The Marvel Cinematic Universe has plenty of fantastic options when it comes time to cast their version of Ghost Rider, specifically Johnny Blaze.

Ghost Rider has yet to make his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though the famed Marvel Studios has a wealth of tantalizing choices when it comes to casting the burning hero. Of all the most important Marvel characters yet to appear in the MCU, Ghost Rider is one of the most popular and well-known, famous for his battles with demons like Mephisto and Blackheart as well as his status as one of the most quietly powerful figures in Marvel mythology. Though several characters have taken the mantle of Ghost Rider, the most famous is the original, Johnny Blaze.

Previously, Johnny Blaze was played by Nicholas Cage, who turned in a bizarre performance in the short-lived Ghost Rider duology. When it comes to casting Johnny Blaze, there are a few important traits the Marvel Cinematic Universe will need to be on the lookout for. Besides having the scrappy look of a down-and-out blonde stunt rider, Johnny Blaze is something of a tragic character, possessed by his dangerous alter ego in a manner similar to the Hulk. Actors who can weaponize a sort of dour charisma will be front-and-center, ideally with experience riding motorcycles and doing stunts, as well.

10. Boyd Holbrook

An R-rated Duperhero Movie Veteran With Demonstrated Biker Skills

Not the most well-known name in Hollywood, Boyd Holbrook nevertheless promises great potential as a Johnny Blaze. Holbrook is most well-known for his roles as DEA Agent Steve Murphy in Netflix’s Narcos, as well as Corinthian in The Sandman series. Between playing a federal agent and a living nightmare, Holbrook could easily merge his experience from both roles, creating the pursuing Spirit of Vengeance that is Ghost Rider. Holbrook also is a notably close match to Johnny Blaze appearance wise, with his ability to rock dirty blonde hair and a five-o’-clock shadow.

Holbrook also made an appearance in Fox’s Logan, one of the most critically-acclaimed comic book movies to be rated R. Considering that Ghost Rider has a much better chance of success as an R-rated project, it may be wise to seek Holbrook’s experience in such territory. Of course, Ghost Rider is nothing without his bike, and Boyd Holbrook held his own against big names like Austin Butler as a member of the Vandals outlaw motorcycle gang in The Bikeriders.

9. Norman Reedus

A Popular Front-Runner With Enthusiasm For The Role

These days, Norman Reedus may be better known for his motion capture work in Hideo Kojima’s critically-acclaimed video game Death Stranding, in which he plays a hapless courier in a bleak science fiction world. However, Reedus first rose to fame as Darly Dixon of The Walking Dead‘s cast, a notable motorcycle enthusiast who was a fan-favorite among the series’ bloated roster. Most importantly, Reedus expressed interest in playing Ghost Rider, making him an obvious frontrunner for the role.

Of course, merely having an enthusiasm for the character isn’t the only reason Norman Reedus would make an excellent Johnny Blaze. His breakout role being a character very comfortable on a motorcycle certainly helps his case, but his hands-on training with delicate motion capture work in Death Stranding is another overlooked advantage. Compared to other actors, Reedus may be better at enduring the long hours of motion capture work needed to give an animation skeleton to, ironically, Ghost Rider’s flaming skull.

8. Luke Grimes

Could Exemplify The Spirit Of Vengeance’s Western Aesthetic

As a character, Ghost Rider has always had something of a Western bent to him, evoking the imagery of the Cowboy as he vilantly rides his steel steed across the American continent looking to dole out justice to those who deserve the Spirit of Vengeance’s wrath. To this end, it might behoove the MCU to cast the rising star of an acclaimed series with similar Western trappings, Luke Grimes. Known for Kayce Dutton in Yellowstone, Grimes helped to characterize the bleak frontier of rural Montana with a striking performance that might translate well to Johnny Blaze, eternally on the road.

His Western experience doesn’t stop there, with Grimes having contributed his talents to the posse of 2016’s The Magnificent Seven. Grimes also has experience playing an American hero, Marc Lee, in American Sniper, showing off an unwavering resolve in the face of danger that would work great for any Marvel protagonist. Of course, it helps that Grimes is a great match for Johnny Blaze’s appearance in the comics, as well.

7. Dacre Montgomery

The Young Candidate The MCU Might Need

Age is too often overlooked when it comes to filling out the hypothetical rosters of Marvel’s future films, as the actors in question may be expected to hold on to the role for many films to come. Even if the MCU no longer has actors sign lengthy contracts that greedily swallow a given star’s schedule for the foreseeable future, it’s hard to understate the importance of longevity when it comes to introducing a new hero this late in the game. Luckily, Dacre Montgomery might be just the rising talent the MCU needs to harness for a nascent Johnny Blaze.

Montgomery rose to fame relatively recently as Billy Hargrove in season 2 of Stranger Things, where he showed off a flawless American accent despite his upbringing in Australia. No stranger to costumed heroism, Montgomery also got the honor of portraying the Red Ranger in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot, a fine performance if trapped in a mediocre film. At only 29 years old, Dacre Montgomery might be just what the MCU needs to re-invigorate its next generation of lasting superheroes.

6. Travis Fimmel

From Ferocious Viking To Vengeful Hunter

Travis Fimmel may have gotten his start as a model, but his ferocious acting career implies a force of personality that could truly bring MCU’s Johnny Blaze to life. Fimmel’s first major role was in the 2016 film Warcraft, adapting the famous Blizzard video game of the same name. However, his most successful character was that of Ragnar Lothbok in the History Channel TV show Vikings, a strong enough presence to carry the show.

