Ryan Gosling is officially entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking on one of Marvel’s darkest and most visually distinctive characters. The actor will star as Ghost Rider in a new standalone movie scheduled for release in 2028, with Shawn Levy directing.
The announcement was made by Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige during the studio’s presentation in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, where Gosling appeared alongside Levy and Feige to reveal the project.
From Hollywood star to Spirit of Vengeance
Ghost Rider occupies a very different corner of the Marvel universe from its traditional superheroes. The character is best known through Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt performer whose supernatural transformation turns him into the fiery Spirit of Vengeance.
In the comics, Blaze makes a deal with the demon Mephisto in an attempt to save his father. The bargain ultimately binds him to a supernatural entity, giving him extraordinary strength, a flaming skeletal appearance, supernatural chains and the famous Penance Stare, which forces its victims to experience the suffering they have caused others.
Gosling will follow Nicolas Cage, who played Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider in 2007 and returned for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in 2011. Another incarnation of the character, Robbie Reyes, was later portrayed by Gabriel Luna in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Ryan Gosling reunites with Shawn Levy
The project will also reunite Gosling with director Shawn Levy. The pair recently worked together on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.
Levy already has major Marvel experience after directing and producing Deadpool & Wolverine. During the Comic-Con announcement, he revealed that conversations with Gosling about Ghost Rider helped set the new project in motion.
The film also appears to be unusually personal for Gosling. Feige later said the actor came to Marvel with his own ideas for a Ghost Rider movie, rather than simply being approached to play an existing role.
A darker direction for Marvel
Ghost Rider could bring a different energy to the MCU. With its supernatural mythology, demonic imagery and themes of vengeance, guilt and morality, the character offers Marvel an opportunity to explore territory far removed from the lighter superhero adventures traditionally associated with the franchise.
The announcement also arrives as Marvel reassesses its strategy. Feige has said the studio is reducing its output after years of releasing a high volume of films and series, with the intention of placing greater emphasis on individual projects and quality.
For Gosling, meanwhile, the role adds another major franchise to an already remarkable period in his career. Following Project Hail Mary, he will enter the Star Wars universe with Starfighter in 2027 before becoming Marvel’s Spirit of Vengeance in 2028.
After years of speculation about when Ryan Gosling might finally join the MCU, Marvel has found its answer — and it comes with a motorcycle, supernatural vengeance and a skull engulfed in flames.
