Ryan Gosling Ghost Rider Confirmed: New Movie 2028 Cast and Details

For more than a decade, Ghost Rider fans have watched the flaming skull fade in and out of Hollywood’s rearview mirror — first with Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top take, then with a quiet reboot that never quite arrived. Now, Ryan Gosling is officially attached to bring the Spirit of Vengeance back to the big screen, and the project is moving fast. Here’s what we know about the casting, the franchise’s box-office history, and what comes next for Marvel’s most hellish hero.

First live-action depiction: 2007 (Nicolas Cage) ·
Franchise box office: $228 million (two films) ·
Ryan Gosling project: Reported in development at Marvel Studios ·
Comic debut: Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972) ·
Key alter ego: Johnny Blaze / stunt motorcyclist

Six key facts shape the Ghost Rider story — from debut to reboot.

Will Ryan Gosling play Ghost Rider?

Yes — and it’s now official. Marvel Studios announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026 that Ryan Gosling will star as Johnny Blaze in a new Ghost Rider film, with Shawn Levy directing (Deadline, the Hollywood trade that broke the news). The project ends years of rumors and brings Gosling’s long-stated dream role to life.

What was announced about Ryan Gosling’s role?

• Gosling will portray Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider (Vulture).
• Shawn Levy, who worked with Gosling on Star Wars: Starfighter, is attached as director (Empire).
• Kevin Feige had earlier expressed interest in finding a place for Gosling in the MCU after learning of his interest in 2022 (Entertainment Weekly).

The implication: This isn’t a casual casting — it’s a carefully orchestrated entry into the MCU, backed by Feige and a director with a history with the star.

When will the new Ghost Rider movie release?

The film is planned for release in 2028 (The Week). No specific month or date has been announced, but the 2028 window suggests a mid-phase MCU slot.

Why did Ghost Rider flop?

The two earlier Ghost Rider films, both starring Nicolas Cage, underperformed critically and commercially. The 2007 original earned $228.7 million worldwide against a $110 million budget (Vulture). Its sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012), grossed $132.6 million on a $57 million budget — a drop in real-world returns.

What were the box office results for Ghost Rider (2007) and Spirit of Vengeance?

• 2007: $228.7M worldwide · $110M budget
• 2012: $132.6M worldwide · $57M budget

Both films were panned by critics. Rotten Tomatoes scores: 27% for the 2007 film, 19% for Spirit of Vengeance (Vulture). The writing and tonal inconsistency were the main culprits.

Why did critics and audiences dislike the films?

• Critics complained about a muddled script and uneven tone.
• Audiences found Cage’s performance divisive — too campy for some, too restrained for others.
• The films lacked a clear connection to a larger universe, hurting franchise potential.

The pattern: The Ghost Rider films failed because they tried to be both dark and campy, satisfying neither camp. The reboot has a chance to learn from those mistakes.

Is Ghost Rider a good guy or a villain?

Ghost Rider is an anti-hero. Johnny Blaze sold his soul to Mephistopheles to save his father, but he uses his powers — the Penance Stare, hellfire, and superhuman strength — to punish evil rather than serve the devil (Vulture). He fights demons, corrupt humans, and supernatural threats.

What are Ghost Rider’s powers?

• Penance Stare: Forces a target to feel all the pain they have inflicted on others.
• Hellfire: Can conjure flames that burn anything, including souls.
• Superhuman strength, speed, and durability.
• Rides a hell-charged motorcycle that can traverse any surface.

Who does Ghost Rider fight?

His primary enemies are demons, Blackheart, and other supernatural villains. He has also clashed with heroes like Doctor Strange and the Hulk when their paths crossed.

Who can actually beat Ghost Rider?

In Marvel canon, several characters have defeated Ghost Rider. Doctor Strange, Thor, and the Hulk have all managed to best him in combat (Vulture). The Penance Stare, his ultimate weapon, is ineffective against beings without a soul — or those who feel no remorse.

Can Ghost Rider lift Thor’s hammer?

Yes — if he is deemed worthy. In comic lore, Ghost Rider has been shown to be worthy of Mjolnir under certain circumstances. His sense of justice and willingness to sacrifice qualify him.

Which Marvel characters are stronger than Ghost Rider?

• Doctor Strange: Magic and reality manipulation counter Ghost Rider’s raw power.
• Thor: God-level strength and weather control.
• Hulk: Unlimited rage makes him nearly impossible to subdue.
• Silver Surfer: Cosmic power dwarfs hellfire.

The trade-off: Ghost Rider is a mid-tier powerhouse — dangerous to street-level and demonic foes, but outclassed by cosmic and magic users.

Is Ghost Rider 3 happening?

No — at least not as a direct sequel to the Nicolas Cage films. The Ryan Gosling project is a complete reboot, not a continuation (The Week). It’s part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, whereas the earlier films were produced by Sony and Marvel separately.

Will the sequel feature Nicolas Cage?

Nicolas Cage posted on Facebook in 2024 that his Ghost Rider would return, but the exact nature of his involvement remains unclear (Vulture). The reboot likely means a clean break, though a cameo is not impossible.

Is the new movie part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Yes — the Ghost Rider reboot is being developed internally at Marvel Studios, not by Sony (The Week). This means Ghost Rider will interact with the wider MCU, something fans have been waiting for.

Timeline

• 1972 — Ghost Rider debuts in Marvel Spotlight #5 (Wikipedia).
• 2007 — First Ghost Rider film starring Nicolas Cage is released (Vulture).
• 2011 — Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance begins filming (Box Office Mojo).
• 2012 — Spirit of Vengeance released to mixed reviews (Vulture).
• November 2024 — Ryan Gosling reports interest and early discussions with Marvel (ComicBook.com).
• July 2026 — Marvel announces Gosling as Ghost Rider at Comic-Con (Deadline).
• 2028 — Planned release date.

The timeline shows the long gap between the last film and the reboot, underscoring the franchise’s stalled momentum.

What we know — and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

• Ryan Gosling is cast as Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider (Deadline).
• Shawn Levy is directing (Empire).
• The film is a Marvel Studios reboot, not a sequel (The Week).
• Release set for 2028 (The Week).

What’s unclear

• Exact release date and MCU phase placement.
• Whether Nicolas Cage will appear in any capacity.
• If the film will adapt specific comic storylines.
• Full cast beyond Gosling.

The knowns are solid, but the unknowns keep the project open to speculation.

Quotes

“Some discussions have been had” about Ghost Rider — and it’s “complicated.”

— Ryan Gosling, speaking to ComicBook.com

“My Ghost Rider will return.”

— Nicolas Cage, in a Facebook post (reported by Vulture)

For Marvel Studios, the choice is clear: reboot the Ghost Rider brand with a bankable star, or let the franchise continue to smolder in obscurity. With Gosling and Levy on board, the odds of a successful resurrection are higher than ever. For fans, the wait is almost over — and the Spirit of Vengeance is finally getting a proper MCU arrival.

For context on why the earlier Ghost Rider movies struggled, a detailed breakdown of the box office performance of the 2007 film reveals the financial and critical factors that led to their mixed reception.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common curiosities about the character and the upcoming film.

Related reading

• Will Poulter: Biography, Relationships, Appearance Changes — another MCU actor with a transformative role.
• Kirsten Dunst: Biography, Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth — a Marvel film veteran whose Spider-Man trilogy connects to the superhero film landscape.