One of the biggest surprises to come out of San Diego Comic-Con this year was the announcement of a new Ghost Rider movie, starring Ryan Gosling as the Spirit of Vengeance.
The upcoming Marvel Studios film will be directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine), reuniting him with Gosling after the two worked together on Star Wars: Starfighter (in theaters May 28, 2027). The announcement also brought an end to years of speculation surrounding Gosling's potential involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gosling has never hidden that he wanted to play Ghost Rider, and he’s talked openly about his interest in the supernatural antihero. Now Marvel Studios casting director Sarah Finn has explained why he was the right choice for the role.
Speaking with Collider at the Newport Beach Film Festival, Finn said Gosling’s enthusiasm for the character was one of the biggest reasons he got the part, along with his range as an actor.
"He's the perfect choice, first of all, because he's really passionate about playing the role, and that's something that matters; that passionate actors bring to these characters the love for the characters that we feel on-screen. And on top of that, he's an unbelievably talented and versatile actor. So, with the combination of Shawn Levy at the helm, I feel good about this. I feel good about our possibilities here."
Gosling once named Ghost Rider as the Marvel character he’d most like to play, and Kevin Feige later confirmed that Gosling was the one who brought the idea to the studio.
A three-time Oscar nominee, Gosling certainly has the range Finn is talking about. He's taken on darker roles in films like Drive and Blade Runner 2049, while showing off his comedic side in The Nice Guys and Barbie. Ghost Rider could give him an opportunity to bring both sides of his acting career together.
Gosling won’t be the first actor to play the Spirit of Vengeance in live action. Nicolas Cage starred as Johnny Blaze in two Ghost Rider movies, and Gabriel Luna played Robbie Reyes on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel has yet to confirm which version of Ghost Rider Gosling will play, though reports suggest it will be Johnny Blaze.
Plot details for the MCU's upcoming take on the character remain under wraps, though Jonathan Tropper, who also worked with Gosling and Levy on Star Wars: Starfighter, is writing the screenplay.
Ghost Rider is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 28, 2028.