The season 4 premiere of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will introduce Ghost Rider into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There has been no shortage of build up to the character’s debut with his flaming skull and muscle car featured in almost every promo so far. Robbie Reyes will bring a new dynamic to the show after previously exploring the history of the Inhumans. Now, Ghost Rider will be used as the gateway to the mystical corner of the MCU.

While the inclusion of Ghost Rider is certain to bring excitement towards the series, they are doing so with the least well-known version of the character. However, Robbie is said to be the best fit for the series thanks to the role family plays to his story. Robbie will still be dealing with the normal struggles of other Ghost Rider’s, but as the character is explored, they are ready to open up a new aspect to the universe.

Gabriel Luna has been given the task of bringing the character to life on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and he recently spoke to Collider about his newest role and the opportunities it brings. One of the things that made Luna interested in the role is the orphan background that he has. This is only the beginning of the hardships that Robbie deals with throughout his life, which allows him to be slightly different than other versions of the character.

“Previous incarnations of the character are men who usually have a pretty decent life, to start out. Johnny Blaze is a famous Hollywood stuntman. Danny Ketch is not doing too bad to start with. And then, the Ghost Rider becomes this really heavy curse on them. Robbie is in an inverted position there. He had some hardships early in his life, and the Ghost Rider actually becomes an empowering thing… His control over it is something that slightly differs from the previous characters and previous vessels of the Ghost Rider spirit.”

Even though he has a tougher past than Blaze or Ketch, this upbringing is what helps to make him different. As Luna says, the challenges Reyes has overcome and his positive attitude in the face of adversity gives him the advantage over his other half.

Those involved are clearly excited about what Robbie Reyes can bring to the show and the doors it will open up. For Luna, he is more than willing to be the one to “break the ice” mysticism in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Doctor Strange coming out in just a few months, that will certainly open the floodgates to the stranger stories in the MCU, but until then, it will be Ghost Rider’s story to tell.

“He has more control over these fits than other Ghost Riders have had. It’s basically just the goodness in him, and his duty to his brother and his family, that gives him the strength to be able to keep the cap on and to keep the monster at bay… However out of control he is, when he finally does transform, there’s a lot weighing on his mind. He’s trying to make a compromise with the other guy. If he can’t shake his shadow, he’s gotta compromise in this job he’s given himself. This code that he lives by now is that contract that he’s made with himself.”

After all the talk surrounding the character, it will be great for fans to finally be introduced to Ghost Rider. Hopefully it is the start of a memorable character on the television side. Time will tell whether or not that will be the case, but in the meantime, fans will have to tune in and find out for themselves.

“We’re starting to tow the line and inch towards some ground that hasn’t been covered… What we haven’t touched on are things that can’t be explained perfectly by science. It’s a lot of really fun stuff that starts to lean into the world of Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider and Mephisto, and all of these other elements that also exist there, like ghouls and goblins and all sorts of cool things. We’re happy to be the ones to break the ice on that.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4 premieres Tuesday, September 20 @10pm on ABC.

Source: Collider