Although fan-casting can often feel like an exercise in self-indulgence, sometimes, fans come up with the perfect line-up for a hypothetical film or TV show. A prime example is Redditor Zodosechaine's idea for a Marvel Cinematic Universe Ghost Rider movie: The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus as the Spirit of Vengeance, with Guillermo del Toro directing.

Casting Reedus as Johnny Blaze is arguably a safe choice, but it also makes so much sense that Marvel Studios should strongly consider it. Reedus is one of the most popular parts of the still wildly successful AMC Walking Dead series, having achieved more fame through his role as Daryl than at any prior point in his career. Plus, Daryl's propensity for motorcycles makes it even easier to imagine Reedus as Ghost Rider.

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Ghost Rider has never successfully been adapted for film, though the MCU has continuously proven its mettle as a superhero franchise. It's highly unlikely Nicolas Cage's spin as the character will be referenced or brought into MCU continuity, so it's time to cast someone new.

Although it would be great to see Robbie Reyes on the big screen as Ghost Rider, that seems unlikely. This version of Ghost Rider appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where a flashback heavily suggested Johnny Blaze gave him his powers. Given the heretofore ambivalence for the movies to reference anything in any of the Marvel TV shows, Marvel would likely continue said trend by ignoring Reyes and focusing on the much more popular Johnny Cage.

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Having Reedus play Blaze would be excellent enough, but adding the mind-blowing talent of del Toro to the MCU would guarantee spectacle and beauty. Del Toro is known for eschewing CGI and other types of modern film conveniences in his movies where possible, using as many practical effects as he can. This resulted in the endearingly creepy Hellboy movies and the even more macabre Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. These films are all able to evoke a sense of horror and otherworldly wonder, making paranormal elements stand out in a far more immersive way than in many straight horror movies.

Del Toro could use these talents to make a Ghost Rider film that's much less of a generic blockbuster and more of a Gothic, weird Western. Del Toro has, to be fair, expressed disinterest in making more comic book movies, namely superhero ones, in favor of focusing on monsters. However, though Ghost Rider is a Marvel character, his role as a monstrous anti-hero would definitely set him apart from the likes of Iron Man and Spider-Man -- so maybe there's hope.

The MCU has not had anything of this creative level yet -- not even the supposedly trippy Doctor Strange. Sticking so rigidly to a cookie-cutter formula is one of the MCU's biggest criticisms, so bringing a director on board who's sure to make an innovative movie would help to curtail that reputation. This is especially needed for Ghost Rider, whose only two film adaptations were poorly done at best.

A dream team like Reedus and del Toro would easily raise Ghost Rider's profile. This fan-casting could be a recipe to make him the MCU's scariest and most creative hero yet.

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