MCU Fans Push for Nicolas Cage Ghost Rider Return
Following reports of Tobey Maguire and Hugh Jackman's comeback, Marvel enthusiasts are campaigning for another veteran actor to join the multiverse battle. The demand centers on bringing back a flame-skulled antihero.
Marvel fans aren't satisfied with just Tobey Maguire and Hugh Jackman making their way back to the MCU. Now they're pushing Kevin Feige to resurrect another beloved character for Avengers: Doomsday. The target of their campaign? Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider.
Cage has always been a massive comic book enthusiast who fought hard to land the Ghost Rider role. Before Willem Dafoe claimed the Green Goblin part, Cage was actually in talks with Sam Raimi about playing Spider-Man's nemesis. Scheduling conflicts with other films kept him from pursuing it further.
Stan Lee himself thought Cage would make an excellent Green Goblin, once saying "He'd be a great Green Goblin." Comic book roles seemed to follow Cage everywhere. He was also set to play Superman in Tim Burton's scrapped Superman Lives project. Currently, he's starring in Sony's live-action Spider-Man Noir series.
While his Ghost Rider films didn't reach the same heights as Dafoe's villain work, Cage built a solid fanbase as the supernatural antihero. Marvel supporters now want Feige to cast him again as Johnny Blaze, joining other returning characters from various Disney-owned Marvel properties.
Previous Attempts to Bring Back the Spirit of Vengeance
Ryan Reynolds revealed that Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider was supposed to show up in Deadpool & Wolverine. During an Entertainment Weekly interview, Reynolds explained that Cage was among the Marvel heroes planned to help Deadpool and Wolverine fight Emma Corrin's Cassandra Nova.
Reynolds wanted Cage in the movie and had discussions with him, but the actor ultimately passed on reprising the role. Cage hasn't played Ghost Rider since 2011's Spirit of Vengeance. Marvel introduced a different Ghost Rider in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Gabriel Luna playing the Robbie Reyes version of the character.
Industry insider Daniel Richtman shared on his Patreon that Cage will return as Johnny Blaze in an upcoming MCU project. Fans are hoping the actor joins other veterans in either Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
Maguire and Jackman's Confirmed Returns
Daniel Richtman also reported that Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will actually fight each other in Avengers: Doomsday. The insider posted images suggesting Maguire's web-slinger won't be an easy opponent for the clawed mutant.
Fans initially expected Maguire to appear in Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Recent updates suggest neither Maguire nor Andrew Garfield will return for Spider-Man 4. While Maguire's involvement in the next Spider-Man film remains uncertain, Richtman confirms he'll appear in Doomsday alongside Jackman.
These return rumors first surfaced in 2023 when Marvel was still developing The Kang Dynasty. Back then, reports suggested Maguire and Jackman would lead TVA's multiversal army against Kang. Richtman's latest report indicates they won't be teaming up in the next MCU film starring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
Ghost Rider is currently streaming on Starz with AppleTV.