Ryan Gosling is finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The “Project Hail Mary” star will play Ghost Rider in a new standalone movie, Marvel Studios executive Kevin Feige announced on stage from Hall H at San Diego Comic Con. The film will be directed by Shawn Levy and will be released in 2028.
Levi is no stranger to the world of Marvel, having most recently directed and produced the blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine” film. He and Gosling also recently collaborated on the upcoming “Star Wars” film “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which Levi also directed and which stars Gosling. That film is scheduled to release on May 28, 2027.
“I’m getting the biggest flashback vibes here, because I was here two years ago when we showed ‘Deadpool and Wolverine,'” Levy said as he appeared on the Hall H stage with Gosling and Feige. “I’ll never forget that night, because I was introduced to the greatest fans. Gosling is absolutely crazy. I say this with the utmost respect. We spent a lot of time last year making ‘Starfighter,’ and when Ryan started talking about this character, I said, ‘Bro let’s ride.’ We’ll see you in 2028!”
Gosling will be the second actor to play the Spirit of Vengeance in a film, after Nicolas Cage played the fiery motorcyclist in Sony’s two films. The character was also portrayed by Gabriel Luna in the Marvel-ABC series “Agents of SHIELD” as the Robbie Reyes version of the comic book character. Luna was set to reprise the role in a standalone series for Hulu, but that project was canceled in 2019.
Cage first played motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze in Sony’s “Ghost Rider” film in 2007. In the comics and the film featuring his origin story, Johnny sells his soul to the devil Mephisto to cure his father’s cancer. Like any deal with the devil, Mephisto cures Johnny’s father, but he still dies in a stunt accident. Johnny then becomes bound to a supernatural demon called the Spirit of Vengeance and is able to transform into a flaming, skeletal biker. He also possesses immense strength, wielding a series of intense whips and can force someone to experience the emotional pain they have caused others through the sight of his penance.
Cage reprized his role in the 2011 sequel, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance”, but reviews of both films were mostly negative.
The rights to Ghost Rider were returned to Marvel Studios, which reimagined the character for the ABC TV show “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Gabriel Luna played the Robbie Reyes version of the character, a young, Latino man who plays Ghost Rider.
Gosling is having a big year after starring in “Project Hail Mary” and will be joining the Star Wars universe in next year’s “Starfighter” spinoff.