devilish aura?
Johnny Blaze, the future Ghost Rider, felt a jolt at Anton words. Though confused, he quickly dismissed the thought.
He wasn't sure if Anton had noticed anything about him, but the way Anton said it made it seem like a casual compliment.
Yes, from Anton expression, Johnny saw admiration.
devilish aura!Clearly, it was praise for fitting the role.
"I heard the role of Satan was already cast, and it a Hollywood A-lister with tons of fans. If I take on the role, what happens to him?"
The future Ghost Rider tried to suppress his nerves, forcing a smile.
"Wouldn't it disrupt the production?"
"It doesn't matter," Anton said with a wave of his hand, his tone decisive.
"On this set, I'm the boss, and my word is final."
"I'll handle it right away," Jim chimed in.
Even though the actor originally cast as Satan was a Hollywood A-lister, Jim had no intention of persuading Anton to change his decision.
Compared to some so-called A-lister, Anton authority far outweighed anyone else.
In fact, Jim guessed that when the actor learned it was Anton who had vetoed his casting as Satan, he probably wouldn't even demand compensation for the breach of contract.
Anton had reached a level of influence where his decisions were virtually untouchable.
"Wait," Anton suddenly called Jim back, adding,
"I'm not unreasonable. Tell that unlucky guy that for future DC film projects, as long as he fits the role, he'll have first pick."
"Understood," Jim replied, nodding.
This practically guaranteed that the actor wouldn't just forgo the breach penalty but would likely feel deeply grateful to Anton for the opportunity.
After Jim left, Anton tossed Johnny Blaze a copy of the script.
"Your scenes will be shot tomorrow. Go through the script and get familiar with your lines.
I've heard of you, Johnny. You've got some filming experience under your belt, right? If you need anything else, talk to Jim."
With that, Anton turned back to the set.
Johnny Blaze sudden appearance had indeed caught Anton off guard.
But on second thought, Ghost Rider was a canonical Marvel character. The Fantastic Four were already here, so it wasn't surprising that Ghost Rider had shown up too.
Initially, Anton had planned to shoot Hellblazer as a means to deal with the Ancient One.
Now, it seemed that Constantine might have a role to play sooner than expected.
The only problem was that Anton wasn't familiar enough with Johnny Blaze to know how far along the Ghost Rider storyline had progressed.
The key question was whether Johnny had encountered his reporter ex-girlfriend yet.
If he had, it meant the story was about to kick into gear.
Johnny Blaze watched Anton leave, holding the script in his hands with a hesitant expression.
Anton earlier words and his decisive replacement of a Hollywood A-lister to cast Johnny as Satan left a profound impression.
More importantly, Anton wasn't just anyone.
As Batman ally, a formal member of the Justice League, and the director who had unveiled the mysteries of the world with Wonder Woman, Anton was a towering figure in the eyes of many.
Even a casual remark from Anton carried significant weight, forcing people to think deeply about its meaning.
To Johnny Blaze, however, Anton words didn't seem offhand. On the contrary, they felt deliberate, as if he were hinting at something.
"Could it be... do I really look like a demon?"
Johnny fell into contemplation.
His tumultuous teenage years had left him wandering aimlessly.
Though he had now gained some fame, he still felt unmoored, like a drifter in the world.
At its core, the cause was that fateful contract... and that mysterious old man.
"A demon…"
Johnny furrowed his brows, muttering softly, "Could he truly be a demon?"
Deep in thought, he hastily bid farewell to Jim and returned to his residence in Los Angeles.
Once there, with a serious expression, he opened the script and began reading intently.
He felt that perhaps the answers he sought might lie within its pages.
The Next Day.
During the filming of the Satan scenes, Johnny Blaze performance exceeded everyone expectations—everyone but Anton.
"Hello, John."
"I've come to collect your soul personally…"
"Cigarettes suit you, you know. If you cut too deep, you'll sever the tendons, and your fingers won't work anymore."
Johnny Blaze sat in the chair, delivering his lines to the actor playing John Constantine.
In the scene, Constantine lay slumped against a wall, his face calm yet betraying a glimmer of barely contained excitement.
Johnny, meanwhile, embodied the sheer essence of a demon, exuding a manic joy at the prospect of claiming a soul that fascinated him.
This performance left the entire crew in awe.
Many had heard that Anton decided to replace a Hollywood A-lister with Johnny Blaze for the role of Satan just a day before filming.
Initially, they assumed Johnny had somehow curried favor with Anton and figured he'd be a subpar replacement.
