Novais coming to theMarvel Cinematic Universeand more details are emerging about both the Disney+ series and the character itself. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Buscema, Nova debuted inThe Man Called Nova#1 in September 1976. The teenage superhero was part of an intergalactic cosmic police force called the Nova Corps. The idea of Nova joining the MCU has been teased as far back as 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy, which featured the Nova Corps in a prominent role, while 2018’sAvengers: Infinity Warseemingly laid the groundwork for the origin story of the first Nova, Richard Rider, with Thanos destroying Xandar and the Nova Corps.
ANovatelevision series was first hinted at in 2022, and it sounds like more progress has been made over the years. While promoting the upcoming MCU seriesAgatha All Along, the Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel Studios, Brad Winderbaum, spoke withComic Bookabout the development process forNova, and how Marvel is refining its approach to producing new projects.
“So Nova’s in development right now….I will say we’re developing more than we make. This is part of the new Marvel, but we should talk about this because at Marvel, everything has a spotlight on it, and everyone gets super excited, and we love Nova. And we want to get it right. But it’s in development. We got a few things in development and we’re not going to go on a show until we are happy with a pilot. Happy with the bible. So it is in development right now.”
In terms of tone for the series and more cosmic storylines set in the MCU,Novawill be similar to bothStar TrekandBattlestar Galactica. These two sci-fi franchises are known for dealing with heavy topics such as race, religion, and interpersonal human stories while also having a somewhat grounded feel to them. This can certainly be seen already in other cosmic MCU stories, likeCaptain Marvel, whose reveal of the Skrulls as a refugee alien species being hunted by the imperial forces of the Kree Empire drew heavily fromStar Trek: The Next GenerationandBattlestar Galactica. Winderbaum said:
“I mean, I’ve been really inspired by what [Star] Trek has been doing over the last few years. I think their shows are incredible. That’s why we hired Terry [Matalas] to do Vision Quest with us. But the Nova that’s being developed right now, it’s an amazing ensemble piece. I shouldn’t say too much but it’s a great cast of characters that are in… It’s got shades of Trek, it’s got shades of Battlestar, but also has, it also feels like if you know those comics, you know how heated, let’s say, that Richard Rider kind of world can get, and it certainly embraces all of that.”
Marvel’s New Approach to Television
Winderbaum’s comment,“We’re developing more than we make. This is part of the new Marvel,“shines a light on the future of the MCU and other projects in development. The first wave of MCU Disney+ series arrived under the leadership of Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who was pushing for streaming as the future of the company and required Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm to make more material, includingmaking announcements on the 2020 Disney Investor Day call that the studio was not ready for. In 2021, Marvel Studios released five Disney+ series in addition to four feature films, while 2022 saw three Disney+ original series, three films, and two holiday specials. While some fans loved having more MCU material, it became overwhelming for others.
In November 2022, Bob Iger returned to Disney, replacing Bob Chapek and moving the company in a new direction. 2023 was already in motion, andDisney certainly had a terrible year at the box office, but 2024 has seen Iger’s efforts at Disney begin to take shape. Marvel Studios has released four projects: one film withDeadpool & Wolverineand three television series, withEcho,X-Men ‘97, and the upcomingAgatha All Along. In addition, Marvel Studios has not made any major announcements regarding new films beyond 2025, apart from changingAvengers: The Kang DynastytoAvengers: Doomsday. The mission here is to focus on what is already announced and only announce a new project when it is ready. In terms of television series, it seems that there will be another three entriesm with two live-action series,Daredevil: Born AgainandIronheart, and possibly one animated series, eitherX-Men ‘97Season 2,What If…?Season 3, orFriendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
This certainly explains why it feels like there are a lot of rumors about Marvel projects, from a sequel toShang-Chito The Young Avengers and the rumored second seasons ofMoon KnightandShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Marvel Studios is working on many projects but won’t announce anything else until ready, as was the case in the early days of the MCU, when films likeDoctor StrangeandGuardians of the Galaxywere in development for years before they were announced.Kevin Feige has already confirmed thatNovais about three to four years out, and will likely debut during whatever Marvel has planned after the Multiverse Saga.
