Yesterday a new TV spot dropped for Season Agents of SHIELD Season 4 which sees the arrival of Ghost Rider to the Marvel show.
Gabriel Luna (Wicked City, True Detective) takes on the role of Robbie Reyes, who turns into the flaming skulled Ghost Rider, driving a Dodge Charger-esque flaming muscle car. This version of the character first appeared in 2014’s ‘All-New Ghost Rider’, but only lasted 12 issues. Reyes is a high-school student and mechanic. A young man just trying to keep his head down and out of the LA gangs. However, when he sees the prize money up for grabs at a local street race, he sees it as a way to get him, and his disabled brother, into a new life. Unfortunately things go awry, and he is gunned down, only to be saved by a demonic being with a flaming, helmet-like head. He later discovers the spirit has bound itself to his car, and is a man who was gunned down by gang members. Reyes cuts a deal with the spirit and avenge his death if the spirit helps Robbie clean up the neighbourhood.
This is the 2nd major on-screen version of Ghost Rider, the first being Nic Cage’s Johnny Blaze in the films. It’s interesting they have chosen to keep the 2 versions separate meaning they could both technically exist in the MCU.
In light of the Sokovia Accords, and with Hydra obliterated, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been legitimatised again and no longer needs to operate in the shadows. Since the world presumes that Coulson is dead, the organisation needed a new Director (Jason O’Mara) to be the face of the organisation. Coulson finds himself back in the role as an agent and teamed with Mack (Henry Simmons), and together they are tasked with tracking down and confirming the presence of Enhanced people, aka Inhumans. They have been trying to track down and capture Daisy (Chloe Bennet), aka Quake, who has gone rogue in an attempt to atone for sins from the past. But with the world believing that Daisy is a dangerous outlaw who has taken down banks and bridges, the new Director has no qualms about taking her down for good. Agent May (Ming-Na Wen) is tasked with training specialist strike teams, and Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) have taken a big step forward in their relationship. But with Simmons’ new promotion as Special Advisor to the Director in Science and Technology, Fitz, as well as her former team members, finds it hard to confide in or trust her since she’s now the Director’s confidant.
Robbie Reyes (Gabriel Luna) will roar into the lives of Agent Coulson and the team as a junkyard mechanic who can turn on a dime into the terrifying Ghost Rider. Will Robbie be a friend or foe to S.H.I.E.L.D. – as well as the world, itself? Meanwhile, Fitz discovers that socially awkward genius and friend Dr. Radcliffe (John Hannah) has started putting the finishing touches on a new, secret invention.
Agents Of SHIELD should be returning to Channel 4 in the Autumn.
