Johnny Depp Almost Joined Marvel's $378M Franchise, Lost Role to Drive Angry Star

Johnny Depp is one of the most prominent Hollywood actors of the last 20 years. He has always captivated viewers with his ability to transform into different characters and become unrecognizable.

However, one role that the actor was very interested in, he never got.

Johnny Depp could play Johnny Blaze, known as Ghost Rider. Not only the actor himself was interested in the role, but the filmmakers also saw Depp as the main character. In 2000 everything was ready for a new movie with a budget of $75 million and Depp as the main lead.

However, after some time the project was cancelled and the actor lost the opportunity to play in the film adaptation of the comic.

When Ghost Rider was put back into development, Johnny was no longer available to star in it – the actor was busy filming the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Instead, Nicolas Cage was cast as the supernatural motorcyclist.

At that point, the actor had not yet starred in so many bad movies, and 2007's Ghost Rider is still considered one of the actor's best roles.

According to the plot, the father of the protagonist is a stuntman who performs the most difficult and dangerous motorcycle stunts.

However, he fell ill with cancer, and when someone in a hood appeared to Johnny and offered him a deal, to cure his father in exchange for his soul, the son did not hesitate and agreed.

The next day, dad happily announced that at the medical examination, the doctors found no trace of the disease, and within hours he died, performing a literally deadly stunt.

But the terms of the bargain were honored – a few years later, Johnny had to answer for his long-standing, careless promises to Mephistopheles.

At night, Johnny Blaze ceases to be Johnny Blaze – he becomes a Ghost Rider, performing a number of righteous deeds along the way. Mephistopheles needs a rider to deal with Blackheart, the son of the Lord of Darkness, who is plotting to overthrow his father.