Shawn Levy to Direct Ryan Gosling in Marvel's Ghost Rider Film

Ryan Gosling has been cast as Marvel's Ghost Rider in a standalone film directed by Shawn Levy, with the project set to arrive in 2028. Kevin Feige announced the casting at Marvel's Hall H panel during San Diego Comic-Con. The collaboration marks the second partnership between the filmmaker and actor, who recently completed work on Star Wars: Starfighter.

The Casting and Director Choice

Gosling, a three-time Academy Award nominee, will take on the Spirit of Vengeance after Nicolas Cage portrayed the motorcycle-bound vigilante in two Sony films released in 2007 and 2011. Levy's selection as director follows his recent success with Deadpool & Wolverine, a Marvel Studios project that demonstrated his capability with high-stakes action franchises.

At the Comic-Con announcement, Levy described working with Gosling as transformative. The director noted that after spending significant time collaborating on Star Wars: Starfighter, which launches May 28, 2027, the opportunity to develop the Ghost Rider character together felt natural. Levy remarked: "Gosling is the absolute shit. We spent a lot of time last year making 'Starfighter,' and the opportunity as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, 'Bro let's ride.'"

The Character's History

The combined Nicolas Cage Ghost Rider films grossed more than $361 million worldwide, though both received predominantly negative critical reviews. The character originated in Marvel Comics as Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sells his soul to the devil Mephisto to save his father's life. After Mephisto upholds his end of the bargain but Johnny's father still dies in a stunt accident, the protagonist becomes bonded to a supernatural entity known as the Spirit of Vengeance, gaining superhuman abilities and a flaming skeletal appearance.

Gabriel Luna portrayed an alternative version of Ghost Rider—Robby Reyes—in the ABC television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. A standalone Hulu series featuring Luna's character was greenlit but ultimately scrapped in 2019. The film rights to Ghost Rider reverted to Marvel Studios, clearing the path for this new theatrical project.