Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. is back tonight, but if you can’t wait for the later premiere time, actor Gabriel Luna is already chatting about the origins of the newest character on the show: Robbie Reyes, or Ghost Rider. According to Heroic Hollywood, Luna revealed not only details about Ghost Rider’s history, but also how he connects personally with Reyes.
Robbie Reyes Helps Marvel Diversify
Reyes is the latest incarnation of the anti-hero Ghost Rider. Before Reyes, the Rider’s human host was either Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch–both white guys with motorbikes. Reyes steps out of that mold in several ways, not the least of which being his Latino heritage. Reyes also steps away from the bike in favor of a muscle car. We can’t help but imagine a scenario where Coulson tries to fight Ghost Rider while driving Lola.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is just one of many Marvel properties under scrutiny from those of us seeking more diversity in the media. While S.H.I.E.L.D. is on the better end of the diverse spectrum, it is no accident that Reyes was chosen over Blaze and Ketch.
During his interview with Collider, Gabriel Luna, who will play Robbie Reyes on the television show, discussed what he has in common with his character.
“When I read the books by Felipe [Smith] and Tradd [Moore], and all the people who contributed to doing those first 12 issues of the All-New Ghost Rider, the first thing that I identified with was the orphan nature of his upbringing and some of the hardships that he deals with, at a very, very young age. He’s raising his little brother, from the age of 13. There were some striking similarities to my background and my past, and some similar family dynamics.”
Daisy Vs. Vengeance
This season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is supposed to be different than the previous three. Not only do we get the show in a later time slot, but there have been hints of Doctor Strange tie-ins, as well as a break from the typical season arc dealing with Hydra. But details on story and character have been scarce, even as teasers and a sneak peek at episode one rolled out. We know Daisy Johnson (Chloe Bennett) A.K.A. Quake is on the run. We know there’s a new director. We know Fitz and Simmons have finally crossed the event horizon. But how Ghost Rider and Robbie Reyes fit into the whole mess is largely a mystery.
Reyes enters the scene when inhumans are at odds with the rest of the world, the Sokovia Accords have caused the events of Civil War, and, on a smaller scale, Daisy has gone rogue. Unlike his predecessors, Reyes is possessed by a serial killer rather than a demon spirit, and he roams the earth using The Rider to his advantage rather than fearing and loathing him. So is Reyes going to befriend Daisy? Will they team up? And how long will Coulson last under the new Director who, according to creators Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon, will be cracking down on new rules and regulations.
Based on characters from Marvel comics, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was created by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed and Joss Whedon. The show stars Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Ming-Na Wen (Melinda May), Chloe Bennett (Daisy Johnson), Elizabeth Henstridge (Jemma Simmons), Iain de Caestecker (Leo Fitz), Henry Simmons (Mack), and Gabriel Luna (Robbie Reyes).
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season four premieres tonight, September 20th at 10pm on ABC.
