Ryan Gosling is new 'Ghost Rider', reuniting with Shawny Levy after 'Star Wars: Starfighter'

Marvel Studios has officially announced that Ryan Gosling will play Johnny Blaze, better known as Ghost Rider, in a new standalone Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film. The surprise reveal was made by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige during the Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, exciting fans around the world.

The film will be directed by Shawn Levy, marking another collaboration between Levy and Gosling after their upcoming science fiction adventure Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to be released on 28 May 2027. The new Ghost Rider movie is scheduled to arrive in cinemas in 2028.

Gosling will take on the role of Johnny Blaze, a fearless stunt motorcyclist who makes a deal with a demon and transforms into the supernatural Spirit of Vengeance. The character was previously played in live-action films by Nicolas Cage. During the Comic-Con panel, Gosling made a surprise appearance and said that Ghost Rider is a character he has wanted to play for a very long time.

Although Ghost Rider and Star Wars: Starfighter are currently the only announced projects featuring both Gosling and Levy, the director is well known for building long-term creative partnerships with other actors too.

Levy's most successful collaboration has been with Ryan Reynolds. Together they made Free Guy (2021), The Adam Project (2022), and the blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). He has also worked closely with Hugh Jackman, first directing him in Real Steel (2011) before reuniting with him for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Another of Levy's frequent collaborators is Ben Stiller, whom he directed in all three Night at the Museum films. Earlier in his career, Levy also teamed up with Ashton Kutcher on the 2003 comedies Just Married and Cheaper by the Dozen.

With Gosling stepping into the role of Ghost Rider and Levy behind the camera, Marvel hopes to introduce a fresh take on one of its most popular supernatural heroes.