Johnny Blaze is finally coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Ryan Gosling starring and Shawn Levy directing a new Ghost Rider film.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige unveiled the news at the San Diego Comic-Con event, which saw audiences in Hall H whoop with delight.
Here’s what the major players had to say about the exciting news.
Gosling ends long wait for ‘Ghost Rider’ MCU role
Gosling has long held aspirations to play the titular role in a Ghost Rider film within the MCU.
Back in March, Gosling confirmed these aspirations and discussions with Marvel during an episode on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Upon his unveiling in Hall H, the Canadian actor said (via Marvel), “Wow, is this really happening? “As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time.”
Levy merges MCU and Gosling relationships
Levy is becoming a trusted hand in the world of big franchise films.
His many collaborations with Ryan Reynolds led him to direct the box office smash Deadpool & Wolverine, which successfully brought the Merc with a Mouth to the MCU.
Levy then swapped Ryans for Gosling, with the pair working on the new Star Wars: Starfighter, which is expected in cinemas on 28 May, 2027.
The director recalled how discussions on set with Gosling during the Starfighter shoot prompted their take on Ghost Rider, saying, “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.”
Unlike Black Panther 3, the other major announcement made by Marvel in San Diego, Ghost Rider doesn’t have a completely set release date.
Instead, Marvel has simply stated the film will come to cinemas in 2028.
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Who is Ghost Rider/Johnny Blaze?
Johnny Blaze has graced the big screen before, with Nicolas Cage taking on the lead role in 2007’s Ghost Rider and its 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
They were a mixed bag at best, with the first remembered most fondly for its pretty wacky central performance, in typical Cage fashion.
Blaze is a stunt rider who turns into the flaming skull spirit of vengeance, Ghost Rider, after making a deal with the devilish Mephisto.
Armed with his motorcycle, flaming chain and Penance Stare, Blaze’s Ghost Rider is a fearsome anti-hero in Marvel Comics, and his first appearance came in Marvel Spotlight #5, published in August 1972.
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