Who is Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine? Emma Corrin villain explained
The supervillain is on her way!
It's almost time to welcome Deadpool & Wolverine onto our screens – and with the MCU's first ever Deadpool movie comes an incredible cast with some amazing new additions, including none other than Emma Corrin.
Corrin, known for roles including Princess Diana in The Crown, will be playing a character called Cassandra Nova and has already been seen in some chilling first looks as they join the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in the upcoming film.
But who is Cassandra? Here's everything you need to know.
Who is Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine?
Cassandra Nova is the twin sister of X-Men founder Charles Xavier (most commonly played on-screen by Patrick Stewart).
She is also a mummudrai, a parasitic life form born bodiless on the astral plane.
In the comic books, Charles recognised his sister's evil presence and killed her, resulting in her being stillborn – however, the mummudrai that became Cassandra managed to adopt some of Charles's psionic powers and left her able to exit the womb and create a body for herself.
Naturally, she then sought revenge on her brother.
Cassandra can be considered Charles's dark shadow – where he aims to serve the greater good and promote a peaceful existence between mutants and humans, Cassandra is hell-bent on destruction.
As for what we can expect from Cassandra in Deadpool & Wolverine? Surprisingly, director Shawn Levy requested that Corrin did not think of her as a villain.
Corrin told The Guardian: “I was, like, what? Are you serious? After all that?”
Instead of a straight villain, Levy wanted Corrin to play Cassandra with unpredictability. Corirn has also said that Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka and Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of a Nazi officer in Inglourious Basterds were both references for the villain.
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Is Cassandra Nova a mutant?
Not technically! Being a mummudrai, she was a bodiless, psychic ghost until she found a host body to copy (in this case, her brother Charles's).
Who plays Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine?
Cassandra Nova is played by Emma Corrin.
Corrin is known for various roles in film and TV, including Princess Diana in season 4 of The Crown (a role which won them a Golden Globe), the films My Policeman and Lady Chatterley's Lover, and in the 2023 thriller miniseries A Murder at the End of the World.
British actor Corrin is 28 and is also accomplished on stage, being nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for their 2021 West End debut in Anna X.
Deadpool & Wolverine will be released on 26th July 2024.
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Authors
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
