DC’s Blue Beetle Star Becomes The MCU’s Next Most Powerful Hero In New Art

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New art has imagined Xolo Maridueña as a new cosmic superhero in the MCU ahead of the release of Marvel Studios" Nova series. A live-action project focused on Nova from Marvel Comics was first revealed to be in development in 2022, and while production has been slowed down following output changes in the MCU, the project is still underway. Kevin Feige revealed to ComicBook in 2024 that the MCU"s upcoming Nova series is "still three or four years out," but the introduction of the titular hero is still incredibly exciting.
While the Nova series is expected to focus primarily on the Richard Rider iteration of the cosmic hero from Marvel Comics, it"s possible that the younger Nova could also be introduced. 16-year-old Sam Alexander became Nova in 2011"s Marvel Point One #1, who steals his Nova Corps father"s helmet to become a hero in his own right. New fan art shared by Arifinity suggests that Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle star Xolo Maridueña would be strong casting for the role of Sam Alexander"s Nova in the MCU.
What Xolo Maridueña’s Nova Casting Would Mean For The MCU & DCU Xolo Maridueña's Future In The DCU Is Unclear Close Xolo Maridueña starred as Jaime Reyes in 2023"s Blue Beetle, one of the final installments of the DC Extended Universe. Blue Beetle seriously underperformed at the global box office, becoming the lowest-grossing movie in the DCEU, but despite this, Maridueña has suggested that his Blue Beetle will return in James Gunn and Peter Safran"s rebooted DC Universe (via Screen Rant). This might make Maridueña"s casting in the MCU impossible, but since Blue Beetle"s future still hasn"t been confirmed, joining the MCU could be a great next step for Maridueña.
Xolo Maridueña"s Notable Project
Year
Role
Cobra Kai
2018
Miguel Diaz
Blue Beetle
2023
Jaime Reyes" Blue Beetle
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
2024
Kid Kree"s Mel-Varr
The most notable version of Nova in Marvel Comics is Richard Rider, so Kevin Feige"s confirmation of this iteration"s live-action debut is exciting. However, it would be even better for the MCU"s Nova series to introduce both Rider and Sam Alexander, particularly if a popular up-and-coming actor such as Xolo Maridueña is cast in the role. This could introduce a formidable new Young Avenger while also expanding on the MCU"s new cosmic stories, which have been left unclear after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Marvels.
Our Take On Xolo Maridueña As Nova In The MCU Xolo Maridueña Would Be Great As Sam Alexander's Nova

Despite Blue Beetle"s poor performance, Xolo Maridueña was a fantastic choice for the character, and proved that he"d make an excellent addition to the MCU as Sam Alexander"s Nova. Maridueña"s charisma, curiosity and youthful energy would be perfect for Sam Alexander, especially if a more-established and better-known actor is cast as Richard Rider. A brilliant mentor/mentee relationship can be established as part of the MCU"s ever-growing cosmic stories, so the introduction of Xolo Maridueña in the Nova series would be inspired.

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount's Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
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