Tycoon Actor C465

Because of Lucas’s mischief, fans were left spinning in confusion over what Marvel was actually working on. With Tom Holland jokingly “confirming” he was no longer Spider-Man, and Ryan Reynolds dramatically handing over Deadpool to Lucas, the internet was in chaos. No one knew what was real and what was a troll anymore.

On YouTube, theorists tried to make sense of it all, but even they were falling apart.

"I don't know what to theorize anymore," one exasperated YouTuber said. "Is it Spider-Man? Deadpool? We’ll only know when Marvel finally says something."

“Damn Marvel,” another complained with a laugh. “I’m just trying to make theory videos, and now I’m starting to think the leaks are part of a scheme.”

But one YouTuber stood out, as always — MatPat from The Film Theorists. In his signature editing style, with his image layered onto animated figures and comic panels, he dove deep into the chaos:

“So, the first leaked photos show Lucas Knight and Saoirse Ronan in outfits very reminiscent of Peter Parker and MJ. And I gotta say — they look good together. No offense to Jennifer, I know you’re probably watching,” he joked, with a meme edit of Jennifer’s expression pasted next to him.

“Now,” he continued, “Lucas and Saoirse actually starred together years ago in a short film titled One Minute Time Machine. It had a time-travel plot twist that blew my mind, and it showed they’ve got great chemistry. That alone gives weight to the Peter-and-MJ theory.”

The video then cut to the next leak — a heavily made-up Lucas looking eerily like Wade Wilson.

“Then there’s this leak, with Lucas looking suspiciously like Wade Wilson. Suddenly we’re all, ‘Is he Spider-Man? Is he Deadpool?’ And honestly... yeah, the confusion is real.”

MatPat didn’t stop there.

“Let’s break down the possibilities. Could it be a Spider-Man reboot? Sure. But that would mean either sidelining Tom Holland or creating a multiverse version—maybe a darker take on Parker, considering Lucas’s Joker credentials. But that alone doesn’t explain the Wade Wilson imagery.”

A comic book cover flew into frame.

“What if it’s Spider-Man/Deadpool—yes, that’s a real comic. Marvel’s odd-couple buddy comedy crossover where Peter’s moral compass collides with Wade’s chaos. It’s hilarious. But does Disney have the rights to mash those two under one banner in a solo film? That’s the question.”

Then the possibilities kept rolling.

“Or what if it’s Nova? The cosmic vibes in some of the background shots match the Nova Corps aesthetic. Or maybe Moon Knight? He’s a tortured character—mental health, vengeance, all up Lucas’s alley.”

More edits flashed on screen: Nova helmet, Moon Knight cape, and even Mephisto for good measure.

MatPat's theory video dug even deeper—he referenced several lesser-known Marvel storylines, brought up obscure runs, and even entertained the possibility that it could be Ghost Rider—mentioning both Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch. But in the end, he brushed it aside as a stretch, noting the lack of any flaming motorcycle leaks and the improbability of Disney choosing such a dark property.

He concluded with his signature send-off, “But hey, that’s just a theory. A film theory.”

Despite the scatter of theories and red herrings, the video racked up over three million views in just twenty-four hours.

And although nothing was confirmed, the online speculation began to settle. Many fans now leaned toward Lucas playing Moon Knight… others insisted it had to be Mephisto… and some, surprisingly, circled back to Ghost Rider.

Even the Marvel team was taken aback. They hadn’t expected Ghost Rider to be guessed—especially not Danny Ketch. The leaks were meant to mislead, not hint. With the internet dangerously close to cracking the truth, Marvel decided to halt the fake leaks entirely. One more hint and fans might piece everything together.

---

Meanwhile, the real production moved forward. Three weeks into filming, the shoot reached a pivotal moment: the death of Barbara, played by Saoirse Ronan. Her final scene was an emotional hospital sequence, where her character succumbed to her injuries at the hands of Blackout.

After the take wrapped, Saoirse sat quietly in her trailer, processing the moment. There was a bittersweet weight in her chest—her character’s story had ended, and with it, her time on set.

Then came a knock at the door.

Lucas stepped in with a gentle smile. “You did great out there,” he said warmly. “I’m really glad I got to work with you again.”

Saoirse returned the smile. “Same here. It feels like déjà vu,” she said, her eyes softening with nostalgia. “Like back in 2012... when we shot One-Minute Time Machine. I was just some unknown girl doing indie shorts.”

Lucas laughed lightly. “I remember. That was a fun project.”

She nodded. “That short film changed my life. I didn’t know it then, but after it blew up, I started getting more auditions. Roles. Offers. All because you gave me that chance.”

“I didn’t give you anything,” Lucas said, shaking his head modestly. “You earned it. You had the talent—you just needed that one spotlight.”

“Well, I’m still grateful,” she replied sincerely. “Five thousand dollars for a short film back then was more than the money. It was belief. From someone like you.”

They shared a quiet moment. Then Lucas nodded toward the monitor. “Come on. Let’s watch the playback.”

Together, they joined Scott and the crew at the monitors, reviewing the scene. Saoirse watched in silence, soaking in the final moments of her character. When it ended, she exchanged a few parting words with Scott, then returned to pack her things.

