Marvel Studios announced at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026, that Ryan Gosling will star in a new Ghost Rider film. Directed by Shawn Levy, the project is scheduled for a 2028 theatrical release, marking Gosling’s official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The reveal took place during the blockbuster Hall H panel, where Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige introduced Gosling to a crowd of fans. The actor, a three-time Oscar nominee, has long expressed interest in the role, and the announcement transforms months of industry rumors into a concrete production timeline. While a specific date has not yet been set, the film is slated for 2028.
The Gosling and Levy Partnership
The pairing of Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy is not a new collaboration. The duo is currently working on Star Wars: Starfighter, which is due to open on May 28, 2027.
Gosling emphasized the importance of the director’s role during his surprise appearance, stating that only one director
could bring the character to the screen. Levy brings a proven track record with the studio, having previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine, which the Los Angeles Times noted was the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever. The film’s script is being handled by Jonathan Tropper, who is also writing Star Wars: Starfighter.
Bridging the Ghost Rider Legacy
Gosling’s casting represents a reboot of the character’s cinematic presence. The role of Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sells his soul to become an agent of vengeance, was previously played by Nicolas Cage in 2007’s Ghost Rider and 2011’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Those two films, which were not part of the MCU, grossed more than $361M worldwide combined.
The MCU has had a fragmented history with the character. As reported by IGN, the character of Johnny Blaze made a brief appearance in the TV series Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, where he transferred his powers to Robbie Reyes. Gabriel Luna portrayed Reyes in that series, and while a solo series for Luna was planned, it was eventually cancelled. Gosling’s version will be the second actor to portray Ghost Rider in a live-action film.
There is a personal connection to the franchise as well: Gosling’s partner, Eva Mendes, starred in the original 2007 film as Roxane Simpson. However, there has been no word on whether Mendes will reprise her role for the new project.
Integration into the Broader 2028 Slate
Ghost Rider is part of a larger strategic push for Marvel Studios as they navigate a dense release calendar. The 2028 window is already crowded with other major projects, most notably Black Panther 3, which is set for December 15, 2028. That film will introduce David Jonsson as a new T’Challa, the son of the character previously played by Chadwick Boseman.
The studio is currently gearing up for Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives on December 18, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.
Remaining Mysteries and Next Steps
Despite the casting and director confirmation, Marvel is keeping the specifics of the plot under wraps. There is currently no verified information regarding the film’s villain or the specific version of the Ghost Rider character Gosling will portray. Fans and analysts are debating whether he will play the classic Johnny Blaze or a different iteration, such as Danny Ketch.
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