Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider, with a standalone film slated for release in 2028. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced the project during the Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, confirming that Shawn Levy will direct the highly anticipated superhero feature.
Ryan Gosling Suits Up as the Spirit of Vengeance
The speculation is finally over. During a blockbuster presentation in Hall H, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced that a new Ghost Rider film is officially in development for a 2028 theatrical release. The film will star Ryan Gosling as the iconic motorcycle-riding anti-hero, bringing one of Marvel’s most famous supernatural characters back to the live-action fold. Feige joked that he’s long been asked about when Ghost Rider — and Gosling — might be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gosling stepped onto the stage to raucous cheers from fans who had waited years for confirmation.
“Wow, is this really happening?”
Ryan Gosling, via Marvel.com
The actor added, As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time.
Gosling will play Johnny Blaze, a stuntman and daredevil known for his skills on a motorcycle who sold his soul to the devil and must become the spirit of vengeance known as Ghost Rider. Throughout Ghost Rider’s publication, there have been multiple incarnations of Ghost Rider as the spirit of vengeance has been passed from one person to the another. Entertainment journalists had previously noted that Gosling actively sought out the role after turning down other comic book rumors, confirming his long-standing interest in the supernatural franchise.
How the Project Came Together on the Set of Star Wars: Starfighter
Gosling then told the audience that only one director
could bring Ghost Rider to the screen, welcoming Levy to the stage. The feature will be directed by Shawn Levy, who directed the 2024 crossover Deadpool & Wolverine, notable for being the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever. Levy previously directed Marvel Studios projects and recently teamed with Gosling on next year’s Star Wars: Starfighter.
According to the filmmakers, the partnership was forged away from the Marvel lot. Gosling and Levy were working together on the upcoming film Star Wars: Starfighter (in theaters May 28, 2027), and Levy told the crowd that he and Gosling spent a lot of their downtime on set daydreaming about Ghost Rider and swapping ideas. Levy recalled swapping ideas about the character with the actor between takes. As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing,
said Levy.
“I’ll never forget that night, because I was introduced to the greatest fans. Gosling is the absolute s**t. I say that with tremendous respect. We spent a lot of time last year making Starfighter, and the opportunity as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, ‘Bro, let’s ride.’ We’ll see you in 2028!”
Shawn Levy, Director, via Marvel.com
The collaboration marks a major pairing for Marvel, putting the project in the hands of a filmmaker already trusted with blockbuster tentpoles.
Where Ghost Rider Fits in Cinematic History
Gosling will become only the second actor to portray Johnny Blaze in a live-action feature film, following Nicolas Cage’s performances in two Ghost Rider films made starring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider and the 2011 sequel. The film will be released in 2028, being the first known Marvel film on the schedule after Avengers: Secret Wars will wrap up the Multiverse Saga in December 2027.
While television fans saw the Robbie Reyes incarnation of the character brought to life by Gabriel Luna in the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the anti-hero has remained absent from live-action screens for years. Gosling’s casting marks a major supernatural expansion for the MCU as the studio looks beyond the Multiverse Saga.
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