Ryan Gosling Confirmed as Ghost Rider in MCU Reboot at SDCC 2026, David Jonsson to Become the New Black Panther in Ryan Coogler's Third Film
Marvel has officially cast Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider and David Jonsson as Black Panther in upcoming MCU projects.
Ryan Gosling, 45, made a surprise appearance at Marvel Studios' Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 on July 25 to confirm he will star in a reboot of the Ghost Rider franchise in the MCU. Nicolas Cage previously played the character in earlier films. Gosling addressed the announcement directly, telling the crowd, 'As you know, this is a character I've wanted to play for a long time.' The casting ends what Just Jared describes as a multi-year campaign by the actor to take on the flaming-skulled antihero. Gosling will reunite with director Shawn Levy for the film. Separately, British actor David Jonsson, known for 'Alien: Romulus,' has been cast in Black Panther 3 as T'Challa's grown son, who will take on the mantle of the new Black Panther — representing a full succession storyline for the franchise. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler, who has also confirmed his return to the franchise. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has since explained in an exclusive interview how the studio arrived at the decision to cast Jonsson in the role. The film is set for a December 2028 theatrical release.
Why it matters
The castings signal a significant new direction for the MCU, bringing two high-profile actors into marquee superhero roles. Gosling's Ghost Rider in particular represents a long-sought match between actor and character that Marvel is now making official.
What's next
No release dates or further production details were reported by either source.
Key facts
- Ryan Gosling, age 45, has been cast as Ghost Rider in the MCU
- Gosling told the announcement crowd it is a role he has 'wanted to play for a long time'
- He reportedly spent several years pitching himself for the Ghost Rider role
- Gosling will work with director Shawn Levy, his collaborator on a recent Star Wars project
- David Jonsson has been cast as Black Panther in a separate MCU project
Bias & framing notes
Both sources report the same core facts and agree on the castings. The announcement appears to have been made publicly at a live event, lending it credibility. Neither source provides deep detail on the Black Panther casting beyond the name, and no official Marvel press release is cited directly. Coverage is celebratory in tone with no dissenting or contextualizing perspective.
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