Will There Be ‘Ghost Rider 3’?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been on a roll lately, with a slew of successful movies and TV shows that have captivated audiences worldwide. One franchise that has been on hiatus for some time is the ‘Ghost Rider’ series, which has been absent from the big screen since the release of ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ in 2012. With the MCU expanding its roster of characters, fans are naturally wondering: will there be a ‘Ghost Rider 3’?
The Origins of Ghost Rider
For the uninitiated, Ghost Rider is a supernatural anti-hero created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog. The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972 and has since become a staple of the Marvel Universe. Ghost Rider’s real name is Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcycle rider who sells his soul to the demon Mephisto to save the life of his mentor, Carter Slade. Blaze’s soul is subsequently trapped in the body of a hellish motorcycle, which becomes his vessel for justice and vengeance.
The Previous Films
The first ‘Ghost Rider’ film, released in 2007, starred Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze and featured a storyline that deviated significantly from the source material. The movie received mixed reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office. The sequel, ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’, was released four years later and starred Nicolas Cage once again. The film received even more negative reviews and was a commercial disappointment.
The MCU Connection
Given the success of the MCU, there has been speculation about Ghost Rider’s potential inclusion in the franchise. In 2019, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that the character was still on the table, stating that "there are a lot of characters in the Marvel universe that we’re excited about, and Ghost Rider is one of them." This news sparked renewed interest in the character, with many fans hoping to see a reboot or continuation of the franchise.
Recent Developments
In recent months, there have been whispers of a potential ‘Ghost Rider’ reboot, with Marvel Studios reportedly in talks with a writer to pen the script. While there has been no official announcement, the rumors have generated significant buzz among fans. Additionally, actor Nicolas Cage has expressed interest in reprising his role as Johnny Blaze, stating that he would "love to play Ghost Rider again" and that "there’s still a lot of story to be told."
Conclusion
While there has been no official confirmation of a ‘Ghost Rider 3’, the signs are promising. With the MCU’s recent success and the character’s enduring popularity, it’s likely that we’ll see Ghost Rider return to the big screen in some form. Whether it’s a reboot, a continuation of the previous films, or a fresh take on the character, fans are eagerly awaiting news about the future of this beloved franchise. Only time will tell if we’ll see Johnny Blaze and his hellish motorcycle return to the MCU.