to defend Xandar from Ronan the Accuser’s invasion. Richard Rider’s spotlight would have come much sooner had director James Gunn not opted to exclude him from his movies on the grounds of being “too big of a character,” andAvengers: Infinity Warwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely following suit in their drafts of the movie.
The latest update onNovaprovides a glimmer of hope for fans who have been craving substantial news since Kevin Feige’s initial tease in 2018. However, judging from previous statements from the MCU boss and Marvel’s head of streaming, animation, and television, Brad Winderbaum, that the earliest possible window for the series was in three years (2028), they would have to wait much longer. Although eyebrows will likely be raised at the decision to replace an MCU writer with Ed Bernero, the latter’s track record as an executive producer and showrunner—co-creating and producingsuccessful drama series such asCriminal Minds,spin-offSuspect Behavior,Crossing Lines,andThirdWatch—would no doubt be helpful in the bringing the series to life.
Drawing from the few interplanetary battles fans have witnessed inGuardians of the Galaxy,Novacould be the MCU’sStar Trek.The James Gunn movie already showed the bravery of the Nova Corps pilots in their battles against Ronan’s forces and fans would no doubt be looking forward to it. The character’s connection to the Skrulls also ties him to theSecret Invasionstoryline. As the wait for a script begins, fans' next move will likely be to cast their favorite actor forNova’s Richard Rider—if that hasn’t been done already.
TheNovaseries is in development at Marvel Studios and is scheduled to release on Disney+.
