Marvel confirms third edition of Ghost Rider with Ryan Gosling as lead; film to hit screens in 2028

Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in a new film, ending years of speculation about the actor's long-rumoured connection to the character.

The announcement came during Marvel's Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. Studio president Kevin Feige revealed the project on stage before introducing Gosling, who walked out to loud cheers from the crowd. Gosling told the audience he had wanted to play the character for a long time.

Levy reunites with Gosling to direct the filmGosling will be directed by Shawn Levy, marking their second collaboration after the upcoming Star Wars film Starfighter, due out in May 2027. According to Marvel, the two had discussed the idea of a Ghost Rider film informally while working together on that project, before it developed into an official pitch. Levy previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine for the studio in 2024.

The film, whose logo was unveiled at the panel, is scheduled to arrive in theatres in 2028, though an exact release date has not been announced.

Role Gosling has wanted for yearsThis marks Gosling's first superhero role. The actor has spoken publicly in the past about his interest in playing Ghost Rider, first mentioning it in 2022 while denying reports that he was being considered for a different Marvel character, Nova. Feige had responded warmly to those comments at the time, saying he would welcome the chance to work with Gosling.

Ghost Rider, created around the character of stunt performer Johnny Blaze, was previously portrayed by Nicolas Cage in two live-action films released by Sony in 2007 and 2012. More recently, a different version of the character, Robbie Reyes, appeared in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., played by Gabriel Luna.

Notably, Gosling's real-life partner, actress Eva Mendes, starred in the original 2007 Ghost Rider film. It remains unclear whether she will have any involvement in the new project.

Part of a bigger slate at Comic-ConThe casting comes at a busy point for Marvel Studios, which used the same Comic-Con panel to reveal other upcoming projects, including a new Black Panther film. It also arrives as the studio builds toward its next major crossover event, with Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up Secret Wars both in production.

For Gosling, the role adds to a run of high-profile studio projects. The actor recently starred in Project Hail Mary, one of his most commercially successful films in years, and is set to appear in Starfighter next.