Notorious Marvel Flop Becomes A Streaming Hit (As MCU Return Rumors Swirl)

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Marvel Comics have inspired many popular movies over the last quarter-century, though not all of them have been critical successes. A particular low point was *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance*, the 2013 sequel to the first *Ghost Rider* film. The movie was widely criticized and earned just $132.5 million worldwide, despite costing $57 million to make. While most fans consider it one of the weakest Marvel films, *Spirit of Vengeance* is now gaining a new following thanks to streaming platforms.

From September 29th to October 5th, *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance* ranked as the 10th most popular movie on Netflix in the U.S. It landed behind films like *Idiocracy* and *Sweet Home Alabama*. This was the first week the movie made it into the top 10, and it’s appearing on streaming at a particularly noteworthy moment.

Could Ghost Rider Return to the MCU In Avengers: Doomsday?

With Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider gaining popularity again on Netflix, fans are wondering if the character might appear in a future Marvel movie. Recent rumors about Avengers: Doomsday suggest the film will feature several cameos, and Ghost Rider is one possibility. While it’s unclear if Nicolas Cage would return to play the role, the movie’s focus on the multiverse makes it a real possibility – we’ve already seen actors from before the Marvel Cinematic Universe return in new films, and Cage could be next if he’s interested.

Gabriel Luna famously played Ghost Rider (as Robbie Reyes) in the TV series *Agents of SHIELD*. He was once slated to star in his own *Ghost Rider* show, but that project was cancelled due to changes at the studio. Luna has expressed interest in reprising the role, potentially opening the door for him to appear in the upcoming *Doomsday* movie. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and shows like *Agents of SHIELD* weren’t always closely connected, things are different now. Kevin Feige might be looking for ways to acknowledge Marvel’s TV history, and a cameo by Robbie Reyes in *Doomsday* could be a great way to do that.

If a Ghost Rider appearance is planned, using Gabriel Luna instead of Nicolas Cage might be a better choice. The *Ghost Rider* movies weren’t popular, and unlike the older *X-Men*, *Spider-Man*, and *Fantastic Four* films, there isn’t much positive nostalgia for them. Because of this, and the fact that it’s been a long time since Cage played the role, a cameo could feel underwhelming. It might not have the same impact as seeing Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man or Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. Luna played the character more recently, so he’d likely be more familiar to modern audiences.

It would be great to see Nicolas Cage or Luna reappear, but Marvel doesn’t necessarily need the original actors if Ghost Rider makes a cameo. Whether it’s Johnny Blaze or Robbie Reyes, the character could be brought to life using CGI while in Ghost Rider form. They could even cast a new actor. With Marvel expanding the supernatural elements of the MCU, a Ghost Rider appearance could lay the groundwork for a bigger role after the Multiverse Saga ends. This allows Marvel to create a fresh take on the character without being tied to past versions.

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2025-10-09 23:01