Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider.
Marvel Studios confirmed the long-rumored casting during its Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday night. Gosling will portray the Spirit of Vengeance in a new standalone Ghost Rider film, with Deadpool & Wolverine and Free Guy director Shawn Levy set to helm the project.
The announcement closes a years-long chapter of speculation. Gosling first publicly expressed interest in the role in 2022. In March of this year, while promoting Project Hail Mary, he confirmed that conversations with Marvel had taken place, calling the situation “complicated” while urging fans to “keep hope alive.” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had previously left the door open, praising Gosling and noting that both the actor and the character were strong fits for the MCU.
That hope is now reality. Levy, who is already collaborating with Gosling on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, will direct the film. No release date or additional casting details were revealed at the panel, though the project is expected to further expand Marvel’s supernatural corner of the universe. Fans have long hoped for a Midnight Sons team-up that could eventually link Ghost Rider with characters such as Blade and Moon Knight.
Previous on-screen versions of the character include Nicolas Cage’s Johnny Blaze in the Sony films and Gabriel Luna’s Robbie Reyes on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. This new iteration marks the character’s formal integration into the main MCU film slate.
Gosling’s casting and Levy’s involvement signal a major step forward for Marvel’s darker, more occult storytelling. Production details and a release window are expected in the coming months. For now, the Spirit of Vengeance has a new face—and the motorcycle is about to hit the road.
