Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in a brand-new standalone film. The announcement was made by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige on July 26, 2026, during the studio’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, ending years of speculation about the actor joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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║ – Ryan Gosling officially cast as Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) in a ║
║ new Marvel Studios film. ║
║ – Announcement made by Kevin Feige on July 26, 2026, at Marvel's ║
║ Hall H panel, San Diego Comic-Con. ║
║ – Shawn Levy, director of "Deadpool & Wolverine," will direct; ║
║ Jonathan Tropper is writing the script. ║
║ – Gosling reunites with Levy after their upcoming "Star Wars: ║
║ Starfighter" (releasing May 28, 2027). ║
║ – The new "Ghost Rider" film is set to release in theaters in 2028. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝How the Announcement Happened
The reveal came during Marvel Studios’ blockbuster Hall H presentation on July 26, 2026, where Kevin Feige surprised fans by introducing Ryan Gosling as the studio’s new Ghost Rider. Gosling walked onto the stage to a roaring crowd and told the audience, “Wow, is this really happening? As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time.” He then invited director Shawn Levy to join him onstage, calling him the “only one director” who could bring the character to life on screen.
Rumors of the casting had circulated for hours before the panel, with insider reports from journalist DanielRPK surfacing just before the Hall H event. Marvel’s official confirmation on stage put those rumors to rest.
Who Ryan Gosling Will Play
Gosling will portray Johnny Blaze, the classic stunt-motorcyclist-turned-supernatural-hero version of Ghost Rider, a character who makes a deal with a demon and becomes bonded with the Spirit of Vengeance. This marks the character’s first true, canon appearance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ghost Rider was previously played by Nicolas Cage in two Sony-produced films released in 2007 and 2011, and by Gabriel Luna as the Robbie Reyes version in ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” though that portrayal was never formally folded into MCU canon.
Director Shawn Levy and the Creative Team
Shawn Levy, who directed 2024’s record-breaking “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will direct the new “Ghost Rider” film, with Jonathan Tropper returning to write the script after collaborating with Levy previously. Levy and Gosling are already working together on “Star Wars: Starfighter,” due out May 28, 2027, and Levy revealed the two began discussing a potential Ghost Rider collaboration while filming that project. “Gosling is the absolute shit,” Levy told the Hall H crowd, adding that after riffing on set, he eventually said, “Bro, let’s ride.”
Release Date and What Comes Next
Marvel’s new “Ghost Rider” movie is targeted for a 2028 theatrical release, though an exact date has not yet been announced. The project was unveiled alongside other major Marvel reveals at the same Comic-Con panel, including new footage from “Avengers: Doomsday” and casting news for “Black Panther 3.” Speculation has already begun about how Ghost Rider may connect to other upcoming MCU projects, including a possible Midnight Sons team-up or an appearance in a future “Doctor Strange” installment, though Marvel has not confirmed any such crossover plans.
Why This Casting Matters
Gosling has publicly expressed interest in playing Ghost Rider for years, first mentioning it in a 2024 interview while promoting “The Fall Guy.” He later confirmed that talks with Marvel were underway while promoting “Project Hail Mary” earlier in 2026. His casting comes at a time when he is already juggling a major role in the Star Wars franchise, making 2026 and beyond a career-defining stretch for the actor across two of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster universes.
Final Thoughts
Ryan Gosling stepping into the Ghost Rider role represents one of the most anticipated fan-casting dreams finally coming true, and with Shawn Levy directing, expectations for the 2028 film are already running high.
What do you think of Ryan Gosling as Marvel’s new Ghost Rider? Drop your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates as details on the 2028 film are revealed!