Though the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has likely wrapped up, Marvel is gearing up to revisit its cosmic corner of the MCU. According to recent reports, the studio’s long-awaited Nova series is moving forward with a fresh perspective, described as “young and sexy.”
The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy stood out within the MCU thanks to James Gunn’s distinctive creative voice. With a mix of irreverent humor, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable soundtracks, Gunn turned the franchise into a unique entity.
However, with Gunn now leading DC Studios and key cast members such as Zoë Saldana (Gamora) and Dave Bautista (Drax) stepping away, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) marked what felt like the end of the saga.
While Star-Lord’s (Chris Pratt) return was teased in the post-credits scene of Vol. 3, Marvel’s immediate focus is shifting toward Nova. The series will explore the Nova Corps, a galactic police force introduced in the first Guardians film.
Located on Xandar, the Nova Corps played a key role in Peter Quill and his team’s early adventures and served as a backdrop for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, an attraction at Walt Disney World.
The Grand Debut of Nova
Though writer-director James Gunn initially passed on introducing Richard Rider—known as Nova in Marvel Comics—into the Guardians films to keep Peter Quill as the sole human character, the studio now appears ready to give Nova his spotlight.
According to scooper @MyTimeToShineH (via ComicBookMovie), Marvel has begun soliciting pitches for the series. The studio reportedly envisions a “young and sexy” tone, drawing inspiration from “the energy of 80s military movies.” Annihilus, a notable villain from Marvel Comics, is expected to serve as the main antagonist.
Proposed concepts for the series include ideas that lean heavily into Starship Troopers influences. One pitch described Nova as “a cocky jerk who falls in love with Namorita, joins the Nova Corps, and gets assigned to a backwater ‘Outer Rim’-like planet that becomes the first phase of the Annihilus wave.” Another emphasized the Nova Corps’ use of propaganda and explored how it recruits members to enforce its control over the galaxy.
Former X-Men ’97 showrunner Beau DeMayo corroborated these reports, sharing that he had pitched a multi-season vision for Nova. However, DeMayo’s involvement ended in March 2024 when Marvel Studios dismissed him following an internal investigation. He later criticized Marvel and Disney, criticizing them of “egregious prejudicial misconduct“ in a 30-minute video posted to his OnlyFans account.
As Marvel embarks on this new chapter, the Nova series promises to bring a fresh, bold take to its cosmic storytelling. How this aligns with the legacy of Guardians of the Galaxy remains to be seen, but fans are eager to see what direction the MCU takes.
What are your thoughts on Marvel’s plans for Nova?