But now, seeing his performance, they realized he had undeniable talent.
In fact, he wasn't just on par with the original actor—he was better.
Johnny Blaze brought to life the very essence of a demon. He wasn't just playing Satan he was Satan, especially during the soul-reaping moments.
"Not bad," Anton said, clapping and smiling after the Satan scenes wrapped.
"I told you, Johnny, you're perfect for this role."
"Thank you," Johnny replied.
As the crew guided him to his room to remove his makeup, his manager and longtime friend, Mack, burst in, brimming with excitement.
"Johnny, since when did your acting get this good?" Mack exclaimed.
"I swear, with a performance like that, you're more than just a stuntman—you could be the next Best Actor at the Oscars!"
"Just a lucky shot," Johnny replied modestly.
But deep down, Johnny felt something stir. It wasn't just luck—it was something he couldn't yet define, something connected to Anton words, the script, and his own long-buried past.
Johnny Blaze sat quietly as the makeup artist worked on removing his Satan costume. In the background, Mack persistent chatter filled the air.
"Listen to me, Johnny. We should pivot to movies," Mack said enthusiastically.
"You've already made history in motorcycle stunts—nobody can top what you've done. Movies could be your next big thing."
"He right," the makeup artist chimed in, nodding as he cleaned off the last of the makeup.
"You were amazing out there, Johnny. You've got what it takes to become an Oscar-winning actor."
Johnny shook his head, a modest smile on his face. "I don't have much in the way of acting skills. I just... copied what I've seen others do."
"Copied someone else playing a demon?" Mack raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Who? It not like you've met a real demon or anything."
Johnny stayed quiet.
After the makeup session, Mack noticed his friend lingering around the set.
"Aren't you leaving?"
"You go ahead. I'll stick around for a bit," Johnny replied, his gaze fixed on Anton.
Mack face lit up in realization.
"Ah, I see. Finally getting some sense, huh? You're planning to thank Anton, aren't you? Makes sense—if it weren't for him giving you the role of Satan, breaking into the film industry wouldn't have been this easy."
Johnny chuckled softly but didn't respond.
On set, Anton remained focused, sitting by the camera with a megaphone in hand, his expression serious as he directed the crew.
Johnny attention wandered to the actors performing their scenes.
The events unfolding in the story intertwined with what he'd read in the script, and for reasons he couldn't explain, they brought to mind his own life.
Memories of his recurring nightmare flashed vividly in his mind.
Swish!
Suddenly, Johnny snapped back to reality and locked eyes with Anton.
Anton expression was calm, yet his gaze carried a faint smile. After giving Johnny a subtle nod, Anton turned back to his work, continuing to oversee the production.
Johnny felt a chill run down his spine. Anton knows something.
He spent the entire day waiting, observing the set until filming wrapped late in the evening. Finally, as Anton took a break, Johnny seized the opportunity to approach him.
Others on the set noticed and exchanged knowing glances.
"No wonder he got the role of Satan. The guy talented and knows how to butter up the boss."
Johnny ignored their stares. His voice trembled slightly, tinged with urgency and hope. "Mr. Jameson, I need to ask you something."
Anton raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised. "I know. Come with me."
Anton led Johnny to his private room, where he poured two glasses of whiskey. Handing one to Johnny, Anton took a seat and gestured for him to speak.
"Go on, I'm listening."
Johnny hesitated for a moment, gripping his glass tightly.
"When we first met, you said I was perfect for playing Satan—that I had a 'devilish aura.'"
He paused, then took a deep breath and asked, "Did you see something in me?"
Anton interest piqued. "What do you think I saw?"
Johnny clenched his jaw, finally spitting out the words. "That I made a deal with the devil. When I was a teenager, I signed a contract with... something.
I don't know if it was real or not, but for years, I've been haunted by a recurring nightmare. It feels like... all of this has been orchestrated."
Anton leaned back, swirling his drink. "Well, you're right. What do you make of that?"
"I…" Johnny faltered, his thoughts jumbled.
What could he say? Shock?
Not really. Deep down, he had long accepted this truth. Anton confirmation merely solidified what he already suspected.
"Johnny," Anton said calmly,
"before I met you, I had my doubts about whether demons truly existed in this world."
Anton tone turned firm. "After meeting you, I no longer have those doubts."
"So, you don't know much about it either," Johnny said, exhaling deeply, feeling a strange sense of relief.
"No," Anton replied, his gaze sharp. "I know a lot."
