Norman Reedus sounds like he is finally done with The Walking Dead, and the obvious story is the end of Daryl Dixon.
The more interesting one is what this could free him up to do next.
Reedus has been the fan-favorite pick to play Marvel’s Ghost Rider for years. Now, with The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon wrapping its final season, the door looks a little more open than it did before.
Reedus Says It Hits Different This Time
AMC already confirmed The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is ending with its fourth and final season, and Reedus is now posting like a man who knows the ride is over.
In a new Instagram post, Reedus shared behind-the-scenes photos from the final episode and wrote:
“Finally going through these photos to check off from the last episode now that I’m back from Mongolia it was really hard to kill any of them. I didn’t post any of those here, but I can’t wait for people to see this show the crew best I’ve ever worked with the feeling of accomplishment when it was over was just amazing. Such hard work and I so much hart put into this I think you’re gonna feel it. It was a special season. I can’t wait for you to see it. It hits just way different this time.”
The news is being picked up everywhere as Reedus says goodbye to Daryl Dixon. And for Marvel fans, that brings the same question back around: is this finally when Ghost Rider happens in the MCU?
Marvel Fans Know Where This Goes
Reedus has been tied to Ghost Rider fan-casting for years, and this has never been one of those random internet picks with no connection. The guy has openly wanted the part.
Back in 2016, Reedus said “F’ yeah” to playing Marvel’s Ghost Rider.
“Hell yeah. It would be a blast,” Reedus said about potentially playing Marvel’s Spirit of Vengeance. “Do I get a skull face that’s on fire and all that stuff? F–k yeah. I’m down.”
Years later, he was still saying the same thing. In 2021, Reedus said he still wanted to play Ghost Rider for Marvel.
“That would be great. So, I don’t know, call somebody, make that happen. I want to do it,” Reedus said, adding, “I want a fire skull. I want my face to turn into a fire skull and whip a chain around. That would be great.”
He also happens to be a motorcycle guy, which never hurt the fan-cast. Reedus previously starred in AMC’s Ride with Norman Reedus, and he has long had the exact vibe fans picture for Johnny Blaze or Dan Ketch.
The Ghost Rider Rumors Are Still There
To be clear: this is speculation. Marvel has not announced Ghost Rider for the MCU. Reedus has not been cast. There is no confirmation that he is in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
But Ghost Rider has been circling Marvel rumors for years. It’s even been said Kevin Feige wants him, too.
We previously covered rumors that Ghost Rider was being eyed for the MCU, that Marvel may have cast the character, and that Reedus was unsure about the role but keeping the door open.
Last year, the rumor mill claimed a Ghost Rider casting search was underway for Avengers: Doomsday. We pointed out that Reedus remains the overwhelming fan-favorite pick, while Ryan Gosling has also been floated.
Marvel TV boss Brad Winderbaum has also said he would like to use the Dan Ketch version of the character: “I would wanna do the Danny Ketch era of Ghost Rider. I think there are a lot of people who would be here for some Ghost Rider.”
Dan Ketch is the version a lot of longtime Marvel fans want to see, especially if Marvel finally builds out its supernatural corner with Ghost Rider, Blade, Moon Knight, and the Midnight Sons.
The Latest Noise Is Messy
The latest Ghost Rider talk is not clean, which is usually how these things go.
Ryan Gosling recently said he has had “some discussions” with Marvel about playing Ghost Rider, adding, “It’s a complicated situation.”
Another rumor then claimed that Ghost Rider may not currently be in Avengers: Doomsday, after Marvel had reportedly considered introducing him there.
So again, no one should take Reedus wrapping The Walking Dead as proof of anything. It is not a casting announcement. It is not a Marvel tease. It is not confirmation.
It could be timing, though. And the timing is why fans are going to talk.
Reedus’ Schedule Suddenly Looks Wide Open
Reedus does not appear to have a packed upcoming slate. His IMDb page currently lists only three upcoming projects, with two already completed.
The one major live-action question mark is The Boondock Saints III, which has been floating around for years and still does not look like something that would obviously block him from Marvel right now.
Avengers: Secret Wars isn’t some far-off hypothetical anymore. The Russo Brothers have confirmed the film is already in pre-production, with Joe Russo saying they’ll wrap Doomsday work in November before shifting fully over and filming is expected to start this summer.
If Marvel is going to use Ghost Rider in the multiverse endgame, or set him up coming out of it, this is the window where schedules would have to line up.
Again, that does not mean Reedus has the role. But it does mean the timing is cleaner than it has been in years.
Hey, You Never Know
Marvel officially has Avengers: Doomsday set for December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.
If the MCU is going to bring in Ghost Rider during the Multiverse Saga, or immediately after it, this is the window where those decisions would be happening.
Marvel could go with Gosling. It could bring back Nicolas Cage for multiverse fan service. It could use Dan Ketch, Johnny Blaze, Robbie Reyes, or shelve the whole thing again.
But Reedus is free, or at least a lot closer to free than he was before.
That does not mean he is Ghost Rider. It does mean the old fan dream suddenly looks a little less impossible.
