Ghost Rider (Marvel Film Universe)

Theatrical release poster

Kevin Feige

***Ghost Rider*** is a supernatural horror action film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is a reboot of the Ghost Rider film series and is the fourteenth entry in the Marvel Film Universe. Directed by Len Wiseman, it stars Norman Reedus as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, alongside Luke Evans, Kate Beckinsale, Paul Walter Hauser, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and John Travolta. In the film, Johnny Blaze, having been cursed as Ghost Rider for over 30 years, is offered a chance to escape Hell by hunting down a rouge demon. His mission is complicated by a psychopathic angel assassin and cheerful albeit twisted tracker demon.

*Ghost Rider* began development in 2012 as a sequel to *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance* but became a new project when the filmmakers decided not to produce the film and film rights to *Ghost Rider* reverted to Marvel Studios in 2013. Development on the film began in 2015 after the success of *Blade* (2014) and Reedus, who is a known motorcycle enthusiast, was the only choice for the lead role. After a short period of development hell which numerous directors joined and depart the project, Wiseman was hired as the film's director in October 2021. The film's story adapts the 2005 miniseries "*Road to Damnation*" by Garth Ennis and Clayton Crain. Principal photography took place from August to November 2022 in Dallas and other areas in Texas. The film used minimal computer generated imagery with much of it being used for Ghost Rider's appearance, making use of traditional stunts and practical effects, with creature designs being handled by Stan Winston Studios.

*Ghost Rider* was released theatrically on June 16, 2023 and recieved critical acclaim from critics who praised its screenplay, direction, visual effects, horror atmosphere, and performances (particularly Reedus and Hauser), with many deeming it superior to previous adaptations of the character. Grossing $220 million worldwide, it became the 2nd highest-grossing R-rated film of 2023 behind *John Wick: Chapter 4* *– Hakagure* (2023) and has been called one of the best films of the year. A television miniseries, *Ghost Rider*, which is set after the film is scheduled to premiere on Hulu in 2024.

## Plot

In 2006, two angels Malachi and Daniel stand atop a skyscraper discussing their current predicament of a rouge demon named Kazann escaping Hell. Daniel informs Malachi that both Heaven and Hell have sent hunter to track Kazann down. Daniel suggests that it'd better for them to have a pawn of their own capture Kazann before telling Malachi of Johnny Blaze. He explains that 30 years prior Blaze made a deal with Lucifer to save the life of his mentor Crash Simpson which resulted in him becoming the cursed Ghost Rider, who is currently condemned to Hell. Divulging that Kazann harbors a particular secret that can threaten his status in Heaven, Malachi hatches plan use Johnny to capture Kazann and hide his crimes against Heaven. Daniel agrees with much reluctance and the two initiate their plan. Meanwhile in Texas, the stoic archangel Ruth boards a Greyhound after forcing a child who can see her wings to blind himself with a pencil.

In Hell, Johnny Blaze attempts to race to the Gates of Hell in a desperate escape but is caught a legion of demons and painfully ripped apart, despite his demonic powers. Doomed to repeat this cycle forever, Blaze remains persistent in his attempts to abscond. Back on Earth in Texas, the portly and slovenly tracker Hoss follows the trail of Kazann, en route to Dallas where he murders a group of bikers, resurrecting one to be his minion whom he calls "Asshat", in reference to the crude appearance of his mangled body. In Dallas, quadriplegic oil magnate Earl Gustav takes a meeting with his loyal assistant Jemima Catamint and his board of directors in which he fires them all during an angry outburst, owed to his disgust and bitterness over his physical condition due to a drunk driving incident that he caused. Fuming with frustration, he retreats a private sanctum in his office which is actually chamber for occult rituals. Using the chamber, he contacts the demon Kazann whom he addresses as "Lord". Kazann promises Gustav perfect physical health and use of his ilmbs for his service before requesting that he aid him in gaining a physical body. Gustav acquieses and has Catamint invite the board into his office with the promise of reinstatement and a raise. The board of directors are then brutally killed by an unseen force and their remains become a crude mass of flesh that Kazann uses as a vessel. In Hell, Johnny Blaze makes another escape attempt where he is visited by Malachi who offers him a deal to escape Hell, promising him freedom from both damnation and the curse of Ghost Rider. Although hesitant, Johnny agrees and Malachi warns him of both Ruth and Hoss before freeing him from Hell.

Free from Hell, Johnny finds himself in Texas and begins following the trail of Kazann, who is easier to track now that he has a corporeal form. On the road, Johnny crosses paths with Hoss who he recognizes as one of Hell's top hunters and a fight ensues with Johnny uses the Rider's power to defend himself. As Hoss and Johnny fight, Ruth intervenes in their battle, mercilessly sacrificing the passengers of the Greyhound to incapacitate Hoss and Johnny, to the latter's horror. She then steals Johnny's bike and flees, who reluctantly allies with Hoss after the latter reveals he doesn't which one of them catches Kazann as long as it isn't Ruth. Elsewhere in Arkansas, a preacher named Father Adam hears a demonic voice while giving a sermon. The voice tells him that it is time for him to serve as penance for his transgressions, informing him that Ghost Rider is his target. He then departs the church in haste but not before blowing it up with a bomb, killing his entire parish. Back in Dallas at Gustav Petroleum, Kazann reminds Gustav that he will recieve his "gifts" once their work is finished. He is then led to a chamber where Catamint, at the instruction of Gustav, has repurposed a petroleum drill with sigils of Infernal Caligraphy intended to drill into Hell and unleash an army of demons. Kazann informs Gustav that there will be forces that intend to stop and he then assembles an army of hired mercenaries and paramilitary troops. Meanwhile, Father Adam rides an Amtrak to Dallas where he begrudgingly converses with an older passenger, revealing his past as an Army Ranger and forcing him to reflect on his own deal with Lucifer.

