Michael Waldron Tapped to Write Nova Movie as Ryan Reynolds Teases Next Deadpool Outing
While the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy concluded a few years ago and The Marvels faced box-office hurdles, Marvel Studios has seemingly identified its next cosmic heavyweight: Nova.
According to a report from Deadline, Marvel Studios is developing a standalone Nova feature film. Michael Waldron—creator of the Loki series, screenwriter for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and writer of Avengers: Doomsday—has been tapped to write the screenplay. Sources indicate the project is still in early development, with the potential for Waldron to also take on directorial duties if it moves forward. While Marvel previously explored developing Nova as a Disney+ series, the studio has shifted creative direction to craft a big-screen debut for the intergalactic hero.
Waldron has become one of the central creative architects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during Phase 4 and Phase 5, having penned Loki, Doctor Strange 2, and the highly anticipated crossover Avengers: Doomsday. With Marvel Studios set to host its high-profile Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, fans are eagerly waiting to see whether official updates regarding Nova, the upcoming X-Men reboot, or Black Panther III will be unveiled.
In additional news, franchise lead Ryan Reynolds recently confirmed at Fanatics Fest 2026 that another Deadpool film is in development. Industry sources at Deadline note that the film remains in very early planning stages, with no director or screenwriter attached yet. Reynolds has repeatedly noted in recent interviews that he prefers featuring Wade Wilson in ensemble stories or supporting roles alongside other heroes rather than continuing traditional solo entries.
The original Deadpool debuted in 2016 under 20th Century Fox. Following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the character rights returned to Marvel Studios, culminating in 2024's blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. Crossing over $1.3 billion globally, it remains Marvel's highest-grossing film since 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home and its only post-2021 release to cross the billion-dollar mark.
Marvel Studios kicked off Phase 6 of the MCU last year with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Compared to prior phases, Phase 6 maintains a significantly tighter slate of theatrical releases, featuring just four known titles:
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Secret Wars
On the television front, the first half of the year saw the releases of Wonder Man, Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again, and The Punisher: One Last Kill special event, to be followed in October by the live-action series VisionQuest starring Paul Bettany.
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Photo: Marvel