Johnny froze, the room suddenly feeling heavier. Anton calm confidence suggested he wasn't bluffing.
"What do you want to know, Johnny?" Anton continued.
"Because if you're ready to hear it, I can help you find the answers you're looking for."
Anton leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but laced with a gravity that made Johnny Blaze hang on every word.
"For example, the identity of the demon you made your deal with, and your current predicament."
Johnny put his glass down, his piercing gaze fixed on Anton. He knew the man wasn't finished speaking yet.
"That demon name is Mephisto," Anton continued.
"And you... you're his chosen one. People like you usually have a very cool title: Ghost Rider."
"Ghost Rider?" Johnny forced a smile. "Sounds like a superhero name."
"It more of a curse," Anton clarified.
"You'll gain immense power because of it, but you'll also become a puppet, Mephisto strongest weapon.
And your soul? It already his, ever since the day you signed that contract."
Johnny fell silent.
Anton didn't elaborate on the powers of the Ghost Rider, but his words had already unlocked a flood of memories for Johnny.
Piecing together everything he'd experienced, Johnny quickly realized that Anton was right. His soul was no longer his own.
"What should I do?" Johnny asked, his voice heavy.
"How can I fight back? How do I escape this demon?"
"You can't," Anton said bluntly, shaking his head.
"You signed the contract. Your soul belongs to Mephisto, and there no way to escape his control. But until the day you die, you're still Johnny Blaze."
Johnny froze, staring blankly for a long moment before a flicker of despair crossed his face.
"But…" Anton next words drew Johnny full attention.
"You need to understand this: before you fully become the Ghost Rider, you'll still have your freedom.
Once you do transform, however, Mephisto will never take his eyes off you… not until he truly owns your soul. It'll be like Constantine in the stories."
"Constantine…" Johnny eyes lit up as if grasping at a lifeline.
"John Constantine is real, isn't he? Can I meet him?"
"Not yet," Anton replied, shaking his head regretfully. Then, suddenly, he changed the subject.
"Forgive me for asking, but… do you have a girlfriend? Or maybe someone you're interested in?"
Johnny blinked in confusion. "No. Why?"
Anton serious expression made the hairs on the back of Johnny neck stand on end. A chill ran through him as he widened his eyes.
"I—I'm not into men!" Johnny blurted. "Even if I'm possessed by a demon, I wouldn't be interested in you!"
"Spit!" Anton almost choked on his drink, glaring at Johnny.
"Hell no! That not what I meant!"
Gritting his teeth, he added, "What I meant is, as long as you haven't met someone who becomes the focus of your every waking thought, you're safe."
"Huh?" Johnny looked bewildered.
"What do you mean by omeone I can't stop thinking about'?"
"You'll know when it happens," Anton said with a dismissive wave.
"That all I can say for now. Knowing too much might end up affecting reality."
"So what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" Johnny asked, frustration seeping into his voice.
"Even if I have to die, I don't want my soul being toyed with by a demon."
"Just live your life," Anton replied.
"And when you meet that person you can't stop thinking about, call me. I'll do my best to help you figure something out."
"Can't you just tell me more?" Johnny pressed.
"Nope," Anton said with a shrug.
"Relax. Right now, you're safe. Even if Mephisto wanted to claim your soul this instant, he'd be bound by the terms of your contract.
Besides, this world isn't as simple as you think. Even demons like him can't just show up and wreak havoc whenever they feel like it."
Johnny let out a long sigh. "Fine…"
Johnny Blaze left the set with a heavy heart, burdened by the unease Anton revelations had stirred.
Anton watched him disappear into the distance, his thoughts drifting toward the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One.
In the grand scheme of the universe, even someone as powerful as the Ancient One couldn't fully control every thread of fate.
If they could, Mephisto avatar would never have descended from the Hell Dimension to Earth to forge a contract with Johnny Blaze, creating the Ghost Rider.
Of course, there might be deeper secrets behind this.
For now, all Anton could do was hope that Constantine would release soon and that Mephisto wouldn't make his next move until at least a month later.
If that timeline held, Anton would have enough time to deploy a fragment of Constantine persona to assist Johnny Blaze when the need arose.
However, if Mephisto targeted Johnny before Constantine became a factor, Anton only choice would be to guide Johnny toward Kamar-Taj to seek out the Ancient One.
One thing was certain—Anton wanted to avoid entanglements with the Ancient One unless absolutely necessary.
"Just my luck," Anton thought, shaking his head.
"Let hope things don't spiral out of control too soon."