Nicolas Cage Comments On Possible Ghost Rider MCU Return

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Nicolas Cage has commented on whether or not he is interested in returning as Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cage originally played the Marvel superhero in the 2007 movie Ghost Rider, and then once again in its 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, though neither film was considered MCU canon. Although the movies were not well received critically, Cage's Ghost Rider is a favorite character for many comic book fans.

 

In the 2007 film, Blaze is a famous motorcycle stunt rider who, after literally making a deal with the devil (specifically Mephistopheles, played by Peter Fonda), gains the powers of the Ghost Rider. Whenever he's in the presence of evil, Blaze is taken over by the Spirit of Vengeance, transforming him into a flaming skeleton with super strength and the ability to turn any object into a fiery weapon. The 2011 Ghost Rider sequel saw Blaze take on the devil himself, this time named Roarke (played by Ciarán Hinds), as he rescued a 10-year-old boy from an unsavory end.

 

 

In an interview with Comicbook.com about his upcoming film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Cage was asked whether he has any interest in reprising his role as the Spirit of Vengeance in the MCU. The actor responded with some surprisingly deep insight, sharing his views on the situation by comparing Ghost Rider to the legendary Faust. Stopping short of confirming whether he would ever return as Blaze in the MCU, Cage described Ghost Rider as a "philosophical" and "special" superhero. Read his comments below:

 

"Ghost Rider is an amazing character. I mean, he's a complicated character. It's kind of like, how do you tell the story of Faust within the context of that universe? Because it's a very philosophical character. I think it makes him special from other superheroes."

 

A different iteration of the Ghost Rider character to Cage's was brought into the MCU when Gabriel Luna was introduced as Robbie Reyes in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D season 4 in 2016. However, the MCU Disney+ shows seem to be wiping Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from official MCU canon, with the Darkhold making an appearance in WandaVision (the Book of the Damned first appeared in Agents, and it looked quite different). Given this separation of Marvel TV and movie projects, it appears that the spot has opened up for the Spirit of Vengeance to ride on in once again, if Cage is open to a potential return.

 

With his flaming motorcycle, his blazing chain-whip and his signature leather jacket, Ghost Rider is one of Marvel's darkest superheroes. Known for taking on the creatures of Hell, the character would definitely bring a dark tone with him to the MCU. Given that the upcoming Moon Knight series seems to be doing just that, and also the fact that Eric Brooks/Blade is coming to the MCU (played by Mahershala Ali), the introduction of Ghost Rider could lead fans to expect a live-action adaptation of the dark superhero team, the Midnight Sons. However, whether Cage will be the actor to make this happen is yet to be seen.

 

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