Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Johnny Blaze, with Marvel Studios confirming that he will lead a new Ghost Rider film arriving in cinemas in 2028.
The major casting announcement was made during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, finally confirming rumours that had followed Gosling for more than a year. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige introduced the actor to the stage, where he was welcomed by huge cheers from the crowd.
“Wow, is this really happening?” Gosling said. “As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time.” He went on to thank Feige, journalist Josh Horowitz and the audience for helping to make the announcement possible. It’s clear this role means a lot to him, and we can absolutely see the vision.
Gosling will play Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt rider who becomes bound to the demon Zarathos after making a dangerous deal to save someone he loves. He transforms into the flaming, motorcycle-riding Spirit of Vengeance, using supernatural hellfire and the Penance Stare to punish those who have harmed others.
Shawn Levy will direct the film following his work on Deadpool & Wolverine. He and Gosling recently worked together on Star Wars: Starfighter, and the pair revealed that conversations about Ghost Rider began while they were filming the upcoming Star Wars adventure.
“As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing,” Levy told the audience. “And I finally said, ‘Bro, let’s ride.’ So guys, we’ll see you in 2028.”
The new film will bring Johnny Blaze into the MCU after Nicolas Cage previously played the character in Ghost Rider in 2007 and its 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna later appeared as Robbie Reyes, another version of Ghost Rider, in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Gosling’s casting also marks his first major superhero role. After films including Barbie, The Fall Guy and Project Hail Mary, he will now play one of Marvel’s darkest and most visually distinctive antiheroes.
For CultureCues, Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider is the kind of Marvel casting we did not know we needed until it became real. He has the intensity, humour and screen presence to bring something brilliant to Johnny Blaze, while Levy’s work on Deadpool & Wolverine proves he can deliver the scale and spectacle this character deserves. MCU, we are so back. Start your engines, because we are more than ready to ride.
Ghost Rider is expected to arrive in cinemas in 2028.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.