26 July,2026 12:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider (Pic/X)
Marvel Studios delivered one of the biggest surprises at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 by announcing Ghost Rider, with Ryan Gosling officially taking on the iconic Marvel antihero. Revealed during the star-studded Hall H presentation led by Kevin Feige, the standalone film will be directed by Shawn Levy and is slated for a 2028 release. Gosling's fans were seen jumping with joy as he made the announcement.
The 45-year-old Oscar nominee was revealed as the next actor to play Ghost Rider during Marvel's highly anticipated Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that Ryan will essay the role in an upcoming standalone movie.
"As you know, this is a character I've wanted to play for a long time," Ryan Gosling said on stage to the elated crowd in attendance. The new Ghost Rider movie will be directed by Shawn Levy, who worked with Ryan on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter and famously directed the hit 2024 Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine.
"I'm having the greatest flashback vibes here because I was here two years ago when we showed Deadpool & Wolverine," Levy said.
He added, "I'll never forget that night because I was introduced to the greatest fans. Gosling is the absolute shit. I say that with tremendous respect. We spent a lot of time last year making Starfighter, and as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, 'Bro, let's ride.' We'll see you in 2028!"
This marks Ryan Gosling's first superhero or comic book movie. Nicolas Cage first played motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in the 2007 film Ghost Rider. Cage later reprised the role in the 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
The panel also featured first-look footage from the franchise's next major projects, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, James Marsden, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Lewis Pullman, and others were present.
The makers also surprised the audience by announcing Black Panther 3, with David Jonsson set to play the new Black Panther. The film will release in December 2028.
