There has been a lot of interest in the shows coming to Disney+ when the service launches, hopefully filling the void caused by Netflix’s cancellation of its Marvel shows (Daredevil, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Punisher). But there is a development on another streaming service: Hulu. Marvel TV and ABC Signature Studios will be producing two new series for Hulu: Ghost Rider and Helstrom. Both live-action series should debut sometime in 2020. Hulu is also the home of Marvel’s Runaways series, which is getting a third season. Disney owns 60% of the streaming service following its purchase of Fox and has been in talks to acquire the remainder from Comcast.
Ghost Rider has previously been featured in two Nicolas Cage movies in which the character Johnny Blaze transformed into Ghost Rider. The Hulu series will feature the Robbie Reyes version of Ghost Rider that appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Gabriel Luna confirmed on Twitter that he will reprise his Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. character, saying “It’s an honor to ride again with @Marvel and our new partner @Hulu!” A report in Variety indicates that this will be a new iteration of Ghost Rider and not a spin-off of the Agents of SHIELD character. Ghost Rider is the spirit of vengeance, a demon bound to its human host that punishes those who harm the innocent. Luna will be appearing in the upcoming Terminator 6 film.
Ingrid Escajeda will be the showrunner and an executive producer on Ghost Rider. “I couldn’t be more excited and honored to be handed the reins to a Marvel character as beloved as Ghost Rider. This story hits every note for me: My love for grounded yet conflicted characters, and my desire to scare the shit out of people,” Escajeda said. Paul Zbyszewski and Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb will also be executive producers.
Helstrom features Daimon and Ana Helstrom, children of a mysterious and powerful serial killer. The duo hunts down the worst of humanity using their own unique skill sets. In the comics, Daimon Hellstrom was the son of Satan and could travel between Earth and Hell. He also had demonic powers due to his lineage. His sister in the comics was named Satana. Daimon Hellstrom first appeared in Ghost Rider #1 (1973) and has also gone by the name Hellstorm. He has been a member of the Defenders with Dr. Strange. “As a lifelong Marvel fan, I feel incredibly fortunate to help bring this darker, thrilling corner of the comic book universe to life,” Paul Zbyszewski, Helstrom executive producer and showrunner has said. “Marvel’s known for all the heart, humor, and action they put into every series, but this time around we’re adding some scares to that mix. I think we’ve found a compelling way to dissect some of our deepest fears through the experiences of our two lead characters.”
Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb said in a statement, “Paul and Ingrid are crafting gripping adventures into fear that live in our ‘Spirits of Vengeance’ cornerstone.” Since both Helstrom and Ghost Rider will take place in the same “world” a crossover event is possible. Neither series is expected to crossover with the MCU, although they will occupy the same “world.”
Hulu will also have a number of Marvel adult animated series: M.O.D.O.K., Hit-Monkey, Tigra&Dazzler Show, and Howard The Duck. It looked like Howard had an Easter egg-type moment in Endgame in a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance in the background. The animated series will combine in a crossover event called Marvel’s Offenders.
