The leaked Marvel character roster in Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite only features characters that exist or will exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The roster includes: Ant-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers (hopefully we get Mar-Vell skin), Doctor Strange, Gamora, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man, Rocket Raccoon/Groot, Spider-Man, Thanos, Thor, Ultron and Nova.
The Nova Corps have previously appeared in the original Guardians of the Galaxy and a Nova ship made an appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but Richard Rider is nowhere to be seen, with the possibility of him showing up being dismissed by James Gunn, but this odd inclusion only stirs up more speculation.
Why is Nova in the roster? It can’t be for the sake of roster continuity as every other Marvel character that isn’t in, or, is not joining the MCU have been removed from the latest entry’s roster (other than the potential inclusion of Venom as a DLC character).
Does Nova’s inclusion hint at him eventual appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
As the ongoing story goes cosmic with Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Agents of SHIELD Season 5 there is a high possibility of Marvel’s Human Rocket starring in his own film or being created in another film…
Richard Rider sports his costume gained in the Annihilation event in Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite. Which he receives after the Annihilation Wave destroys the Nova Corps and Xandar, leaving Richard Rider, the sole survivor, to take in and preserve the entire Nova Force and Worldmind A.I.
If Nova is to have this costume (or something similar) in the movies, something as destructive as the Annihilation Wave must destroy the Nova Corps and Xandar; something like Thanos and his quest for the Infinity Stones. Coincidentally, the Power Stone from Guardians of the Galaxy is guarded by the Nova Corps, a stone which could behind the powers of the Nova Corps, or the only surviving Nova, Richard Rider.