Marvel Studios came out swinging at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend with a wave of casting announcements — and one of the biggest is Ryan Gosling stepping into the role of the new Ghost Rider.
The 45-year-old actor, a three-time Oscar nominee known for Drive, Barbie, La La Land, and this year’s Project Hail Mary, will headline Marvel’s standalone Ghost Rider film, set for release in 2028. Taking the stage to roaring applause, Gosling admitted the role was one he’d wanted to play for a long time.
The project reunites Gosling with director Shawn Levy and writer Jonathan Tropper, following their collaboration on Star Wars: Starfighter. Levy — who also directed Deadpool & Wolverine — told the crowd the moment felt almost like déjà vu, having stood on that same stage two years earlier unveiling that film. He spoke glowingly about Gosling, calling him “just incredible,” and explained that after spending the past year together shooting Starfighter, the decision to team up again came together the moment Gosling started describing the character. Levy confirmed the film is targeting a 2028 release.
Nicolas Cage originally played stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider, reprising the role in the 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. In an interesting twist, Gosling’s real-life partner Eva Mendes appeared in the first film as Roxanne Simpson but didn’t return for the sequel — whether she’ll factor into this new iteration remains unclear.
Elsewhere at the panel, 49-year-old Ryan Reynolds set off his own wave of speculation after he was spotted in the audience dressed as the X-Force version of Deadpool from the comics — right as the cast of Avengers: Doomsday was being unveiled on stage. Reynolds hasn’t been officially attached to that film, and he brushed off questions by joking his name was “Ricky” and that he was just “really committed” to his cosplay. Naturally, that only fueled further speculation about a possible Deadpool appearance in Marvel’s next big blockbuster.