Ryan Gosling Cast as Ghost Rider: Marvel Movie Set for 2028

Ryan Gosling has officially been cast as Ghost Rider in a new Marvel Studios film planned for theaters in 2028. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced the project during the company’s Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026.

Gosling appeared onstage with director Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool & Wolverine. Jonathan Tropper, the screenwriter behind the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, is writing the script.

What Marvel Studios has confirmed

The confirmed details are Gosling’s casting, Levy’s direction, Tropper’s screenplay and a 2028 theatrical release window. An exact release date was not provided during the Comic-Con presentation.

Development has started, but filming dates, supporting actors, the main villain and plot details remain undisclosed.

The announcement can be verified through Disney’s official report on Marvel Studios’ 2026 Comic-Con presentation.

Is Ryan Gosling playing Johnny Blaze?

The studio has not identified whether Gosling will portray Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, Robbie Reyes or another incarnation of Ghost Rider. Calling him Johnny Blaze would therefore be premature.

Blaze is the character most closely associated with the Ghost Rider name. In Marvel Comics, he is a motorcycle stunt performer who becomes bonded to a supernatural Spirit of Vengeance after making a desperate bargain.

Robbie Reyes presents a different possibility because he is associated with a powerful car instead of Blaze’s flaming motorcycle. Gabriel Luna portrayed Reyes during the fourth season of ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

How the Ryan Gosling project developed

Gosling’s interest in the role dates back to 2022, when he publicly named Ghost Rider as the Marvel character he wanted to play. Feige responded positively at the time, although no casting agreement was announced.

While promoting Project Hail Mary earlier in 2026, Gosling acknowledged that discussions with Marvel had taken place. His Hall H appearance ended years of speculation by turning those talks into a confirmed film.

Levy and Gosling recently worked together on Star Wars: Starfighter, scheduled for May 28, 2027. Tropper wrote that movie as well, giving the three principal creative figures experience working together before beginning the Ghost Rider project.

How the new film differs from earlier adaptations

Nicolas Cage played Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider and returned for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in 2012. Those Sony-produced films were released outside Marvel Studios’ connected film series.

Eva Mendes, Gosling’s longtime partner, portrayed Roxanne Simpson opposite Cage in the first movie. The personal connection has attracted attention since the casting announcement, but it does not mean that the earlier storyline will continue.

No performer from the Cage films has been confirmed for the 2028 production. Reports involving a Nicolas Cage cameo or returning characters should be considered unverified unless the studio announces them.

A separate Hulu series starring Gabriel Luna entered development but was abandoned in 2019 before production. The cancellation left the character without a standalone live-action television series.

What Ghost Rider could add to the MCU

Ghost Rider’s stories involve curses, demons, vengeance and the consequences of dangerous bargains. This supernatural background could give the film a darker setting than the technological and cosmic conflicts featured in many Marvel releases.

There is no confirmed connection to Blade, Doctor Strange, the Avengers or another supernatural character. Crossovers, villains and alleged cameo lists circulating online remain speculation.

Marvel and Sony are preparing several other major releases before 2028. Confirmed characters and early footage from Tom Holland’s next movie are examined in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer breakdown.

Marvel’s wider theatrical schedule includes Avengers: Doomsday featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, scheduled to open on December 18, 2026.

What remains unknown

As of July 28, 2026, there is no trailer, official character image, production date, age rating, complete cast or exact theatrical date. The specific Ghost Rider identity Gosling will play is also being kept under wraps.

For now, the verified story is clear: Ryan Gosling will star in Marvel Studios’ new Ghost Rider film, Shawn Levy will direct, Jonathan Tropper will write the screenplay and the movie is intended for theaters in 2028.