10 MCU Cameos We Want To See In Marvel’s Nova Project

Marvel’s recently announced Nova project is likely to have some cameos from other MCU heroes or characters. Nova is typically a member of the Nova Corps, so it would only make sense to see them in some capacity. Marvel may also want to have Nova interact with better-known characters, seeing as he isn’t as popular of a superhero as some of the franchise’s most iconic faces. As such, Cameos could help align the series more with Bob Iger’s MCU plan to rely on known brands instead of introducing too many new characters to the franchise.

Which characters can cameo in Nova will depend on the version of the character that Marvel goes with, and how long they have been around in the Marvel Universe. If the Nova project is an origin story for either Richard Rider or Sam Alexander, it will likely start on Earth. Alternatively, a more experienced version of Rider’s Nova could appear, which would make cameos from Marvel’s cosmic characters more likely than those who are currently on Earth.

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Rhomann Dey Is Typically The Character Who Gives Nova His Powers

Dey Is Played By John C. Reilly In Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

The original Nova, Richard Rider, gained his powers from the dying Nova Centurion Rhomann Dey. The MCU’s version of Dey appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy as a member of the Nova Corps, and was the member of the Corps who decided to trust the Guardians and join their defense of Xandar. Dey has been characterized as an affable family man, making his potential appearance in Nova all the more tragic.

If the MCU sticks to Richard Rider’s comic book origin, that would mean that Dey is going to die. This could happen in a flashback, perhaps involving Thanos’ attack on Xandar, or it could happen near the beginning of the series. Alternatively, if the MCU wants to keep Reilly’s character around – and avoid a sad beginning for Nova – they could simply have a healthy Dey recruit Rider to the Nova Corps as a nod to his origin.

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Cosmo Would Connect To The Guardians, Without Ruining Any Original Members’ Endings

Cosmo Is Played By Maria Bakalova In The MCU

Guardians of the Galaxy characters seem like the most logical cameo for a space-faring superhero like Nova’s movie or TV series. However, the original team was given the perfect conclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, so all bringing them back would do is risk messing up this ending. Luckily, there is one newer member of the Guardians who could show up, without compromising anyone else’s MCU journey.

Although Cosmo appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy, she didn’t truly join the team until the story of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. As a relatively new addition to the MCU, Cosmo still has a lot of potential stories ahead of her. Though she was last seen working with Rocket’s new Guardians, that doesn’t mean she can’t be on her own. After all, she was seemingly taking care of herself between the destruction of the Collector’s palace and when she joined the Guardians. A quick cameo by Cosmo would be a good way to connect Nova to Marvel’s other cosmic heroes.

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Star-Lord Can Reject Nova’s Offer For A Space-Faring Adventure

Star-Lord Is Played By Chris Pratt In The MCU

If Rhomann Dey comes to Earth to give Nova his powers, Dey might also recommend that Nova seek out the legendary Star-Lord who is also from Earth. This would show how Dey has grown to respect Peter Quill, having previously mocked his Star-Lord moniker. It would also be a good way to set up a comedic interaction between Nova and Star-Lord.

Nova could go looking for this legendary hero, only to find Peter Quill mowing his grandfather’s lawn in Missouri. Quill could also turn down Nova’s offer to accompany him into space, having only recently returned to Earth. This would give some indication as to what Star-Lord is up to, while also explaining why Nova wouldn’t be able to count on him for help later on in the story. It could also just be a fun scene to let Chris Pratt show off more of his comedy chops, and establish a bit of a contentious relationship between him and Nova.

7
Stakar’s Post-Credits Tease Is Just Waiting To Be Paid Off

Stakar Is Played By Sylvester Stallone In The MCU

Stakar and the other Ravager captains appeared in a post-credits teaser at the ending of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, seemingly setting up another project for them. While there were some rumors about a potential spin-off featuring Stakar’s version of a Guardians team, they never materialized. The next time Stakar showed up in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it was again just as a leader of the Ravagers, and only in a quick cameo.

Although it seems like the MCU isn’t going to be doing an entire project with Stakar’s original Guardians team, there is still room for them to make an appearance in Nova. This is especially true if Marvel’s Nova project ends up being a TV series, where an entire episode could be dedicated to Nova working with Stakar and his team.

