Ghost Rider: Highly Popular MCU Hero Dream Role
Should Ghost Rider's MCU debut be just around the horizon, numerous possible actors may provide the potent hero in live-action. Ryan Gosling most famously has been outspoken about his wish to bring the Spirit of Vengeance to life in the MCU, most recently restating the fact on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. Marvel executive Kevin Feige even approved of Gosling's MCU casting, pointing out he would "love to find a place for him in the MCU," (via Variety). Gosling, a nominee for an Academy Award, is not the only actor under consideration.
Having been fan-cast as Ghost Rider for some years, Norman Reedus, the actor from The Walking Dead, has expressed interest in the part going back to 2018's Walker Stalker Con, when he said, "Ghost Rider would be fun," (via Comicbook.com). This attitude was echoed in a 2021 interview with Comicbook.com when Reedus said, "I want to play Ghost Rider," quite straight forwardly. Legendary actor Keanu Reeves also revealed Ghost Rider was his childhood dream role during a 2022 guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, therefore making the flame-skulled hero among the most sought-after figures.
Ghost Rider: a Marvel Hero with much unrealized cinematic and television potential
Though the ventures in the character's live-action past haven't been all too successful, the fact that so many great actors want to play Ghost Rider indicates there is obviously a need for the Spirit of Vengeance to debut in the MCU. This is partly because the hero is limited in his past appearances and assigned only minimal more than an action hero. Though many various genres are combined in Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider—dark comedy, horror, and overt science fiction—these ideas have hardly been explored in live-action.
Though Marvel Studios can take Ghost Rider even farther to the extreme, Cage and Luna's performances of this character highlighted several fascinating aspects. While Robbie Reyes only appeared momentarily in Agents of SHIELD, Johnny Blaze had a brief run in Ghost Rider and its sequel. Ghost Rider would have more leeway in the MCU proper whether he is portrayed by Gosling, Reedus, Reeves, or someone else, enabling him to show more personality and leverage some of his underused skills and themes.
When Ghost Rider's never had a great movie, why do so many actors want to play him?
Ghost Rider has been among the most sought-after parts among performers wishing to join the MCU, despite his unsatisfactory live-action record. Marvel Studios has lately brought several spooky superheroes into live-action, but Ghost Rider still hasn't made his MCU debut even though he is among the most well-liked dark characters among Marvel Comics. The opening of The Spirit of Vengeance is much awaited, and several outstanding actors have declared Ghost Rider as their ideal Marvel role.
While Gabriel Luna portrayed Robbie Reyes' Ghost Rider on Marvel Television's Agents of SHIELD, Nicolas Cage earlier starred Johnny Blaze's Ghost Rider in his eponymous 2007 film. Although neither of these representations are regarded as canon to the MCU's main chronology, they open the door for a fresh Ghost Rider iteration to surface. This looks most likely to occur before the Multiverse Saga ends, which would let Ghost Rider rise among the most important fresh heroes in the MCU.
When Ghost Rider Might Show Up in the MCU Timeline (& Why An MCU Appearance Would Be Perfect)?
Particularly with rumors that Marvel Studios might be preparing the establishment of a live-action Midnight Sons squad, Ghost Rider has been extensively speculated upon as likely joining the MCU very soon. Ghost Rider is a regular member of the Midnight Sons in Marvel Comics, hence if Phase 6's forthcoming Blade movie teasers the squad, as is expected, Ghost Rider might debut with Daywalker Mahershala Ali. Ghost Rider might also star in his own live-action Marvel Spotlight series, same as Echo and Wonder Man, having first appeared in 1972's Marvel Spotlight #5.
Although Marvel Studios' development of its weird and terrible tales in the Multiverse Saga has been exciting, Ghost Rider remains a missing element of this story. Finally being included into the MCU will provide a fresh actor the chance to really make the role their own, apart from Cage and Luna's portrayal of the hellish hero. Any number of gifted performers wish to portray the Spirit of Vengeance, so Ghost Rider coming soon would provide much-needed star-power into the MCU.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Background
Beginning in 2008 with Paramount's Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr., the multimedia superhero series known as The Marvel Cinematic Universe The property became rather well-known fast, and Disney finally acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009. Among the scores of films and TV shows in the MCU are WandaVision, Loki, and Avengers: Endgame.
Future MCUs: Movies
Release Dates
Dexter & Wolverine
July 26, 2024.
Captain America in Brave New World
February 14, 2025.
Thunderbolts.
May five, 2025.
The Fantastic Four
July 25, 25 2025
Blade
November7, 2025
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Might 1, 2026
Avengers: Stealth Wars
April 7, 2027
