Fan-casts for Ghost Rider in the MCU have been rife, and Keanu Reeves has emerged as a favorite, but I actually think someone else would be better suited to portray this iconic Marvel anithero. While there have been several previous live-action adaptations of the Spirit of Vengeance, played by Nicolas Cage and Gabriel Luna, among others, Ghost Rider still hasn’t appeared in the MCU. Ghost Rider is one of my favorite Marvel Comics heroes, so I’m very excited about him possibly joining the MCU, but Marvel needs to get the casting right.
Marvel Studios has recently been focusing more on supernatural and mystical stories in the MCU, spurring theories that the Midnight Sons team will soon be forming. I don’t want to see the Midnight Sons without Ghost Rider, whether it be Johnny Blaze, Robbie Reyes or Danny Ketch, so I would love to see the flame-headed antihero finally debut in the MCU. Many brilliant actors have been fan-cast as Ghost Rider, but while Keanu Reeves has become a popular choice, he’s not who I would choose for the role.
Keanu Reeves Has Been Heavily Fan-Cast As The MCU’s Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider Is Keanu Reeves’ Childhood Dream Marvel Role
Keanu Reeves has been a firm favorite to become the MCU’s Ghost Rider ever since speculation regarding the character’s debut began. Reeves has years of experience in high-octane action movies, but has demonstrated the ability to portray vulnerability and emotion as well as intensity and power. Being able to strike this balance is a necessary attribute for anyone hoping to play Ghost Rider in live-action. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live in October 2022, Keanu Reeves even revealed that his dream MCU role, according to his 10-year-old self, would be Ghost Rider.
Keanu Reeves is, of course, not the only actor supposedly in the running to become Ghost Rider, but he is one of the favorites among MCU fans. Keanu Reeves’ confidence, quiet bravado, name recognition and action experience would perhaps make him a perfect choice for Ghost Rider, even when other actors, including Ryan Gosling, Glen Powell, Boyd Holbrook and Charlie Hunnam have also been suggested. However, I don’t actually want Keanu Reeves to become Ghost Rider, and I’d much prefer someone else took on the role.
I Don’t Think Keanu Reeves Is The Right Fit For Ghost Rider In The MCU
Ghost Rider Is Too Similar To Keanu Reeves’ Previous Roles
While he might be a popular choice, I don’t want Keanu Reeves to be Ghost Rider. Any iteration of Ghost Rider would be a character very similar to roles that Reeves has portrayed in the past, so the actor wouldn’t be bringing anything new to the role, whereas someone else could deliver a fresh take that doesn’t remind us of Constantine, John Wick, Neo or any of Reeves’ other action-based characters. Someone else would perhaps be able to bring a more youthful energy to Ghost Rider, and spearhead the MCU’s supernatural stories for years to come.
I reckon it would be better for the MCU if Keanu Reeves appears as a variant of Ghost Rider, or is cast as an entirely different MCU character. What If…? season 3’s finale confirmed that Ghost Rider variants do exist in the MCU, so the door may be wide open for Keanu Reeves to get his dream role, though I reckon Marvel should avoid making him the permanent version of the Spirit of Vengeance. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Keanu Reeves in the MCU, but I think there’s one actor better suited to Ghost Rider.
Norman Reedus Is My Pick To Play The MCU’s Ghost Rider
Norman Reedus Would Make An Incredible Ghost Rider
Enter Norman Reedus. Known for roles in The Boondock Saints, American Gangster and 8MM, Norman Reedus is perhaps best known for playing Daryl Dixon in The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and its spinoffs from 2010 until the present day. I reckon Norman Reedus is a much better fit for the rough-around-the-edges and hardened Ghost Rider in the MCU. The motorcycle is often Ghost Rider’s vehicle of choice, and Reedus is an avid motorbike lover, hosting his own docu-series, Ride with Norman Reedus, and the similarities don’t end there.
Norman Reedus is the strong, silent type, which works perfectly for Ghost Rider, and he has experience working with motion capture, as he has acted for video games in recent years, including the Death Stranding series, which would benefit him when portraying Ghost Rider in his fiery form.
Similarly to Keanu Reeves, Norman Reedus has demonstrated some incredible acting talent and range over the years, being able to deliver some moments of raw emotion, high drama, intense vulnerability and brilliant comic relief. His previous roles prove he is a lover of action and grounded stories, but he always brings something new and interesting to his characters. I’d love to see Norman Reedus become the MCU’s Ghost Rider, allowing him to put all his talents to the test in one of Marvel’s most iconic roles.
What Norman Reedus Has Said About Playing Ghost Rider
Norman Reedus Has Expressed Interest In Being The MCU’s Ghost Rider
Norman Reedus has been very vocal about his desire to play Ghost Rider in the MCU, which gives me hope that this perfect casting could come to fruition in live-action. Back in 2016, Reedus revealed to Uproxx that, while he loved Nicolas Cage’s interpretation of Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider and its 2012 sequel, he’d jump at the chance to take on the role. Noting that “it would be a blast,” and delivering a solid “I want to play Ghost Rider” while speaking to ComicBook in 2021, Reedus’ ambition to play the antihero makes me very excited.
Hell yeah. It would be a blast. Do I get a skull face that’s on fire and all that stuff? F**k yeah. I’m down.
The Ghost Rider conversation has been coming up for years, and yeah, tell them to put me in it. I want to play Ghost Rider. That would be great. So, I don’t know, call somebody, make that happen. I want to do it. I want a fire skull. I want my face to turn into a fire skull and whip a chain around. That would be great. I got 12 [motorcycles]. I’d just pick one. I’ll do it, yeah.
Reedus reiterated these comments in a 2022 interview with ComicBook, stating, “Fingers crossed,” but nothing has been heard about this possible casting since then. I think Norman Reedus is the perfect choice to play Ghost Rider, while I would love to see Keanu Reeves take on a different, perhaps more put-together and scheming, role in the MCU. It’s unclear if or when Ghost Rider will be making his first live-action appearance in the MCU, but I’m hopeful that casting news for the Spirit of Vengeance is right round the corner.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027
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