Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider, four years after publicly naming the supernatural antihero as the Marvel character he wanted to play.
“This is a character I’ve wanted to play for a long time,” Gosling told the crowd.
The casting follows his 2022 declaration that he wanted Ghost Rider instead of another Marvel role and his confirmation earlier this year that discussions with the studio had taken place.
Levy will direct from a screenplay by Jonathan Tropper, reuniting the team behind the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter. Marvel has announced a 2028 theatrical window but has not revealed a specific release date, supporting cast or which version of Ghost Rider Gosling will play.
Gosling Walked Onto the Hall H Stage After the Logo Reveal
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Feige introduced the project during Marvel’s presentation, bringing Gosling and Levy onto the Hall H stage as the studio confirmed that work had begun on the film. Gosling received a loud response when he appeared beneath the newly revealed Ghost Rider logo.
The actor first identified Ghost Rider as his preferred Marvel role during the 2022 press tour for The Gray Man. After Gosling denied rumors that he had been approached to play Nova, journalist Josh Horowitz said the actor contacted him to clarify that Ghost Rider was the character he actually wanted.
Feige responded publicly at Comic-Con that year, saying he would “love to find a place” for Gosling in the MCU. In March 2026, Gosling confirmed that “some discussions have been had” but described the situation as complicated, according to Variety.
Shawn Levy Signed On After Hearing Gosling’s Ideas
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Levy said the Ghost Rider conversations developed while he and Gosling were making Star Wars: Starfighter. “As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, I was like, ‘Bro, let’s ride,’” the director told the Comic-Con audience.
Tropper, who wrote Starfighter, is also writing the Marvel movie. The project gives the three another major franchise collaboration before their first film together reaches theaters.
Lucasfilm has scheduled Star Wars: Starfighter for May 28, 2027. Gosling leads a cast that includes Flynn Gray, Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman and Daniel Ings.
Levy previously directed Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, which brought Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the MCU. Ghost Rider will be Gosling’s first superhero movie.
Marvel Has Not Named the Ghost Rider Behind the Flames
Marvel’s announcement confirmed Gosling as Ghost Rider but did not identify his character by name. Johnny Blaze remains the best-known incarnation, but the comics have introduced other riders, including Danny Ketch and Robbie Reyes.
Nicolas Cage played Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider and the 2012 follow-up Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna later portrayed Robbie Reyes during the fourth season of ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The 2007 movie also starred Gosling’s longtime partner, Eva Mendes, as reporter Roxanne Simpson, Johnny Blaze’s former girlfriend. The studio has also kept the story, production schedule and place in the wider MCU under wraps.