Ryan Gosling Joins Marvel's Ghost Rider Movie, Confirms 2028 Release

Ryan Gosling will star as Johnny Blaze, the supernatural motorcycle hero Ghost Rider, in a new Marvel Cinematic Universe film slated for release in 2028, Marvel announced at San Diego Comic-Con. The project will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously helmed Deadpool & Wolverine and is currently working with Gosling on Star Wars: Starfighter.

The actor appeared on stage at Marvel's Hall H panel to confirm the news, greeted by cheers from the audience. According to Rolling Stone, the punk classic “Ghost Rider” by Suicide played as he walked out. Gosling has publicly expressed interest in the role for years, telling the BBC the character is one he has "wanted to play for a very long time."

What Are the Details of the New Ghost Rider Film?

The announcement provided several concrete details about the project:

• Star: Ryan Gosling as Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider
• Director: Shawn Levy
• Release Year: 2028
• Announcement Venue: San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel
• Character History: Johnny Blaze was previously portrayed by Nicolas Cage in two standalone films.

According to BBC reporting, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said he had often been asked when Gosling would join the MCU before making the surprise announcement. Levy also took the stage, telling the crowd, according to the BBC, "As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing, and I finally said, 'bro, let's ride', so guys, we'll see you in 2028."

Who Is Involved in the Project?

This marks Ryan Gosling's first official role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is currently one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors, coming off major roles in Barbie and 2026's Project Hail Mary. Director Shawn Levy is a known quantity within the MCU, having directed the record-breaking Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024. The pair are already collaborating on Star Wars: Starfighter, which is scheduled for release in May 2027.

Johnny Blaze is a stunt motorcyclist who bonds with a demonic Spirit of Vengeance to become the flaming-skulled anti-hero. Nicolas Cage played the role in 2007's Ghost Rider and its 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which were produced before the modern MCU era and are not part of its continuity.

Why Does This Casting Matter for Marvel?

The casting of Gosling represents a significant coup for Marvel Studios. According to /Film, the actor has been a fan-favorite choice for the role for years, and his star power is at an all-time high following the success of Barbie and Project Hail Mary. The announcement was positioned as a major surprise to kick off Marvel's Comic-Con panel, signaling the studio's confidence in the project as a cornerstone of its post-Avengers slate.

Bringing Ghost Rider into the MCU proper also fulfills a long-held ambition for the studio. Marvel reacquired the film rights to the character in 2013, according to /Film, but previous attempts to launch a new project, including a planned TV series starring Gabriel Luna as the Robbie Reyes version of Ghost Rider, did not move forward.

What Happens Next?

The film is currently slated for a 2028 release, according to multiple outlets including Digital Spy and ComingSoon.net. No specific production start date or further casting has been announced.

The 2007 Ghost Rider Film's Legacy

The new film will follow two previous standalone movies starring Nicolas Cage. The 2007 film Ghost Rider, directed by Mark Steven Johnson, featured a cast including Eva Mendes, Sam Elliott, and Wes Bentley. Its premise saw stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze sell his soul to Mephistopheles, played by Peter Fonda, to save his father, setting him on a path to become the Spirit of Vengeance.

That film received mixed critical reception, earning a 28% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 35 out of 100 on Metacritic. As of July 2026, it is available to stream in the US on Philo, Starz, Starz Roku Premium Channel, and YouTube TV.

Sources

• BBC
• Rolling Stone