As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gears up for monumental shifts in Phase 6, a sizzling new rumor has sent shockwaves through fandom: Nicolas Cage is allegedly set to reprise his role as Ghost Rider in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on May 1, 2026. Far from a mere cameo, whispers suggest that Cage’s Johnny Blaze will play a pivotal role in the film’s climactic battle, squaring off against the MCU’s mightiest heroes. Adding fuel to the fire, the rumor hints at a massive showdown involving the X-Men and the MCU, with heroes from alternate universes spilling through multiversal portals—a chaotic consequence of cosmic “incursions.” Let’s dive into this electrifying rumor and explore what it could mean for the MCU’s future.
According to unverified buzz circulating on social media, particularly from posts on X, Nicolas Cage will step back into the fiery boots of Johnny Blaze, the character he portrayed in Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011). This would mark his first major return to the role in over a decade. What makes the rumor particularly tantalizing is Ghost Rider’s supposed prominence in Avengers: Doomsday. Rather than a fleeting appearance, Johnny Blaze is said to stand at the forefront of a colossal conflict, clashing with MCU stalwarts like Captain America (Anthony Mackie), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), or even Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). This showdown is described as the film’s high-stakes climax, where the boundaries between realities crumble, unleashing multiversal mayhem.
The rumor gains even more traction with mentions of the X-Men’s involvement in Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel Studios has recently confirmed that several actors from Fox’s X-Men franchise will return, including Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler). Their presence suggests that Avengers: Doomsday will delve deeper into the multiverse, pitting characters from Earth-10005 (the Fox X-Men universe) against Earth-616 (the MCU’s primary reality). According to the rumor, the X-Men’s confrontation with the MCU heroes will be a central spectacle, with Cage’s Ghost Rider potentially acting as a wildcard—either a neutral force or an adversary, complicating the battlefield dynamics.
Another detail setting pulses racing is the claim that heroes from other universes will arrive through multiversal portals. The rumor posits that these portals are triggered by “incursions”—catastrophic collisions between universes, first introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Beyond Ghost Rider, fans speculate that familiar faces from past Marvel projects, such as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine or characters from the Fantastic Four universe, could emerge. These portals are said to be a direct result of multiversal instability caused by Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), the mastermind villain of Avengers: Doomsday.
Cage’s potential return as Ghost Rider isn’t entirely out of left field. The actor has previously expressed enthusiasm for revisiting Johnny Blaze, especially as the MCU leans harder into multiversal storytelling. Cage made a brief appearance as a Ghost Rider variant in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), though it was little more than a nod. If the Avengers: Doomsday rumor holds true, his role this time would be far weightier—perhaps a fiercer, more comics-accurate Ghost Rider, embodying the “Spirit of Vengeance” in all its blazing glory. Some fans even theorize that Cage’s character could hail from an entirely new universe, potentially crossing paths with other supernatural MCU figures like Blade (Mahershala Ali).
That said, these are still unconfirmed whispers. Marvel Studios is notorious for guarding plot details, and social media leaks often lean speculative. Some sources, like a post from X user @MarvelLeaks22, suggest Cage’s Ghost Rider might appear in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) instead—or possibly both films. Regardless, the idea of a multiversal brawl featuring Ghost Rider, the X-Men, and the MCU’s heroes has ignited fan forums. Many hope that if Cage returns, he’ll deliver a Ghost Rider brimming with intensity and his signature eccentric flair, true to his unforgettable screen presence.
Overall, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s most ambitious outings, boasting a star-studded cast and a narrative tied to the survival of the entire multiverse. Bringing Ghost Rider into the fold, especially as a foe to the MCU’s heroes, would be a daring move, opening doors to fresh explorations of the character. Whether the rumor pans out remains to be seen, but Marvel is clearly banking on surprise and nostalgia to captivate audiences.
For now, fans can only await official word from Marvel Studios as Avengers: Doomsday inches closer to its release. Will Nicolas Cage truly set the screen ablaze as Ghost Rider once more? And how will a clash between the X-Men, Ghost Rider, and the MCU’s finest unfold? The answers remain shrouded in mystery, but that very mystery is what’s making Avengers: Doomsday the hottest topic among superhero enthusiasts.
