Xolo Maridueña to Lead ‘NOVA’ TV Series at Marvel Studios? A New Listing Sparks Rumor

A brand new ‘NOVA’ TV Series at Marvel Studios is already confirmed, but we still might be months away from getting any official update. However, a new listing of the show at Production List not only reveals the filming start date but also the leading cast of the series. Although, the listing doesn't mention which characters the reported actors would play.

As per Prod List, the cast of the series includes Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Gillman, Glenn Close, and John C. Reilly. Out of these actors, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly have already made their Marvel debut with Guardians of the Galaxy where Glenn played Nova Prime while Reilly was Corpsman Dey. Both of them were part of Nova Corps, which was destroyed by Thanos in Infinity War. The rumor of these two characters reprising their roles was first shared by MTTSH over X. Also the listing mentions the synopsis of the show as well. As per Prod List, "Following Annihilation, Nova the Human Rocket is on the front lines of cosmic adventure as the final member of the Nova Corps and our only hope against dangers from the furthest reaches of the Marvel Universe!"

The rumor of Xolo Maridueña and Tanner Gillman being part of the show is new. While Maridueña has already done a superhero character on the big screen in Blue Beetle, Gillman hasn't done any mainstream Hollywood film and is known for Studio C where he has played various roles.

Xolo Maridueña seems to be a perfect fit for the role of a young Nova aka Samuel Alexander. Previously, he has also expressed interest in playing this character in an interview. In the comics, Samuel Alexander was trained by Gamora and Rocket Raccoon after they discovered him looking for his father Jesse Alexander, who was also a Nova. Gamora and Rocket Raccoon are looking for Jesse and his Black Nova Helmet, once they discover it, they train Sam to use the helmet.

Sam was eventually able to beat them both (Gamora and Rocket) and was deemed worthy to apprehend the Watcher's task. In his first mission, Nova fought Titus, a former Nova, and ally of his father who made a trade with Chitauri, his life for all Nova's secrets and weapons. Titus followed Nova to Earth and was eventually stopped by Nova's Ultimate Nullifier. When Sam returns home he expresses his suspicion of his father's supposed death, who is being held captive by the Chitauri on another planet.

Sam has multiple interactions with different characters in the Marvel Universe including, Spider-Man, Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel, Hawkeye, X-Men, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Also, presently every Marvel project is leading towards the formation of a Young Avengers team. We have already seen Kamala Khan aka Ms Marvel meeting with Kate Bishop at the end of The Marvels. Although Nova was never part of the Young Avengers in the comics, he can be part of a new team in the MCU, with so many young faces that have already appeared in different projects including Agatha All Along, which is currently airing.

Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada is writing the script for Nova. Kevin Feige is the producer of the series which is listed to begin filming on January 31, 2025, which seems unlikely.