Gosling's Ghost Rider Confirmed
Ryan Gosling Confirmed As Ghost Rider; Shawn Levy Directing 2028 Marvel Film
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Ryan Gosling is officially Marvel's new Ghost Rider. Marvel confirmed the casting at San Diego Comic-Con's Hall H panel, with Shawn Levy set to direct and a 2028 release date locked in. Gosling walked out to a crowd of fans wearing Doctor Doom masks, turning what had been a rumored leak into a full Marvel Studios announcement.
Gosling will play Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider, according to Consequence. The news comes nearly two years after Gosling publicly said he wanted the role while promoting his 2024 film The Fall Guy — making this one of Hollywood's more unusual wish-fulfillment stories.
Gosling and Levy Already Teamed Up for Star Wars
This is not the first time Gosling and Levy have joined forces. The two are already working together on Star Wars: Starfighter, a film currently in development. Cosmic Book News reports that Gosling is deeply involved in that project — described as similar to how Ryan Reynolds shaped the Deadpool films for Marvel.
Levy previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios, the 2024 team-up film that broke box office records. His history with Marvel and his existing partnership with Gosling made him a natural fit to helm the Ghost Rider reboot, according to Y105 Music.
Ghost Rider Slots Into Marvel's Post-Secret Wars Universe
The 2028 release date places Ghost Rider firmly in Marvel's next big chapter. Cosmic Book News notes the character already appears in plot leaks tied to Avengers: Doomsday, suggesting he will play a role in the post-Secret Wars MCU. Secret Wars is expected to be Marvel's next massive crossover event, similar to Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige joined Gosling on stage for the Hall H announcement, according to Gizmodo. The panel appearance signals how seriously Marvel is positioning Ghost Rider — not as a side project, but as a key piece of its long-term plans.
Two Years From Wish to Reality for Gosling
Back in 2024, Gosling mentioned Ghost Rider unprompted during press tours for The Fall Guy. He said it was a role he genuinely wanted. At the time, no deal was in place. Consequence reports the casting was later tied to a leaked report before Marvel made it official at Comic-Con.
The timeline from public interest to confirmed casting took roughly two years. It is a rare case of a star openly campaigning for a superhero role and actually getting it. Gosling joins a growing list of A-list actors Marvel has recruited since the success of Deadpool & Wolverine.
What We Know About the 2028 Film
Aside from the director, the star, and the release year, details about the Ghost Rider film remain thin. Marvel confirmed it is in development, but no plot summary, co-stars, or production start date have been announced. The 2028 window gives Marvel roughly three years to build out the project.
Ghost Rider — the character — is a human bonded with a demonic spirit who transforms into a flaming skull-headed biker. Johnny Blaze is the most iconic version of the character. Nicolas Cage played Blaze in two earlier films, in 2007 and 2012, both outside the current MCU continuity.
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