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Marvel Studios Announces Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider in 2028 MCU Film
At its 2026 Hall H panel during San Diego Comic‑Con, Marvel Studios confirmed that Ryan Gosling will take on the mantle of Ghost Rider in a standalone feature slated for theatrical release in 2028. Studio president Kevin Feige explained that the new film will be among the first projects following the franchise’s soft reboot in Avengers: Secret Wars. Director Shawn Levy and screenwriter Jonathan Tropper were announced as the creative leads.
The Ghost Rider name has long stirred fan curiosity. The anti‑hero first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972) and later received a dedicated series that ran until 1983. Over time, the flaming‑skull image has been inhabited by Danny Ketch, Robbie Reyes, and even a Cosmic Ghost Rider, making the visual a consistent hook across decades.
Marvel’s choice of Gosling comes after two earlier cinematic outings starring Nicolas Cage. Cage played Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011). The first film earned roughly $228.7 million worldwide on a $110‑$120 million budget; the sequel made about $132.6 million to $149.4 million on a $57 million budget. Both movies received weak critical reception, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 28 % and 18 % respectively. Those films will become free on Tubi on August 1, 2026, giving audiences a low‑risk way to compare the earlier portrayals to Gosling’s upcoming incarnation.
The Hall H panel did not specify which Ghost Rider version Gosling will portray. The studio’s statement highlighted the character’s importance in the MCU’s post‑Secret Wars era while leaving the exact incarnation open. Industry observers note that the timing signals a firm commitment to the character, as Marvel has yet to announce a replacement for the franchise’s previous iterations.
Levy, known for the Night at the Museum trilogy and Real Steel, brings a blend of action and humor to the project. His recent work on Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and the Star Wars: Starfighter series demonstrates experience with high‑budget action‑comedy films. Tropper, a writer and producer with credits on Banshee and Warrior, is expected to craft a script that balances supernatural elements with grounded storytelling.
The 2028 release slot places the film in the MCU’s Phase 6 schedule, which also includes a third Black Panther installment and a Deadpool sequel. Marvel’s strategy appears to be re‑introducing legacy characters in a way that ties them to the broader narrative arc established in Secret Wars. The studio’s focus on a “soft reboot” suggests an intent to refresh the Ghost Rider mythos while maintaining continuity with the MCU’s evolving storyline.
From a business perspective, the Ghost Rider franchise has proven resilient. Although the earlier films underperformed critically, they achieved respectable box‑office returns and have maintained a dedicated fan base. The upcoming Tubi release of the Cage movies may also generate renewed interest ahead of Gosling’s debut. Marvel’s selection of a high‑profile actor, a seasoned director, and a writer with a track record in genre storytelling signals a calculated effort to elevate the character’s cinematic presence.
In summary, Marvel Studios has officially announced Ryan Gosling as the next Ghost Rider, with a 2028 theatrical release directed by Shawn Levy and written by Jonathan Tropper. The film will be positioned after the Avengers: Secret Wars reboot, underscoring the studio’s commitment to reinvigorating the franchise. Fans can currently watch the earlier Nicolas Cage films on Tubi, and the new movie is slated to join the MCU’s Phase 6 lineup in 2028.
The Ghost Rider name has long stirred fan curiosity. The anti‑hero first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972) and later received a dedicated series that ran until 1983. Over time, the flaming‑skull image has been inhabited by Danny Ketch, Robbie Reyes, and even a Cosmic Ghost Rider, making the visual a consistent hook across decades.
Marvel’s choice of Gosling comes after two earlier cinematic outings starring Nicolas Cage. Cage played Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider (2007) and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011). The first film earned roughly $228.7 million worldwide on a $110‑$120 million budget; the sequel made about $132.6 million to $149.4 million on a $57 million budget. Both movies received weak critical reception, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 28 % and 18 % respectively. Those films will become free on Tubi on August 1, 2026, giving audiences a low‑risk way to compare the earlier portrayals to Gosling’s upcoming incarnation.
The Hall H panel did not specify which Ghost Rider version Gosling will portray. The studio’s statement highlighted the character’s importance in the MCU’s post‑Secret Wars era while leaving the exact incarnation open. Industry observers note that the timing signals a firm commitment to the character, as Marvel has yet to announce a replacement for the franchise’s previous iterations.
Levy, known for the Night at the Museum trilogy and Real Steel, brings a blend of action and humor to the project. His recent work on Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) and the Star Wars: Starfighter series demonstrates experience with high‑budget action‑comedy films. Tropper, a writer and producer with credits on Banshee and Warrior, is expected to craft a script that balances supernatural elements with grounded storytelling.
The 2028 release slot places the film in the MCU’s Phase 6 schedule, which also includes a third Black Panther installment and a Deadpool sequel. Marvel’s strategy appears to be re‑introducing legacy characters in a way that ties them to the broader narrative arc established in Secret Wars. The studio’s focus on a “soft reboot” suggests an intent to refresh the Ghost Rider mythos while maintaining continuity with the MCU’s evolving storyline.
From a business perspective, the Ghost Rider franchise has proven resilient. Although the earlier films underperformed critically, they achieved respectable box‑office returns and have maintained a dedicated fan base. The upcoming Tubi release of the Cage movies may also generate renewed interest ahead of Gosling’s debut. Marvel’s selection of a high‑profile actor, a seasoned director, and a writer with a track record in genre storytelling signals a calculated effort to elevate the character’s cinematic presence.
In summary, Marvel Studios has officially announced Ryan Gosling as the next Ghost Rider, with a 2028 theatrical release directed by Shawn Levy and written by Jonathan Tropper. The film will be positioned after the Avengers: Secret Wars reboot, underscoring the studio’s commitment to reinvigorating the franchise. Fans can currently watch the earlier Nicolas Cage films on Tubi, and the new movie is slated to join the MCU’s Phase 6 lineup in 2028.
