Agents Of SHIELD: Gabriel Luna Teases Ghost Rider Origin, Team Coulson Encounter

Agents of SHIELD is definitely keeping Marvel fans' attention with its new, darker, Ghost Rider storyline in season 4, and probably the biggest beneficiary of that success has been Ghost Rider actor Gabriel Luna. Luna is already a bonafide star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he's been on a non-stop press tour to promote the show and his character, a newer incarnation of Ghost Rider, Robbie Reyes.

In fourth episode of the season, "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire" we will see Ghost Rider finally get the attention of Phil Coulson and his SHIELD. squad. We've already gotten a sweet taste of the drag race chase scene between Ghost Rider and Coluson's hot rod cars, and today we have more from Luna about that first turbulent meeting between SHIELD and The Rider - as well as some hints about a possible origin story involving a particular Marvel villain.

Video Clip: Coulson's Lola vs Ghost Rider's Lucy

About the meeting of Ghost Rider and Coulson, Luna says that it's an inevitable collision course, because, "They can't turn a blind eye for too long. When you have someone as powerful as the Ghost Rider out there, eventually Agent Coulson and the team are gonna have to step in."

So how will it go when Coulson comes face to (burning) face with the supernatural? It does need to be remembered that there is another supernatural threat out there (the ghosts), who hold the supernatural equivalent of an A-bomb in their incorporeal hands: The Darkhold.

So, if the bad guys have a Darkhold, what do the good guys have to fight it? According to Luna, they have The Rider: "Phil Coulson's a smart guy, and when you've discovered a secret weapon that can do something like that, perhaps you might want to incorporate it into your plans," Luna hints. "We'll have to wait and see if it does indeed happen, but Ghost Rider ain't afraid of no ghosts."

As for the MCU Ghost Rider's origin story? Well, Luna has the usual Marvel media training answer to any probing questions ("It would be a shame if we found out just through a bunch of people yapping about it... So, why not see it?").

However, the interview pointed out that Ghost Rider are getting pretty cozy (not in that way), and that in Marvel comics, their characters share a connection in Mr. Hyde. ""It's kind of neat that we're these two branches of the same weird family tree," Luna said, referring to the connection. "I think that's really cool, and I can't wait for everyone to see how the rest of the story plays out."

In the comics, Hyde built a criminal empire in LA and eventually ran into Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider. That battle results in the turn that makes Ghost Rider a true hero in the eyes of local residents.

Last we saw of Kyle Maclachlan's Mr. Hyde, he had his mind wiped of his past evil deeds and torments, and began a new life as a compassionate veterinarian. That's all to say: Mr. Calvin Zabo is still a player on the board, if needed - and it would be a cool nod to the comics if he turned out to somehow be involved in the unfolding plot, creating all sorts of new complications for Robbie and Daisy (not to mention SHIELD).

Agents of SHIELD airs episode 4 "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire" Tuesday 10/18 @ 10/9c on ABC.