After years of speculation and eager fan theories, it seems Marvel Studios may finally be giving fans what they’ve long been waiting for: Ghost Rider’s long-awaited debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to a new rumor, the Russo Brothers, renowned for directing ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ are in the process of casting the Spirit of Vengeance for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. If true, the supernatural anti-hero could ride his flaming motorcycle straight into one of the most awaited MCU crossovers.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’s Ghost Rider Could Be A Variant
The rumor surfaced during the latest episode of The Hot Mic podcast, where insider Jeff Sneider shared that Marvel is actively casting Ghost Rider for Doomsday. “I have heard this week that Marvel is casting the role of Ghost Rider,” Sneider revealed. “That’s for Doomsday. I’m hearing that he is going to be in Doomsday.” While this isn’t the first time Ghost Rider has been mentioned in MCU speculation, this is by far the most credible hint.
Related: Marvel TV Head Brad Winderbaum Pitches For A ‘Ghost Rider’ Series Centered Around Danny Ketch
Importantly, this won’t be a return of Nicolas Cage’s Johnny Blaze from the 2000s films. Instead, it’ll be a brand-new interpretation, possibly a rebooted Johnny Blaze or another Ghost Rider variant like Robbie Reyes or Danny Ketch. With Marvel exploring the multiverse and variant characters all possibilities remain open.
The timing makes sense. Marvel Studios recently delayed both ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’, giving the creative team more breathing room to develop their storylines and characters. The delay, while frustrating to fans, also opens up space for integrating pivotal characters like Ghost Rider.
Fans who have been yearning for a darker heroic roster (something ‘Moon Knight’ and ‘Werewolf by Night’ have teased) are eagerly anticipating this potential addition. And with ‘Doomsday’ rumored to include everything from multiversal chaos to a battle with Doctor Doom himself, a vengeful anti-hero like Ghost Rider could be the perfect wildcard.
Ryan Gosling Might Be Our New Ghost Rider
Fueling even more speculation is none other than Ryan Gosling. When promoting ‘The Fall Guy’, Gosling was asked by Josh Horowitz about possibly playing Ghost Rider, a role Gosling had expressed interest in. When Kevin Feige was asked about Gosling’s potential involvement, the Marvel Studios head didn’t shut it down. That alone sent the internet into a frenzy.
In case you missed it: Ryan Reynolds Reveals He Tried Hard For Nicolas Cage’s Cameo As Ghost Rider
When asked directly if anything had materialized. “I don’t know,” Goslin stated. However, his enthusiasm was clear. “I would love to, it would be amazing,” he said. Fans online have already begun photoshopping flaming skulls onto him and the general reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
Moreover, rumors around ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ have been nothing short of explosive. The film is said to feature an unprecedented team-up of heroes, including the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and now potentially Ghost Rider. Speculation is growing that the movie will unite veteran X-Men actors. Whether it’s Ryan Gosling or another actor, one thing’s for sure: the character is long overdue. And if the rumors are true, that moment may be just around the corner.
