SAN DIEGO — Ryan Gosling will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider in a new standalone film. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced the casting during a presentation at San Diego Comic-Con.

The film is scheduled for release in 2028. Shawn Levy will direct the project, and Jonathan Tropper will write the script. Feige stated that Gosling and Levy pitched the Ghost Rider concept to Marvel Studios.

Gosling addressed the crowd in Hall H, where approximately 7,000 attendees received Doctor Doom masks as promotional items. He expressed surprise at the moment. "Wow, is this really happening?" Gosling said.

He noted his long-standing interest in the role. "As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a long time," he said. Gosling thanked Feige, podcast host Josh Horowitz, and the venue. "So, Kevin, Josh Horowitz, Hall H — Thank you," he said.

Gosling confirmed he was in discussions with Marvel on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in March 2026. During the Comic-Con presentation, he described Levy as the "only director for the project. Levy and Gosling previously worked together on the film Star Wars: Starfighter, which is scheduled for release on May 28, 2027."

Levy discussed the creative process behind the announcement. As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing, and I finally said, 'bro, let's ride', so guys, we'll see you in 2028," Levy said. He offered high praise for his collaborator."

Levy described Gosling with profanity that expressed strong admiration, adding that he spoke with tremendous respect. Levy previously directed the film Deadpool & Wolverine. Gosling is a Canadian actor born in 1980.

The upcoming movie will be the third film about the character. Nicolas Cage starred in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Eva Mendes, Gosling's longtime partner, starred alongside Cage in the 2007 film, which was the first live-action adaptation of the character.

Those two films grossed over $361 million worldwide combined, despite mixed critical reception. Gabriel Luna portrayed the character Robbie Reyes in the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. A standalone Ghost Rider series starring Luna for Hulu was canceled in 2019. In the comic origin story, Johnny Blaze sells his soul to Mephisto to cure his father's cancer. Ghost Rider was also the subject of a 2007 video game. Marvel is a company that publishes comic books and related media. San Diego Comic-Con is a multi-genre entertainment and comic convention. Dune: Part 3 is scheduled for release on December 18. David Harbour and Lewis Pullman appeared on stage for the Avengers: Doomsday panel.

The announcement marks a significant expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a character who has appeared in previous live-action formats. The 2007 and 2011 films established a box office baseline of over $361 million worldwide, though they received mixed critical reception. The new film represents a fresh take on the property, distinct from the earlier Nicolas Cage entries and the canceled 2019 Hulu series starring Gabriel Luna.

The project reunites Gosling and Levy following their collaboration on Star Wars: Starfighter, set for release in 2027. The pitch originated from the actor and director rather than solely from studio executives. The presentation drew approximately 7,000 attendees to Hall H, indicating strong fan interest in the franchise's future slate. The film's 2028 release date places it in the latter half of the current superhero film cycle.