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Starfox Has Yet To Make A Proper MCU Appearance And Would Be A Good Fit

Starfox Is Played By Harry Styles In Eternals (2021)

Thanos’ brother Eros, aka Starfox, has been around in Marvel Comics since the 1970s. Since then, he has joined the Avengers, partnered up with a version of Captain Marvel, and even fought Nova before. His connection to Marvel’s cosmic stories makes him a good choice for a cameo in Marvel’s Nova project, especially because he hasn’t done anything in the MCU yet.

As of now, Starfox only appeared in a post-credits teaser at the end of Eternals. Nova would allow the MCU to introduce the character properly, as well as finally start tying Eternals into the wider MCU. Since Starfox is played by Harry Styles, he could also serve as a draw for some audiences to watch Marvel’s Nova project, even if they don’t know much about the hero himself.

5
A Message From Nova Prime Could Explain Nova’s Mission

Nova Prime Is Played By Glenn Close In Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

The MCU’s version of the Nova Corps was led by its Nova Prime: Irani Rael. Since Thanos’ attack on Xandar ended up getting cut from Avengers: Infinity War, it’s unknown if Nova Prime or any of her Corps members survived the attack. However, even if Nova Prime turns out to be dead in the MCU, that doesn’t mean she can’t still have a meaningful cameo in Nova.

If Marvel’s Nova project is an origin story, then Nova’s gear could come equipped with a pre-recorded message that explains the mission of the Nova Corps. As the Corps’ commander, it would only make sense for this message to have been recorded by Nova Prime. This could give some closure to her character, while also laying out in clear terms what Nova’s responsibilities are as a member of the Nova Corps.

4
Nick Fury Is Likely Monitoring Anyone Leaving Earth

Nick Fury Is Played By Samuel L. Jackson In The MCU

Nick Fury and SABER are currently monitoring any potential threats coming from space in the MCU. This means Fury is likely keeping a close eye on anyone entering or leaving the planet. If Nova is going to start on Earth, and then travel to space, he would likely attract the attention of Nick Fury.

Though Fury likely wouldn’t play a major role in a Nova project, his inclusion would be a good connecting thread to the other MCU heroes. Similar to Captain Marvel, Fury could establish a way to stay in contact with Nova if Earth needs him. This way, Nova can have space-faring adventures, while also being able to participate in Earth-based crossover projects.

3
Captain Marvel Would Probably Appreciate Some Help Protecting The Galaxy

Captain Marvel Is Played By Brie Larson In The MCU

The MCU version of Captain Marvel tends to spend most of her time in space, searching for anyone she can help out. She mentioned in Avengers: Endgame that part of her reasoning behind this was that the Avengers were taking care of Earth, but the rest of the galaxy wasn’t as lucky. Carol would likely be happy to learn that there is another hero from Earth who is trying to help other planets as well, meaning she and Nova could be natural allies.

Because Captain Marvel can be either on Earth or in space, she is an easy character to plan a cameo for. Either setting that Marvel chooses for their Nova project would still allow them to have Nova interact with Carol. He could meet her out in space, or Captain Marvel could show up in a post-credits sting to introduce the idea of Nova leaving Earth to help her protect other planets.

2
Nova Could Confirm The High Evolutionary Is Still Alive

The High Evolutionary Is Played By Chukwudi Iwuji In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

The High Evolutionary’s fate in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was left a little ambiguous by the film’s theatrical cut. Originally, there was meant to be a scene showing him imprisoned in Knowhere by Nebula. This could have set up a potential return for the villain, which is something the MCU might want to do now that it seems like it will be replacing Kang.

If Nova is traveling through space, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him visit a familiar location like Xandar. He may also have reason to search through the prisons there, which would allow Marvel to include a quick cameo by The High Evolutionary. This would firmly establish that the MCU villain is still alive, the way that Guardians Vol. 3 had originally intended to.

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Howard The Duck Can Add Momentary Comic Relief And Be A Loose Connection To The Guardians

Howard The Duck Is Played By Seth Green In The MCU

Howard the Duck has shown up in minor cameos in each of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. His role is never substantial, instead, he is usually just included for a quick joke. If Marvel wants to give Nova a connection to the Guardians, without having to include any of the team’s members, it could give a nod to the series by including a similar cameo by Howard the Duck.

Aside from adding some comic relief, and connecting to the MCU’s other cosmic heroes, a cameo from Howard would keep Marvel from wasting an MCU actor’s talents. Seth Green, who voices Howard, is a skilled comedian and voice actor – something that makes Howard the Duck a promising if underused figure. As such, if Howard aren’t getting his own project, the MCU could at least let him have a part in the upcoming Nova project.