James Gunn's untimely firing not only endangered the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, it also paved the way for several major continuity issues, mainly for Marvel's Phase 4. For a moment, let's not ponder who will be taking over for Gunn in the event Guardians resumes production. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was originally part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 4 lineup. So, which film will be replacing Gunn's now that it's currently in jeopardy?
For many fans, Doctor Strange 2 is an obvious choice -- but maybe too obvious. We know a second installment is on the way, but whether or not it will work as a cosmic replacement to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 remains to be seen. On the other hand, whether consciously or not, Marvel has been setting up a Nova film as early as the first Guardians of the Galaxy and as recently as this year's Infinity War. The upcoming Captain Marvel movie also features Nova's time-honored enemies, the Skrull Empire, as its primary villains. The cards are already down. All that's missing is Nova.
Subtle Origins
Avengers: Infinity War starts off with Thanos already wielding the Power Stone, having decimated Xandar and the Nova Corps shortly before attacking the Asgardian ship. The opening sounds fairly straightforward -- but it's actually more crucial than it implies. In the comics leading up to Nova's debut, the galaxy's elite police force was similarly decimated. Nova Centurion Rhomann Dey (played in the MCU by Oscar nominee John C. Reilly) narrowly manages to escape, but passes away upon reaching Earth. Before dying, he hands control of the Nova Force to high school student Richard Rider, who then becomes the superhero Nova, fighting crime in New York City and later battling the Skrulls in outer space.
Avengers: Infinity War already provides the perfect backdrop for this. Rhomann Dey could have escaped in a similar fashion and perhaps gotten to Rider shortly before the dreaded snap. He could also have landed on Earth much later, around the time the Avengers win in Avengers 4, assuming both Dey and Rider survive. Reilly's Dey appeared in the first Guardians of the Galaxy. He began as a Nova Corpsman but was eventually promoted for his efforts in assisting the Guardians in the fight against Ronan the Accuser.
The opening to Infinity War already ensures Nova will be making an appearance -- maybe in Spider-Man: Far From Home? Rider could easily be introduced as a guy in Peter Parker's class. He could be one of Peter's friends who eventually uncovers his secret identity and asks for his help. Parker could then appear in Nova's solo film and be to Rider what Tony Stark was for him -- a loyal mentor. Spider-Man is one of the few MCU heroes left who still has a secret identity. There is no one else who might be able to understand Nova better.
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Last Resort
The Guardians of the Galaxy are -- for all intents and purposes -- kaput. Rocket is still around, but there's no telling which of the original members will return, or if Disney will still be using James Gunn's Guardians 3 screenplay. Doctor Strange will probably not even show in Phase 4. Captain Marvel is all the galaxy has left.
But, maybe that doesn't have to be the case. Nova could just as easily take over. The galaxy needs new, possibly more powerful cosmic defenders, and he's one of the best Marvel's got. Since both parties have cosmic and human origins, Richard Rider's story could seamlessly tie in with where the Guardians of the Galaxy leave off, regardless of who manages to make the cut. This could provide some degree of comfort to Guardians fans and those still reeling from director James Gunn's unfortunate dismissal.
Despite numerous online petitions, and an open letter from the cast pushing for Gunn's immediate reinstatement, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 remains indefinitely on hold, putting the cosmic element of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at risk. There are few contingency measures available, but it's still worth exploring each one. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige could try Sentry, Nova, Quasar, Gladiator, Adam Warlock, Beta Ray Bill or the Heralds of Galactus. Marvel could even try to kickstart a franchise about the Fantastic Four, Marvel's more famous cosmic super-team. Whatever Marvel goes for has to work with the overall narrative, weaving seamlessly with the other films in Phase 4 almost as well as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
A Nova solo film about Richard Rider is only one of many -- but it could be the only option that makes sense. The post-Infinity War MCU is the best time to be introducing a hero like Rider, with the loss of the Guardians already apparent and younger heroes like Spider-Man having joined the roster. The chips are down, it's just a matter of exploiting the MCU's most unexpected coincidence.