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Nova, an intergalactic superhero, has yet to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his origin story may have been established long before Guardians of the Galaxy.
First introduced in 1976’s The Man Called Nova #1, Rider’s original backstory showed him as a New York high school student who cosmically connects with Rhomann Dey. Dey is a member of Nova Corps, an intergalactic military and police force who call the planet Xandar home. After a battle with the villain Zorr, Dey seeks out Richard and bestows him with his powers before his death, naming him successor and Nova-Prime, the leader of the Nova Corps. Gifted with the power to control gravity, flight, and superhuman strength, Rider dons the iconic helmet and suit worn by Dey before leaving Earth for Xandar, officially becoming Nova.
Some fans believe Nova’s origin story was established , when Thanos revealed he had destroyed Xandar to obtain the Power Stone before coming to Earth. Of course, the destruction of Xandar is key to Rider becoming Nova, and the fact it happened offscreen means there’s room to explore what really happened in a future MCU film. What’s more, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has hinted there’s room for the character’s introduction in the MCU at some point down the line. All that said, Nova’s origins go a bit further back than Infinity War, beginning with the introduction of Dey in Guardians of the Galaxy.
James Gunn’s film laid the foundations for Nova’s arrival by first establishing the Nova Corps on the planet Xandar. In Guardians of the Galaxy, the Nova Corps were primarily represented by two , Dey (John C. Reilly) and Irani Rael (Glenn Close). The pair were crucial in defending Xandar from Ronan the Acc, a Kree warlord who was hellbent on destruction and ultimately allied himself with Thanos. Ronan was also after the Power Stone, one of six Infinity Stones ultimately collected by Thanos. The film ended with the Guardians of the Galaxy fighting him off before handing over the stone to the Nova Corps for protection.
Without the Nova Corps’ introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos’ decimation of Xandar in Avengers: Infinity War would have meant nothing. One could argue that Guardians did a better job in establishing the planet and Nova Corps so that when it comes time to eventually bring in Nova himself, the foundations of his backstory are already in place. Plus, while the Mad Titan says he destroyed the planet, it’s possible a quick flashback in will reveal Dey actually survived Thanos’ attack on Xandar. Injured and knowing that his time is limited, the Nova Corp member may decide to connect with Rider and give him his powers. Either way, Guardians of the Galaxy went a long way to set up Nova’s arrival prior to Thanos’ decimation in Avengers: Infinity War.
