While Marvel Studios is confirmed to be developing plenty of new characters for the MCU like the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, there are other major players that are still up in the air. Some of these come from Marvel's more supernatural properties. This is partially being rectified with upcoming heroes like Mahershala Ali's Blade; although, others like the fiery Ghost Rider remain waiting in the wings.
Ghost Rider, specifically, has had quite a rocky history with Marvel properties over the past 20 years. Nicolas Cage brought Johnny Blaze to the big screen in a pair of blockbusters from 2007 and 2011 before Gabriel Luna took the Robbie Reyes version to TV in Season 4 of Agents of SHIELD.
Of all the characters that don't have a confirmed future in the MCU, Ghost Rider has remained in discussions and fan castings more than almost anybody.
One of the more prominent actor names in those fan castings has been Norman Reedus, who hasn't shied away from teasing the idea of joining the MCU as the franchise's flaming hero. Recently, he tackled the subject yet again, tiptoeing carefully as he discussed the notion of playing the MCU's Johnny Blaze.
Norman Reedus Still Wants Ghost Rider
When The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus was asked about the leaks and rumors surrounding the potential casting of the MCU's Ghost Rider, Reedus only took a "we'll see" approach when looking at his future with Marvel Studios during an interview with ComicBook
Admitting that he's heard the chatter about Ghost Rider, he couldn't say anything definitive on the matter:
"I don't know. Fingers crossed. I don't know. There's been a lot of talk over the last couple years. I do not have an answer for you."
Will Reedus Join the MCU?
Norman Reedus certainly has the same star power as many of the MCU's biggest names, having starred in the Emmy-award-winning The Walking Dead for the past 12 years. He even has a history with Marvel after playing a small role in 2002's Blade II alongside Wesley Snipes; although now, he has his sights on a much bigger role in the MCU.
While Reedus taking on Ghost Rider is still up in the air, the character itself would be something of a great fit into the MCU's growing supernatural storyline.
The Cosmic branch of the MCU has both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Thor: Love and Thunder to look forward to, while the Multiversal side of the story will continue with movies such as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Now, MCU Supernatural is gaining steam on its own accord with multiple major heroes adding to that narrative.
Already confirmed are March's Moon Knight on Disney+ and Blade sometime in 2023 or later in theaters, whose lead heroes could both find themselves working alongside Ghost Rider in certain storylines. These three could potentially form some version of the Midnight Suns within the MCU should Marvel go that route, but there are no plans to take that tour just yet.
Regardless of what happens in the bigger picture, it seems as though it will be some time until Reedus' status as the MCU's Ghost Rider becomes reality - if and when it happens. It's at least great to see somebody so passionate about Marvel's heroes the way Reedus is, and the hope is that this passion will put him in a good position to realize his dream.
