Russo Brothers Debunk Richard Rider's Nova Was in 'Avengers: Endgame'

During a Twitter Q&A session hosted by WIRED on Monday, “Avengers: Endgame” director Joe Russo surprised fans when he said that Richard Rider’s Nova was in the huge battle scene in the film.

“Look closely at that scene again and you will see. You will see Richard Rider in the background of the shot. Easter egg,” Russo said.

Russo was responding to a tweet that was posted in May, a Twitter user, where a fan asked the “Endgame” directors, “How do you guys not have any Nova Corp member in a fight against Thanos?. Love the movie, but just boggles my mind. Didn’t even have to be Richard Rider.”

@Russo_Brothers how do you guys not have any Nova Corp member in a fight against Thanos?. Love the movie, but just boggles my mind. Didn't even have to be Richard Rider. #endgame

— M.A.C ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ IFM (@Macho_Franchise) May 13, 2019

Also Read: Here's Why Black Widow Didn't Get a Memorial at the End of 'Avengers: Endgame'

However, Russo was just kidding.

“That was actually a joke on our part,” Russo wrote in an email to comicbook.com of the battle sequence and his response during the Q&A.

Who is Richard Rider? Better known as Nova, he’s a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Nova Corps — sort of, kind of Marvel Comics’ version of the Green Lanterns — who has crossed paths with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, and Thor. He was created by Marv Wolfman (who among other things also co-created Blade) and John Romita Sr. (who also c0-created The Punisher).

Also Read: 'Avengers: Endgame' - Who Is That Random Kid at the End of the Movie?

Nova was in earlier drafts of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” screenplay but ended up getting cut.

“Nova is… if we have a big board with a bunch of characters that have more immediate potential, Nova is on that board,” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told ComicBook.com in 2018. “Because of the connection to the Guardians universe, because there are more than one examples to pull from in the comics that are interesting. And you’re absolutely right, he was in the earliest drafts of the [Guardians of the Galaxy].”

10 Huge 'Avengers: Endgame' Actors Who Had No Dialogue at All (Photos)

HUGE Spoiler warning: Please don't read this if you don't want to know details about "Avengers: Endgame."

We get it. There are a LOT of characters in “Avengers: Endgame.” It’s pretty near impossible to get virtually everyone in the MCU some screentime, let alone actual dialogue. But that means a lot of fan favorites -- even Oscar winners! -- had nothing to say during Marvel’s epic finale. We know #ThanosDemandsYourSilence, but this is ridiculous.
Marvel
Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)

At the end of “Infinity War,” Nick Fury was dusted. Naturally, we assumed his call to Captain Marvel would save not only him but the entire universe. But we didn’t learn Fury’s fate until the very end of "Endgame," when he showed up at Tony Stark’s funeral. And stood there completely silent.
Marvel
Marie Hill (Cobie Smulders)

We haven’t seen Marie Hill in earnest since “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and she had the bad luck of also getting dusted during the “Infinity War” post-credits sequence. And now she gets nothing more than an invite to Tony Stark’s funeral?
Marvel
Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer)

She just spent decades of her life trapped in the Quantum Realm at the end of “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” THEN got dusted. And now she’s got nothing to say about this whole ordeal?
Marvel
M'Baku (Winston Duke) and Shuri (Letitia Wright)

Does shouting “YIBAMBE” count? Other than that, neither character has any dialogue. But hey, at least they showed up and Shuri finally took part in some on-the-ground fighting. Lupita Nyongo’s Nakia, however, was nowhere to be found.
Marvel
Loki (Tom Hiddleston)

Normally you can’t shut this guy up. Loki’s dialogue in this movie is actually just a line from the original “Avengers.” So while we’re thrilled to see him back in a new scene after he DIED in “Infinity War,” we wish the God of Mischief hadn't been literally muzzled.
Marvel
Ramonda (Angela Bassett)

Blasphemy. Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda didn’t get any dialogue as she only appeared near the end of “Endgame” after the big battle was won and Thanos’ army was defeated. While we’re happy we caught a glimpse of the queen herself, we needed more.
Marvel
Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)

When Thor heads back in time to Asgard, at a time when his mother (Rene Russo) is still alive, we catch a glimpse of Natalie Portman’s Jane waking up from a snooze -- a scene from “Thor: The Dark World.” But she didn’t say a word. Portman has an Oscar, and she didn't get it for being quiet.
Marvel
Aunt May (Marisa Tomei)

Aunt May isn’t exactly an Avenger, but Marisa Tomei is an Oscar winner. Here’s hoping she gets a bigger role in “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
Marvel
Ned (Jacob Batalon)

At the end of the movie, Peter Parker’s friend Ned shows up at school after everyone originally dusted returns, and they embrace each other without a word.
Sony

1 of 10

#ThanosDemandsYourSilence

HUGE Spoiler warning: Please don't read this if you don't want to know details about "Avengers: Endgame."

We get it. There are a LOT of characters in “Avengers: Endgame.” It’s pretty near impossible to get virtually everyone in the MCU some screentime, let alone actual dialogue. But that means a lot of fan favorites -- even Oscar winners! -- had nothing to say during Marvel’s epic finale. We know #ThanosDemandsYourSilence, but this is ridiculous.

View In Gallery

10 Huge 'Avengers: Endgame' Actors Who Had No Dialogue at All (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL