Richard Rider’s Nova: the next cosmic hero of the MCU

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to welcome a new hero to its ever-expanding roster. After initial reports from ComicBook that Marvel Studios is developing a Nova series for Disney+, Deadline has confirmed that Ed Bernero, the creator of Third Watch and former showrunner of Criminal Minds, will serve as the head writer and showrunner for the project. This series will focus on Richard Rider, the original Nova, rather than Sam Alexander, who has also wielded the Nova Force in the comics. Bernero replaces Sabir Pirzada, who was initially attached to the project in 2022. Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, and Brad Winderbaum, head of streaming, television, and animation, later confirmed that Richard Rider’s Nova will make his MCU debut sometime between 2027 and 2028.

Richard “Rich” Rider, a high school student, first appeared in 1976’s Nova #1, created by writer Marv Wolfman and artists John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Rider became the successor of Nova-Prime Rhomann Dey, who transferred his cosmic Centurion powers to Rider on Earth. As Nova, Rider gained the ability to fly at supersonic speeds and harness the cosmic Nova Force energy shared by the Nova Corps, the space militia of Xandar. He was mentally linked with the Xandarian Worldmind, an artificial intelligence that served as the host body for the Nova Force. Rider’s early adventures saw him battling a variety of foes, including the alien Zorr the Conqueror, the Xandarian Powerhouse, and the immortal mutant wizard Anath-Na Mut, the Sphinx.

Nova’s journey took him from Earth to the stars, where he formed the Champions of Xandar during a battle with the shape-shifting Skrulls. This group included Xandarians Thoran Rul and the Centurion Tanak Valt. After surrendering his powers to live as a regular human, Rider’s abilities were secretly returned to him by Queen Adora of Xandar. He later rejoined the fray as a member of the New Warriors, alongside heroes like Night Thrasher, Namorita, Firestar, Speedball, and Marvel Boy. Nova eventually returned to space to help rebuild Xandar, only for the planet to be destroyed again by Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave. Over the years, Rider found allies in Star-Lord and the Guardians of the Galaxy, continuing to protect both space and Earth. More recently, Samuel “Sam” Alexander, son of Nova Centurion Jesse Alexander, took up the mantle of Nova, joining the Avengers and the new Champions alongside heroes like Miles Morales and Ms. Marvel.