Ever since the concept of Ghost Rider was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Agents of SHIELD, there have been many rumors circulating about how and when the character might show up next and which incarnation of him it might be. Many fans online have notably selected Keanu Reeves as their main choice of fan casting. There is one actor, however, who has and continues to express the most interest in the role and is also the one who undoubtedly deserves it the most: Norman Reedus. Having played everyone’s favorite crossbow-wielding zombie killer, Daryl Dixon, for more than 15 years on both The Walking Dead and his character’s namesake spin-off series, Reedus is certainly no stranger to tackling comic book adaptations. Even though he’s now leading his series on TV, he’s yet to find himself in a notable leading man role in a feature film since The Boondock Saints II, and I think that Ghost Rider would be the perfect cinematic vehicle for him.

With the MCU (hopefully) soon set to dive into the more supernatural part of Marvel Comics’ lore with Blade, it seems like now is the perfect time for Ghost Rider to finally return to the big screen in the biggest and best way. Not only has Reedus been campaigning for the role for years, but I also believe that he has all the best qualities that would make for the best portrayal of the character yet.

Norman Reedus Has Expressed Interest in Playing Ghost Rider For Quite Some Time

Whether It Be In Interviews or On Social Media, the Actor Has Not Been Silent About His Desire to Play the Anti-Hero

Every Ghost Rider Actor in Film and TV (so far)
Films/Series
Version of the Character

Nicolas Cage
Ghost Rider (2007); Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
Johnny Blaze

Gabriel Luna
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2016-2017, 10 episodes)
Robby Reyes

Fred Tatasciore (voice)
Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (2015, 1 episode)
Johnny Blaze

There have been many instances in which an actor has expressed interest in a certain role or desires to take on a certain project, hoping to manifest it into being. Norman Reedus is no stranger to the world of Marvel, having voiced Frank Castle/The Punisher in the 2013 animated film, Iron Man: Rise of Technovore, but he’s yet to leap with a live-action role. Over the last few years, both Marvel fans and Norman Reedus himself have been campaigning heavily to have him join the MCU as Ghost Rider. When user likes on Twitter (now known as X) were made public, the actor had notably liked several pieces of fan art depicting him for the part, along with numerous posts advocating for and addressing rumors of his casting. If that wasn’t enough of an indication of his interest, he has also gone out of his way to make it known during interviews.

In a 2021 interview with ComicBook.com, promoting the final season of The Walking Dead, even interviewer Brandon Davis had been aware of the demand to see Reedus in the role. When asked about the possibility of doing so, the actor did not hold back one bit on his excitement over the idea.

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. I want a fire skull. I want my face to turn into a fire skull and whip a chain around. That would be great.

For any actor to be as passionate and enthusiastic about a role as Reedus has been with this specific character, it’s obvious that they’re going to put forth their strongest effort. Given the kind of dedication he’s brought to his previous performances, it would certainly be interesting to see what to the Marvel universe.

Norman Reedus Is The Most Qualified Actor To Take on a Ghost Rider Film

With His Love of Motorcycles and Arresting Screen Presence, It’s As If He Was Born To Play the Character

Best Norman Reedus Films and Shows
Role
Rotten Tomatoes Score

Stretch (2014)
Himself (cameo appearance)
88%

The Bikeriders (2024)
Funny Sonny
80%

Antibodies (2005)
Polizist Schmitz
65%

The success of Deadpool and Wolverine has finally opened the door for more R-rated MCU films to be produced, and it’s more than likely that a Ghost Rider movie could fall into that category, considering all the horror gruesomeness that takes place in the comics. With his ongoing experiences of hunting and killing zombies in the Walking Dead universe, it’s easy to imagine Norman Reedus bringing that same kind of energy to hunting down the sinful and defending the innocent. As much as people may want to see Keanu Reeves in the role, seeing how he’s already played a similar character in DC’s Constantine (set to return for a sequel) and is taking part in numerous other film franchises, it’s about time Reedus’ film career experienced something similar. Throughout his career, he’s become well-known not just for his captivating screen presence in playing rough-edged characters, but his opportunities for playing a romantic lead and even supporting comic relief have displayed a greater amount of range. Not only that but, as shown in his AMC travel series, Ride with Norman Reedus, he’s also become quite famous for being a motorcycle enthusiast.

Having provided his own motorcycle stunts as well as his own fight choreography without a body double on The Walking Dead, it certainly shows that he would no doubt bring a similar physical dedication to the part. With the kinds of visual effects that would be needed to bring the image of Ghost Rider to life, his previous experience with motion capture for the Death Stranding video game is something that would come in handy as well. The idea of having Reedus donning a leather jacket and whipping a chain while riding a flaming motorcycle is something that would no doubt result in perhaps one of the greatest visual images that could come out of the MCU, as he not only has the necessary aesthetic suited for the role, but the skill-set to completely nail it as well.

Which Version of Ghost Rider Should Norman Reedus Play?

There Have Been Many Different Ghost Riders in Marvel Comics, But Only 1 Variation Is Best Suited For the Actor

Norman Reedus can next be seen in the John Wick spin-off film, Ballerina, hitting theaters on June 26, along with The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3, airing on AMC later in the year.
Both of Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider films are now available to be streamed on Hulu and Disney+.

In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Ghost Rider curse was introduced with the character of Robby Reyes, but Johhny Blaze did make a brief non-speaking cameo in an episode. Many fans have expressed their disappointment and confusion over the apparent decision to remove Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from the official MCU canon (seemingly now taking place in an alternate timeline), but on the bright side, it has allowed for the opportunity to start completely fresh with the character. In the comics, there have been many different characters who have taken on the Ghost Rider curse, but which one could be the best fit for Norman Reedus? Robby Reyes can definitely be ruled out, given his age, ethnicity, and the potential for his return if the MCU decides to revisit Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with the multiverse; the Danny Ketch version of the character, however, could be an interesting one, especially given his tragic complexity and the fact that he has yet to receive the live-action treatment. There’s no doubt, however, that the original incarnation with Johnny Blaze would be the most suitable choice.

Not only is it, not the only version that audiences are more familiar with, but it would also make sense in terms of age, especially seeing how Reedus is now in his mid-50s and that the character is the oldest of the Ghost Riders seen throughout the comics. Instead of doing another origin story film, I can very easily see him as a more seasoned version of Ghost Rider, one who has already been living and dealing with the curse off-screen ever since the MCU’s beginning with Iron Man. While some may want to see a younger version of the character with Danny Ketch, who’s to say it still won’t happen later? In the meantime, I think it’s about time for all the manifestations that both Reedus and fans have been putting out over the last few years to finally pay off.