Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in a new standalone Marvel Studios film. Marvel exec Kevin Feige announced the casting from Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con. Shawn Levy will direct the movie, which is scheduled for release in 2028.
The Ryan Gosling Ghost Rider news caps Marvel’s Hall H panel, the studio’s flagship yearly event for casting and release date reveals. The project is the first version of the character built entirely inside Marvel Studios, after years spent split across other studios and licensing deals.
Gosling and Levy reunite after Deadpool & Wolverine
Levy took the Hall H stage alongside Gosling and Feige to reveal the casting. He referenced his last Comic-Con appearance, for Deadpool & Wolverine, which he directed and produced in 2024. “I’m having the greatest flashback vibes here, because I was here two years ago when we showed Deadpool & Wolverine,” Levy said.
“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!”
The reveal adds the new role to Marvel’s lineup a year before Gosling and Levy wrap Star Wars: Starfighter. Their other collaboration is due out May 28, 2027. Levy also directs and produces the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” He directed the 2021 film “Free Guy” as well, giving him an established track record with major franchise properties.
Gosling arrives at the project fresh off “Project Hail Mary,” his sci-fi survival film. He will appear in the Star Wars universe through “Starfighter” before taking on this new part.
Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider follows Cage and Luna
Gosling becomes the second actor to headline a Ghost Rider feature. Nicolas Cage played motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze in Sony’s 2007 “Ghost Rider” and its 2011 sequel, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.” Both films drew mostly negative reviews.
In the comics and Cage’s films, Johnny sells his soul to the devil Mephisto to cure his father’s cancer. Mephisto cures the cancer, but Johnny’s father dies anyway in a stunt accident. Johnny then bonds with a demon called the Spirit of Vengeance, gaining super-strength, fiery chain whips and the reality-altering Penance Stare.
A separate version of the character, Robbie Reyes, appeared on the ABC series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” played by Gabriel Luna. A planned Hulu spinoff series built around Luna’s take was scrapped in 2019 before it reached production. The role sat without a live-action home for several years afterward.
Film rights to the character have since reverted fully to Marvel Studios, clearing the way for Gosling’s version. Marvel has not announced additional cast, a writer, or other creative details beyond Gosling and Levy. No title has been confirmed for the 2028 release either.