Marvel has seen mixed results when it comes to its TV offerings in the MCU on Disney+. Although Loki was a hit with critics and audiences alike, other shows like Secret Invasion failed to stick the landing. Daredevil: Born Again already seems it could be a major win for the streaming service, but the studio is taking more measures to limit potential risks. A new report claims that Marvel Studios has decided to stop development on some of its most long-awaited projects, including the Nova series.
Deadline reports that Marvel has decided to indefinitely shelve three upcoming television projects -- Nova, Strange Academy, and Terror, Inc. While sources tell the trade outlet that the shows were not actually greenlit (and could still happen), they also hear that the major change in the upcoming slate comes as a result of a change in philosophy when it comes to the TV side of the MCU. Recently, Marvel Studios created the Marvel Television (sounds familiar) division, which will now oversee the production of upcoming projects. Instead of making them with a moviemaking mindset, they will now employ showrunners to handle their next series.
Unfortunately, it seems the long-awaited Nova series did not make the cut in the new slate despite getting a writer. It was rumored to feature Richard Rider, the original hero from the intergalactic police force in Marvel Comics. Meanwhile, Strange Academy was reportedly set to feature the Sorcerer Supreme, Wong (Benedict (Wong), teaching a school of young magic-wielding students in New Orleans. The Terror, Inc. show, which comes as a surprise to most fans, is based on an obscure comic character from the 90s era of Marvel Comics.
It's Been a Long Road for 'Nova' Close
Despite making an appearance in James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, the Nova Corps has been left on the backburner in the MCU. A project featuring Richard Rider, a fan-favorite among diehard Marvel Comics fans, has been in the works for quite some time. It was said to have been envisioned as a feature-length film at first, before evolving into a series on Disney+. The character was not included in the Guardians films due to Gunn not wanting another human character to share the screen alongside Chris Pratt's Star-Lord (via CBR). As Deadline notes, the project could be put back into focus at some point, but due to its long development cycle, it would not be shocking if Marvel does not pick it up for years to come.
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The shocking part of Nova not getting traction is the fact that he's been an extremely popular fancast subject for a long time. From Matthew McConaughey to Ryan Gosling (who's in the mix for Ghost Rider), Richard Rider could be played by a multitude of major actors. Most recently, It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar put his own hat in the ring to play Nova in the now-canceled streaming series. For now, it seems an appearance by Nova in the MCU will have to be in another project, and due to the importance of the character, a supporting role may not do him justice.