After 8 Years Off-Screen, I Need The MCU To Bring Back A Marvel Hero Who’s Keanu Reeves & Ryan Gosling’s Dream Role

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been steadily growing their roster of heroes over the years, but one iconic character that both Keanu Reeves and Ryan Gosling would love to play has been missing from screens for years. Marvel Comics has an incredible catalog of heroes that have joined the lineup over the years. From The Fantastic Four, Marvel’s First Family, down to much more recent additions like Miles Morales as Spider-Man.

However, the MCU has steadily been increasing their slate since 2008, originally introducing The Avengers, and then bringing in a range of other characters. By the time the Infinity Saga ended, there were enough heroes to fill a mᴀssive battlefield in Wakanda, but as the end of the Multiverse Saga approaches, the absence of one notable hero is becoming more noticeable. And despite having had some popular adaptations on both the big and small screen, this character has yet to appear in the MCU.

Ghost Rider Has Been Missing From Marvel Movies & Shows For Too Long

Ghost Rider Needs To Make A Comeback In The MCU

Ghost Rider is one of the most popular heroes from Marvel Comics, having originally been introduced all the way back in 1971. Since then, the character has undergone many different adventures in the comics, and their history has been carefully written. On top of that, the character appeared in some animated Marvel shows throughout the 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2007 that he got his big-screen debut in Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage.

While the initial movie was well-received, the sequel in 2011 was decidedly less so. And this led to the character being largely shelved in live-action until 2017, when he appeared in season 4 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Now, nearly a decade later, the character hasn’t appeared in live-action since the season 4 finale, despite their being plenty of interest from some incredibly talented individuals in Hollywood.

The Actors Who Want To Play Ghost Rider Underline How Perfect The Hero’s MCU Return Could Really Be

Keanu Reeves & Ryan Gosling Both Want A Chance At Playing Ghost Rider

Both Keanu Reeves and Ryan Gosling have expressed interest in playing the role of Ghost Rider, with a particular keenness for playing the role of Johnny Blaze. Blaze is a daring stuntman who finds himself cursed to become the Ghost Rider and begins taking the souls of the unworthy. In this way, the character acts like a sort of superhero version of the Grim Reaper, though they fit perfectly into the magical and mystical world of Marvel Comics. And seeing the talent the role is attracting suggests it could be a great addition to the current landscape of the MCU.

Both Reeves and Gosling are incredible stars who have dedicated followings, and have starred in a number of films and franchises where their skill at playing heroes and action stars comes across. For Reeves, his work on The Matrix, John Wick, and Speed all speak for themselves. And while Gosling’s career has had a more unconventional path through a variety of genres, he has settled into becoming a spectacular action man in films like Blade Runner 2049 and The Fall Guy.

How Ghost Rider Could Return In The Current MCU’s Story

The MCU Has Several Ways For Ghost Rider To Appear

While Johnny Blaze is the most recognizable version of Ghost Rider, the spirit of Ghost Rider has possessed a large number of characters in the comics, which could present a great way for the character to join the MCU. One notable character who recently made their debut, Frank Castle, had a stretch of time as the Ghost Rider, and this could be an interesting way to introduce the hero prior to finding Johnny Blaze and seeing his story unfold with the Ghost Rider.

However, there are plenty of other ways that the expansive MCU could approach bringing the character into the MCU. There are several mystical stories currently taking place in the MCU, as seen in the Doctor Strange movies, Agatha All Along, and even the Marvel Special Presentation, Werewolf By Night. All of these shows could serve as a way to bring in a character like Ghost Rider. However, if the role of Ghost Rider is given to a major actor like Reeves or Gosling, it would make sense to introduce them in a tent-pole movie like Avengers: Doomsday before digging deeper into their story.