With all of the upcoming projects in the MCU, many eyes are looking toward the supernatural side of the universe coming to light. One of the most terrifying anti-heroes comes in the form of the Ghost Rider, a character that is oftenassociated with Johnny Blaze. A stuntman who made a deal with the devil, Johnny would become the spirit of vengeance, riding his motorcycle and becoming a demonic skull-faced entity enveloped in hellfire.
While Sony has taken stabs at this character in the past, with Mark Steven Johnson and the duo of Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor taking turns in the director’s chair. While these films would receive middling reviews, theywould become cult classics. But what would happen were a new iteration of the character come into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? With a new vision? Here we will look at why the MCU’s Ghost Rider would be an impressive film under the direction of legendary filmmakerGuillermo del Toro.
History with Depictions of Deities
In dealing with the tale of the Ghost Rider, there are many allusions to religion. Themes of one facing the consequences of the decisions they had throughout their life are ever-present. Johnny Blaze would even hold the ability called the “Penance Stare,” where he would stare into the souls of his victims and inflict upon them the pain they had done unto others.
Guillermo del Toro is known for working on films that feature heavy religious themes from multiple pantheons. One of his most well-known isPan’s Labyrinth(2006), where Del Toro’s vision for the God of the wild has left many with dropped jaws. The creature’s design and movements were specific and unique, with many crediting Del Toro for his respect and devotion to his craft. Seeing how the director would handle the designs of Ghost Rider and his enemies, such as Blackheart, Nightmare, or Mephisto, would be an intriguing aspect of the film.
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Unafraid to Feature Graphic Violence
Previous iterations of Ghost Rider in film have featured violence, but the camera would often look away when it came time for broken bones or excessive blood. In Del Toro’s previous projects, he has shown the ability to embrace a high level of violence, often turning the camera’s focus to the aftermath of such brutal actions.
WithPan’s Labryinth(2006) taking time to focus on the events of the Spanish Civil War, many scenes featured the horrors of war, including a shot of a man getting his fingers shot off. With Ghost Rider, the Spirit of Vengeance may be allowed a longer leash in how he punishes those he deems guilty. Using the many tools at his disposal, such as the motorcycle, chain, and hellfire, Ghost Rider may join the list of Marvel projects to earn an R-rating.
History with Comic Book Anti-Heroes
Anti-Heroes are featured prominently throughout comic-book history. Ghost-Rider’s demonic powers and violent means of punishing evil make it easy to categorize him as such an anti-hero. Guillermo del Toro is nostranger to comic-book adaptations, having helmedBlade II(2002),Hellboy(2004),&Hellboy II: The Golden Army(2008).
WithWesley Snipes' foray as the day-walkerbeing one of the most successful entries in the superhero genre andHellboy(2004) becoming a cult classic that many still claim to be better thanHellboy(2019), Del Toro has significant credentials on his resume. As he’s proven to be adept at adapting some of the more violent and strange members of the comic-book world, Del Toro’s take on Ghost Rider may create another cult classic toadd to his filmography.
Related:Blade: Directors Marvel Should Consider Next
Will Tell a Unique Story
Throughout Guillermo del Toro’s career, something he has never been accused of is being derivative. Throughout the multiple films he has helped craft, Del Toro has always told a unique story that helps to capture the vision he wants to convey. Even when adapting stories from the source material, he adds enough of his own twist, be it in narrative or design, to create something that feels wholly unique.
For Ghost Rider, it would be fascinating to dive into Del Toro’s mind on the behind-the-scenes featurettes, as he details the thought process behind what changes he may have made to tell his story. We could see a difference in how the Ghost Rider comes to make his deal with Mephisto. Perhaps there are visual changesto the film’s villainMephisto, or we could even see characters using Mephisto’s full name of Mephistopheles. There can be a change of setting, turning the film into another of Del Toro’s period pieces. We may not even see Johnny Blaze take the mantle, replacing the iconic character with his counterparts, such as Carter Slade and his steed or the prehistoric Ghost Rider and their wooly mammoth. Either way, we know we can count on Guillermo del Toro to deliver a Ghost Rider film unlike any other.