Before leaving, she made sure to say goodbye to every crew member and costar. But she lingered the longest with Lucas.

Though Barbara was only a supporting role—mostly appearing in Danny's memories or lying unconscious—Saoirse had grown close to the team. And through it all, she’d come to know Lucas not just as a crush or acting idol, but as a real colleague. A friend.

Then, with a last wave and a tight smile, she was gone.

Time passed quickly. Weeks blurred together. And by early December… the filming of Ghost Rider was complete.

Lucas and a few of his costars stayed behind at the studio to dub lines and polish up the final scenes. Lucas also recorded two original songs for Ghost Rider’s soundtrack—songs that subtly mirrored Danny Ketch’s emotional journey.

Everything wrapped smoothly, and soon the cast began going their separate ways. Lucas had grown particularly close to Rami Malek during the shoot. They exchanged numbers, followed each other on Twitter, and promised to meet again—though both knew their schedules would make that tough.

Life quickly returned to its usual rhythm. Lucas boarded his private jet back to Los Angeles. After landing at a private terminal, he stepped into a black SUV, joined by his ever-present team: Jack, Simon, and Shawn.

At last, they pulled up to his house.

Lucas walked to the gate, rang the bell, and was soon greeted by Martha, the longtime housekeeper. Her face lit up when she saw him.

“Welcome back, Mr. Knight.”

Lucas nodded and returned the smile, a travel bag slung over his shoulder. “Is Jennifer around?”

“She’s upstairs,” Martha replied, “taking a bath in the master bathroom.”

“A bath?” Lucas raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes.

He dropped his bag in the living room and quietly made his way upstairs, waving off the others with a knowing grin. As he reached the door to the master bath, he engaged the lock with the quiet ease of someone who had clearly mastered the art of sneaking in.

Inside, the bathroom was filled with steam and the soft sound of humming. The tub overflowed with bubbles. Jennifer lay back, eyes closed, completely unaware. But the moment she heard footsteps, her head snapped up.

“Who's there!?” she called sharply. She squinted at the silhouette behind the fogged-up glass door, immediately clutching her chest with one hand and grabbing a bar of soap with the other. “Martha, is that you?”

A low chuckle came from the other side.

Then the door slid open.

“Ah!” Jennifer hurled the soap.

Lucas caught it effortlessly, grinning. “Is this how you greet me now?”

Jennifer blinked in surprise. “Lucas! You—ugh, seriously?” Her embarrassment faded into a flustered glare. “What are you doing sneaking in like that? Can’t a woman have one peaceful bath?”

Lucas only smirked, still fully clothed but clearly energized despite the long weeks of filming. “I’ve been away for months. You think I’d just knock?”

Before she could react, he stepped forward and scooped her up in his arms.

“Hey—!” Jennifer yelped, startled but laughing. “What are you doing?”

“You threw a soap at me,” he said, mock stern. “You need to be punished.”

She blinked at him, then raised an eyebrow, her hands resting on his damp shirt. “Have you been working out or something? You feel... solid.”

Lucas chuckled, standing at the edge as steam curled around them. His body felt stronger—more grounded—thanks to the lingering effects of his simulation as Danny Ketch.

His muscles had subtly thickened, his core tighter and more compact. But he kept the real reason to himself. Without a word, he stepped into the tub while carrying Jennifer in his arms, his clothes soaking through as the hot water embraced them both.

Their laughter echoed through the bathroom, a moment of genuine love and lightness. Afterward, freshly dried and wrapped in robes, they curled up together on the master bed.

“Mmm... it’s good to have you home again,” Jennifer murmured, snuggling closer, taking in his scent. Lucas smiled and tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

“Anyway,” she said, lifting her head, “have you heard the news?”

Lucas blinked. “What news?”

Jennifer sighed playfully, rolling her eyes. “Of course you haven’t. Always the last to know.”

“What is it?” he asked, sensing the shift in her tone.

“It’s about your father...” she said, her voice softening. “After months of legal battles, the court finally sentenced him. He’s supposed to serve a few years, but because he agreed to settle with Warner Bros and handed over key internal communications, they reduced it to one year.”

Lucas’s expression barely changed. “Is that so?”

Jennifer studied his face. “Do you feel anything about it?”

He paused for a moment. “No. Not really.”

She considered probing further, but seeing the calm detachment in his eyes, she let it go.

“So... where do you want to vacation?” she asked, switching gears with a smile. “This time, I’m treating us.”

“Actually,” Lucas said, sitting up slightly, “I’ve got a project with YouTube next week. Rewind shoot.”

“Work again?” Jennifer pouted. “Can’t you ever take a proper break?”

Lucas grinned, brushing his fingers through her hair. “It won’t take long.”

Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. “Netflix message.”

He turned to Jennifer. “Remember our trip to South Korea a while back? The one where we reviewed a bunch of Korean series for Netflix?”

Jennifer nodded. “Yeah. That was for selecting a new original series, right?”

“Yeah,” Lucas said. “They just informed me the one I greenlit—Twinkling Watermelon—is finally out.”

Jennifer’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? Let’s watch it. I’ve been curious ever since we picked it.”

Lucas smiled. “Then let’s grab popcorn. I want to see how it turned out too.”