James Gunn, the mastermind behind the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ trilogy, has addressed one of the most persistent questions from fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Why wasn’t Nova, a key character from the comics, included in the films?
Gunn’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ saga is celebrated for its iconic characters, ranging from Rocket and Groot to newcomers like Cosmo, the telepathic dog, and Adam Warlock’s pet, Blurp. However, the absence of Nova, a prominent cosmic hero in Marvel lore left a lot of fans curious.
James Gunn Wanted Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord As The Sole Human In The ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’
James Gunn, known for his storytelling and now his new DCU, recently responded to this question on Threads. When a fan asked why Nova didn’t appear in the films, Gunn replied, “I only wanted one human being.” This simple statement while brief reveals the main reason behind the choice to not include the superhero.
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Gunn wanted Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, as the sole human among the Guardians. This decision also influenced how he adapted other characters from the comics. For example, in the source material, Drax the Destroyer is a human named Arthur Douglas.
Similarly, Mantis was originally depicted as an orphan from Vietnam before her story was retconned to present her as an extraterrestrial. In the films, Gunn embraced these changes, ensuring that Star-Lord’s humanity would stand out. Despite his lack of superhuman abilities, Star-Lord becomes a pivotal figure further showcasing Gunn’s vision.
James Gunn Also Explained How ‘The Suicide Squad’ Isn’t DCU Canon
James Gunn also clarified some things about his approach towards the new DCU while talking to Collider. He explained that while ‘The Suicide Squad’ will be referenced in future DCU projects, it doesn’t exist within the same continuity as the main DCU. This means that characters and events from the film, while acknowledged, aren’t considered canon to the larger DCU.
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Gunn’s explanation revolves around the upcoming series ‘Creature Commandos’. The animated show will reference the death of Rick Flag Jr. at the hands of ‘Peacemaker’. This was a key event from ‘The Suicide Squad’. However, this reference is simply a plot device to establish the motivation of Rick Flag Sr., the leader of the ‘Creature Commandos’.
While ‘The Suicide Squad’ itself may not be canon, certain characters and elements from the film will continue to appear. Peacemaker, played by John Cena, is firmly established as a DCU character. Moreover, he will also be returning for a second season. Additionally, Amanda Waller and Weasel, both of whom survived the events of ‘The Suicide Squad’, will appear in ‘Creature Commandos’.
