Marvel is bringing one of its most supernatural heroes back to the big screen, and this time Ryan Gosling is taking the handlebars.
Ghost Rider is officially heading into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Gosling confirmed to play the iconic Spirit of Vengeance. The movie is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 28, 2028, making it one of the major projects planned for the MCU’s next era.
There is still a lot we do not know. Production has not started, no trailer has been released, and Marvel has yet to reveal which version of Ghost Rider Gosling will portray. The supporting cast and story are also being kept firmly under wraps.
What we do know is enough to make this one of Marvel’s more intriguing upcoming projects. Shawn Levy is directing, Jonathan Tropper is writing, and Gosling himself reportedly played a major role in shaping the idea that eventually convinced Marvel to move forward.
Ghost Rider release date and production
Marvel confirmed the new Ghost Rider movie at San Diego Comic Con 2026, initially announcing that the film would arrive sometime in 2028.
The release date has since been set for July 28, 2028.
That puts Ghost Rider between two other major MCU releases planned for the same year. Marvel’s new X Men movie is currently scheduled for May 5, 2028, while Black Panther 3 is expected on December 15, 2028.
The July release gives Ghost Rider a prominent position in Marvel’s post Multiverse Saga lineup. It is also significant because the movie is expected to help establish the supernatural side of the MCU as the franchise moves into its next phase.
However, the project is still in the early stages of development. Filming has not begun, and Marvel has not announced a production start date.
That means the July 2028 date could still change if development takes longer than expected. For now, though, it remains the official theatrical release date.
There is also no trailer yet. That is hardly surprising given the current state of production. A first teaser is unlikely to appear until filming is well underway, meaning fans could be waiting until 2028 before getting a proper look at Gosling as the Spirit of Vengeance.
Ryan Gosling is Ghost Rider, but which one?
Ryan Gosling is currently the only confirmed member of the movie’s cast.
The actor has been linked with a potential Marvel role for several years. In 2022, reports suggested that he was interested in joining the MCU, with Ghost Rider quickly becoming one of the most popular possibilities among fans.
Gosling later indicated that he had held discussions with Marvel. Kevin Feige also previously expressed interest in finding a suitable MCU role for the actor.
Those conversations have now led to something considerably more concrete.
The big unanswered question is which Ghost Rider Gosling will actually play.
The character has had several major identities in Marvel Comics. Johnny Blaze is the most famous and has already been played by Nicolas Cage in two movies. Danny Ketch became Ghost Rider in the comics during the 1990s and remains one of the character’s best known incarnations.
There is also Robbie Reyes, who brought a more modern interpretation to the character. Gabriel Luna played Reyes in the television series Agents of SHIELD.
Marvel therefore has several options. Choosing Danny Ketch would give the studio a relatively fresh version for live action, while returning to Johnny Blaze or Robbie Reyes could allow Marvel to reinterpret characters audiences have already encountered.
For now, Marvel is not saying which direction it has chosen.
Story, director and the future of Marvel’s supernatural universe
There is no official plot synopsis yet, but the project has an unusual creative origin.
According to comments from Kevin Feige and Shawn Levy, Gosling was heavily involved in developing the idea. Gosling reportedly brought his own vision for the character to Marvel, which helped convince Levy to get involved.
Levy is directing the film, while Jonathan Tropper is writing the screenplay. The pair are also working with Gosling on Star Wars: Starfighter, creating an interesting creative partnership across two major franchises.
The lack of a confirmed story leaves plenty of room for speculation. Ghost Rider could work as a standalone supernatural action movie, but the character also gives Marvel an easy gateway into demons, hell dimensions, dark magic and other occult elements.
That could become particularly important after Avengers: Secret Wars, which is expected to conclude the Multiverse Saga in December 2027.
Marvel has already explored its supernatural side through Doctor Strange, Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night. Ghost Rider could take that corner of the MCU much further.
A successful movie could potentially lead to more supernatural characters appearing together, including Blade and other heroes associated with Marvel’s Midnight Sons concept.
That possibility remains speculation at this stage. Marvel has not confirmed a Midnight Sons movie or announced any direct connection between Ghost Rider and its other supernatural characters.
Still, the timing is interesting. With the MCU entering a new era after Secret Wars, Ghost Rider could become one of the characters responsible for defining what comes next.
Ghost Rider in Marvel Comics
Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 in 1972, with Johnny Blaze becoming the character most closely associated with the original concept.
Blaze made a supernatural deal that transformed him into the Ghost Rider, giving him extraordinary powers and linking him to demonic forces.
Over the decades, the Ghost Rider identity has passed between several characters. Danny Ketch became another major incarnation in 1990, followed much later by Robbie Reyes in 2014.
Although their origins differ, Ghost Riders generally share several abilities. These can include superhuman strength, durability, speed, healing and supernatural fire. Their signature motorcycles can also possess supernatural properties, allowing them to perform feats far beyond those of ordinary vehicles.
One of the character’s most famous abilities is the Penance Stare, which allows Ghost Rider to force an opponent to experience the pain they have caused others.
Whether all of these abilities will appear in the new movie remains unknown.
For now, the biggest attraction is simple. Ryan Gosling is stepping into one of Marvel’s darkest roles, and the studio appears ready to give the Spirit of Vengeance a new beginning.
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