In Dallas, Johnny and Hoss head for Gustav Petroleum while discussing who Kazann is and why he is so important. Hoss reveals that Kazann was denied appointment as a Lord of Hell despite always possessing vital information on Heaven's activities, having amassed a strong following among lower level demons who look to him as a leader. He further explains that Kazann's radical views could threat both the balance and Mephsito's power which is why he must sent back to Hell. At Gustav Petroleum, Ruth arrives on Johnny's bike and begins lethally engaging the mercenaries, killing them with ease. Inside, Gustav, Kazann, and a reluctant Catamint drill into the Earth, with the Infernal Calligraphy allowing the drill to pass through the spirit barrier into a specific corner of Hell, unleashing a massive horde of demons loyal to Kazann. Malachi and Daniel, who are watching from the Moon, remark on the potential dangers of Malachi's plan failing. Daniel then looks upon Father Adam who has arrived in Dallas. Johnny and Hoss arrive at Gustav Petroleum refinery where Hoss gives Johnny a sawed-off shotgun as a show of trust before the two engage the horde. Meanwhile inside the refinery, Kazann tells Gustav now that the portal is open, only they can close it. While Kazann observes the carnage brought the demons, Catamint privately confides in Gustav, expressing her remorse and guilt over causing a demonic apocalypse but he callously dismisses her. As Johnny battles through the demons, he discovers his bike before being attacked by Ruth. Hoss intervenes, with Johnny urging him to hold her off while he faces Kazann. Boarding his bike, Johnny ascends the refinery's tower where he finds Kazann, Catamint, and Gustav. Kazann begins taunting Johnny, telling him that Malachi has been lying to him every step of the way. While the two converse, Father Adam assembles in a crane overlooking the tower where he attempts to kill Ghost Rider with his sniper rifle whose bullets are drenched in holy water. He fires but misses allowing Johnny to return fire with his shotgun, channeling hellfire through it, which scorches and destroys the crane. Johnny then engages Kazann, who in the midst of their fight, reveals that he and Malachi are brothers. Johnny dismisses it as a lie and attacks him further, causing the two plummet from the tower in a fall that destroys Kazann's vessel, revealing his true angelic appearance. Atop the tower, a distraught Catamint holds Gustav's wheelchair over the edge, forcing him to utter the spell to close the portal which he does. Below, Johnny uses his chains to hold Kazann, still believing that capturing him will free him from damnation. As the portal closes, the demon horde is pulled back into Hell along with Kazann who curses both Catamint and Johnny. Catamint attempts to pull Gustav's chair back from the edge but Ruth appears behind her and shouts "Boo", causing her to drop Gustav into the hellish portal below. Johnny watches as the portal closes, reverting back to his human form. He is then shot in the head by a fatally wounded Father Adam, who collapses from his burns and the two seemingly die.

Father Adam is awakened by God, who tells him that his sins were forgiven before it is revealed to be a deception by Hoss, who gleefully reveals he is in Hell before scorching his flesh again. Elsewhere in Hell, Johnny awakens in his rider form near his bike where he is greeted by Malachi who arrogantly reveals that he used Johnny as a pawn. He is then ambushed by Ruth who tears his wings off, rendering him mortal before brutally killing him, trapping his soul in Hell. Hoss then appears, revealing an alliance between him and Ruth, telling Johnny that Kazann was once the angel Micah. He further divulges that Malachi and Kazann had been secretly plotting together since Lucifer's rebellion, adding that he knew Malachi couldn't resisting gloating which is how he and Ruth caught him. Betrayed, Johnny admonishes both Ruth and Hoss, with the latter offering him the chance to torture Malachi as payback. Hoss then apologizes for not having the power to free Johnny from Hell himself before departing to the Gates with Ruth. Johnny then realizes that he still has the shotgun Hoss gave him and makes another attempt to escape Hell, racing off on his bike with more confidence than before.

In a post-credits scene, which occurs in 2024, Black Panther meets with Blade informing of the events that happened at the Gustav refinery nearly 20 years earlier before telling him that he thinks something escaped from Hell.

## Cast

* Norman Reedus as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
* Luke Evans as Malachi
* Kate Beckinsale as Ruth
* Paul Walter Hauser as Hoss
* Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Jemima Catamint
* John Travolta as Earl Gustav
* Y'lan Noel as Father Adam
* Michael Sheen as Daniel
* Tony Todd as the voice of Kazann