Hollywood heartthrob Glen Powell has been on a roll lately, with a string of impressive performances in films that showcase his range and charisma. From fighter jets to tornadoes, Powell has proven he’s got the charm, intensity, and screen presence to handle just about any role thrown his way. But one thing that’s missing from his résumé? A superhero role.
That might soon change, if the ideas floating around within Marvel’s creative team ever come to life. Michael Waldron, one of the key writers behind Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, recently revealed that he thinks Powell would be a perfect fit for one long-awaited Marvel character — Nova. And honestly, fans seem to agree that it’s a near-perfect match.
Michael Waldron’s Vision: Glen Powell as Nova
Michael Waldron has become one of Marvel’s most trusted creative minds over the past few years. After delivering the critically acclaimed Loki series and penning Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, he’s now co-writing two of the most anticipated MCU films: Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
During a recent appearance on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy Podcast, Waldron was asked a fun question — if he could cast Glen Powell in any Marvel role, who would it be? His answer was simple but exciting:
“He’d be a pretty good Nova.”
That single statement immediately set the internet buzzing. Marvel fans have been waiting years for Nova to make his live-action debut, and Waldron’s suggestion of Glen Powell has only fueled speculation that we might finally see the character join the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon.
Who Is Nova? A Cosmic Hero Fans Have Been Waiting For
For those unfamiliar, Nova is one of Marvel’s most beloved cosmic heroes. First appearing in The Man Called Nova #1 in 1976, the character was created by Marv Wolfman and John Buscema. The most famous version, Richard Rider, starts as an ordinary high school student before being granted incredible powers by a dying alien from the Nova Corps — the same intergalactic police force introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy.
The Nova Corps were briefly seen in the first Guardians film, where actor John C. Reilly portrayed Corpsman Rhomann Dey. In the comics, it’s Dey who passes on the Nova Force to Rider, transforming him into a superhero capable of interstellar flight, super strength, and energy manipulation.
Nova has often been described as Marvel’s version of Green Lantern — a cosmic hero balancing personal responsibility with universal duty. It’s a role that demands both emotional depth and physical charisma, two traits Glen Powell has in abundance.
Why Glen Powell Would Be Perfect for the Role
It’s easy to see why Waldron believes Powell could make an ideal Nova. The actor has that classic all-American leading man appeal that fits perfectly with Richard Rider’s character. But beyond looks, Powell has shown in films like Top Gun: Maverick and Hit Man that he can play complex, charming, and slightly reckless characters — all traits that would align with Rider’s personality.
Powell’s performance style often blends confidence with vulnerability, which would be essential for depicting a young man suddenly burdened with the responsibility of saving entire worlds. He also has a natural sense of humor, which is key for fitting into Marvel’s tone. Imagine Powell’s witty charm mixed with the cosmic energy of a superhero — it’s a casting choice that feels almost too good to be true.
Nova’s Complicated Journey to the MCU
Despite years of fan demand, Nova has yet to officially appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His story has been close to adaptation several times, but always just missed the mark.
James Gunn, during the production of Guardians of the Galaxy, decided against including Richard Rider, explaining that he didn’t want too many Earth-based characters overshadowing Peter Quill (Star-Lord). Later, the Avengers: Infinity War writing team — Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus — considered adding Nova to the script, but ultimately dropped the idea because of the destruction of Xandar, which would’ve made Rider’s origin story complicated to explain mid-movie.
However, reports surfaced in 2024 that Marvel was developing a Nova project for Disney+, with Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada attached to develop the story. Unfortunately, by early 2025, the project was reportedly shelved as part of Marvel Studios’ strategy to scale back its Disney+ content. That doesn’t mean Nova’s chances are gone for good — it just means the character might be saved for a bigger, cinematic debut.
Could Nova Appear in Avengers: Secret Wars?
Given that Michael Waldron is co-writing both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans can’t help but wonder if Nova could make his grand entrance in one of those films. While Doomsday has already wrapped filming — and Nova isn’t expected to appear — Secret Wars is still in development, meaning there’s always room for surprises.
With Secret Wars expected to bring together heroes from across the multiverse, introducing Nova could make perfect sense. The story’s cosmic scale and potential inclusion of multiple dimensions provide the perfect setting for a spacefaring hero like Richard Rider to debut.
Even if he doesn’t appear in Secret Wars, Marvel has a long history of planting seeds early — and a post-credits tease introducing Glen Powell as Nova could easily set up future films or Disney+ spin-offs.
What Fans Are Saying
Since Waldron’s interview went live, fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Social media has been filled with fan art and concept designs showing Powell wearing Nova’s signature blue-and-gold armor and helmet.
Many fans believe that casting someone like Glen Powell would breathe new energy into Marvel’s next phase, especially after the studio has faced recent challenges in reigniting excitement for its upcoming projects. His star power, combined with Nova’s long-awaited debut, could make for a blockbuster combination.
Others have pointed out that Powell’s experience in high-intensity action movies gives him the perfect foundation for a space-based superhero. If Marvel decides to move forward with Nova soon, Powell is already one of the most popular choices among fans.
The Future of Marvel’s Cosmic Universe
With the MCU expanding into more cosmic storylines, Nova feels like the missing piece of the puzzle. His character connects naturally to established lore — from the Guardians to Captain Marvel — and could even tie into future galactic threats beyond Earth’s Avengers team.
Marvel Studios may be keeping its plans under wraps for now, but one thing’s for sure: if Glen Powell does end up as Nova, it would be a casting decision that excites both casual viewers and long-time comic fans alike.