Marvel fans divided over MCU's version of Ghost Rider

Marvel fans are currently debating which version of Ghost Rider should appear in the MCU.

Ghost Rider is a popular character in comic book canon. But with several incarnations, it leaves a lot up for debate on which version should appear in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The character has had three major identities since his debut back in 1972.

The first is Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who makes a deal with a demon and gains the ability to transform into a skeletal superhuman covered in flames.

After Johnny Blaze, Marvel introduced two more characters to take up the identity: Danny Ketch in 1990, and Robbie Reyes in 2014.

Take a look at the trailer for the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again.

Now, with the MCU introducing more characters from Marvel’s rogues gallery of heroes and villains, fans are divided over which version of Ghost Rider should appear when he makes his MCU debut.

“Danny Ketch,” wrote one user on Reddit. “It leaves room for a fun flashback period piece with Johnny Blaze in the '70s/80s. It also allows passing the torch to Robbie when the actor's contract is up and viewers are familiar with the lore."

It’s worth noting that Ghost Rider has appeared a few times in live-action before, but they don't appear within the MCU continuity.

He first appeared as Johnny Blaze in two films starring Nicolas Cage, and then a Robbie Reyes version of the character showed up in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..

“For a show that got so much right, it's still hard to believe just how right they got Robbie Reyes.” wrote another.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s place in MCU canon is a little sketchy. The show was originally a spin-off of The Avengers, which resurrected Clark Gregg’s Phil Coulson character.

During the show’s course, events and characters from the films would be periodically referenced.

However, there have been enough inconsistencies between both the show and the wider MCU that its position within the canon is no longer clear.

Therefore, if Ghost Rider makes another live-action debut, it’s likely he’ll be a new character played by a different actor.