Fimmel’s tenure as Ragnar displays not only some clear-cut charisma capable of carrying a multi-million-dollar Marvel movie, but the capacity to take the character of Johnny Blaze on a fascinating emotional journey. Just as Ragnar goes from farmer to warrior to Jarl, Johnny can go from the first confused Spirit of Vengeance to an ultimate source of guidance or mentor for the next name to inherit the curse, such as Danny Ketch. Looks-wise, vikings aren’t too far off from modern-day biker gangs, meaning Fimmel could show up for a memorable, if not entirely comics-accurate, Johnny Blaze.

5. Keanu Reeves

Ghost Rider May Be The Role To Finally Land Him In Marvel’s Employ

One of the most famous actors yet to fall into the MCU’s clutches, Keanu Reeves has had several near-misses in the franchise, almost playing Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel. Needing little introduction, Keanu Reeves has proven experience carrying a franchise, from John Wick to The Matrix to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Reeves could realistically work as many Marvel heroes, but he may be particularly suited to Ghost Rider for a few key reasons.

For one, Keanu Reeves named Ghost Rider as a possibility already, stating that the character would likely be the dream role of “ten-year-old me.” Secondly, Reeves is an incredibly physical actor, used to doing his own stunts, meaning daredevil Johnny Blaze would be all the more authentic under his command. Finally, Reeves is one of the most prolific motorcyclist movie stars around, even owning his own custom motorcycle company, ARCH Motorcycle. Clearly, few actors would be as comfortable in the role of Johnny Blaze as Keanu Reeves would.

4. Charlie Hunnam

Famously Played A Biker For 16 Years

Charlie Hunnam might not exactly be a household name, but his experience makes him uniquely qualified to portray Johnny Blaze in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hunnam is most famous for the character Jax Teller in FX’s Sons of Anarchy, a complex, multi-faceted character who just so happens to be a member of a biker gang. Hunnam also has his fair share of experience with big-budget blockbusters evocative of the MCU, including Pacific Rim and Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire.

Having played an outlaw biker for 16 years, Charlie Hunnam makes a lot of sense for the MCU’s take on Johnny Blaze. He has the looks to pull off a more mature, if not incapable, version of Blaze that could place him as a tragic washed-up stunt performer harboring his terrible curse. With exposure to biker gang culture and high concept, CGI-laden blockbusters alike, few could contests the casting of Charlie Hunnam as Johnny Blaze.

3. Ryan Gosling

A Hot Commodity With The Chops To Take On Ghost Rider

Another one of the biggest names in Hollywood to slip through the cracks of the MCU, Ryan Gosling has been eyed for Marvel roles in the past, but never managed to get assigned to a character from the iconic comic book franchise. As a performer, Gosling has a range matched by few actors, from the air-headed Ken in Barbie to the adorably awkward titular character of Lars and the Real Girl to strong silent types in movies like Drive and Blade Runner 2049. There’s little question that Gosling would be able to elevate Johnny Blaze to new heights.

Gosling’s ability to rock a platinum blonde haircut and his famously steely-eyed look place him perfectly as a visual for Johnny Blaze. Beyond that, Gosling has inhabited characters with a similar sense of tragic determination, especially his character in Drive, who is even a stunt driver just like Blaze. In The Place Beyond The Pines, he even plays a stunt motorcycle rider, giving him perfect experience to fuel a well-rounded Ghost Rider performance.

2. Dax Shepard

Something Of An Adrenaline Junkie, Just Like Johnny Blaze Himself

Not most moviegoer’s idea of a leading man, it’s about time that Dax Shepard got a chance to show off his heroic side, even if it is within the demonic confines of a vicious hero like Ghost Rider. Shepard is best known for his comedic roles, playing characters in movies like Without a Paddle, Employee of the Month, and CHiPs. It’s worth noting that most of his films do have at least some level of an action element, meaning that the stunt work and fight scenes that come with the territory of Marvel films won’t be anything new to him.

In particular, Hit and Run offers an interesting look into Shepard’s potential as Johnny Blaze. Shepard also wrote and co-directed the film, which placed his character in a variety of adrenaline-fueled vehicle chases and stunts that suggest an itch for daredevil antics that might be perfect for Johnny Blaze. It’s worth noting that Shepard is known to even race motorcycles for charity events in his free time, making him an actor that wouldn’t shy away from the two-wheeled insanity that an MCU Ghost Rider would likely come with.

1. Jensen Ackles

Played Another Supernatural Hunter For Many Years

These days, the Supernatural veteran Jensen Ackles is wanted for Batman, but Marvel might be able to intrigue him with the coveted spot of Ghost Rider. Ackles is best known for playing Dean Winchester in the hit series Supernatural for 18 years, but his recent escapades in comic book movies and TV shows should put him in the MCU’s orbit. Ackles did a phenomenal job as Soldier Boy in Amazon’s The Boys, but has also lent his voice to Batman and Jason Todd in a variety of DC animated films.

Just like Dean Winchester, Johnny Blaze is a roaming vigilante that hunts demons, and Ackles’ commitment to the character for 15 years suggests he won’t get cold feet for follow-up films any time soon. Ackles has shown a clear respect and reverence for his many superhero roles, and clearly isn’t afraid to get physical when the scene demands it, a valuable skill to have in Marvel’s employ. If they were ever looking to cast an authentic Johnny Blaze, the Marvel Cinematic Universe would do well to look to Jensen Ackles