Ryan Gosling Teases Marvel Ghost Rider Role: "Some Discussions Have Been Had"

Key Takeaways

• Ryan Gosling confirmed he has had "some discussions" with Marvel Studios about playing Ghost Rider in the MCU.
• Marvel boss Kevin Feige previously expressed interest in casting Gosling, saying "I'd love to find a place for him in the MCU."
• The role was originally played by Nicolas Cage in the 2007 film, which coincidentally starred Gosling's partner Eva Mendes.
• Gosling is currently gearing up for Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy, premiering May 28, 2027.

Ryan Gosling may be headed to a galaxy far, far away with his upcoming Star Wars debut, but the actor has his sights set on another massive franchise: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the three-time Oscar nominee revealed that conversations with Marvel Studios about a potential role as Ghost Rider are more than just fan speculation.

"We'll keep hope alive," Gosling said. "Some discussions have been had. It's a complicated situation."

A Four-Year Courtship

The flirtation between Gosling and the Ghost Rider role dates back to 2022, when the actor first publicly expressed interest in playing the vengeance-seeking biker Johnny Blaze. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige was quick to respond with enthusiasm.

"Hey man, if Ryan wants to be Ghost Rider… Gosling's unbelievable," Feige told podcast host Josh Horowitz at the time, adding: "Ryan is amazing… I'd love to find a place for him in the MCU. He's dressed up as Ken on Venice Beach and gets more press than giant movies coming out that weekend. It's amazing."

The Nicolas Cage Connection

In an interesting twist, the role was originally brought to screen by Nicolas Cage in the 2007 Ghost Rider film — which also happened to star Gosling's real-life partner Eva Mendes as Johnny Blaze's childhood sweetheart Roxanne Simpson. Whether this personal connection adds to the "complicated situation" Gosling mentioned remains to be seen.

Star Wars First, Then Marvel?

Before any potential MCU debut, Gosling will first tackle his role in Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and set for a May 2027 theatrical release. The actor has been selective about franchise work throughout his career, crediting Levy's vision for finally convincing him to take the leap.

"I just avoided these things because they never felt right," Gosling explained. "And I'm glad I did because I feel like, similar to a book, it was worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Our Take

This is the kind of casting news that makes the internet collectively lose its mind — and for good reason. Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider is one of those rare fan-castings that actually makes sense. The actor has proven he can balance intensity with humor (hello, The Gray Man and Barbie), and Johnny Blaze demands exactly that duality: a tortured soul who also happens to ride a flaming motorcycle.

The fact that these "discussions" have been happening for four years suggests this isn't just Hollywood lip service. With Gosling now warming up to franchise filmmaking through Star Wars, the barrier that once kept him from these roles seems to be crumbling. If Marvel plays this right, they could have one of the most exciting character introductions in the MCU's next phase. The only question is timing — and whether the "complicated situation" Gosling alludes to is just scheduling, or something deeper.