Ryan Gosling Confirms Talks With Marvel About Ghost Rider Role

Ryan Gosling has confirmed that he has had real discussions with Marvel Studios about potentially playing Ghost Rider in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz on March 19, 2026, Gosling addressed the long-running rumors directly. While he stopped short of confirming any casting, he made it clear that conversations have taken place.

“Some discussions have been had. It’s a complicated situation… We’ll keep hope alive,” Gosling said.

The actor has openly expressed interest in the Spirit of Vengeance since 2022. During the interview, he explained his fascination with the character in simple terms, saying it’s “just a feeling,” before joking that he might just want to “set [his] face on fire.”

The conversation also included a personal connection to the role. Gosling’s partner, Eva Mendes, appeared in the 2007 Ghost Rider film as Roxanne Simpson alongside Nicolas Cage. Gosling joked, “I’m just happy one of us got to do it.”

Although no deal has been confirmed, Gosling’s comments suggest that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has at least explored the possibility. Feige previously said in 2022 that he would “love to find a place” for Gosling in the MCU.

Industry speculation points to scheduling as one of the main complications. Gosling is currently promoting Project Hail Mary and is also set to star in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, which could limit his availability.

There is also uncertainty about when Ghost Rider might appear in the MCU. Earlier rumors suggested a possible cameo in Avengers: Doomsday (December 2026), but recent reports indicate the character may have been removed from the current script to avoid overcrowding.

More recent speculation suggests Marvel could introduce Ghost Rider later, possibly in the post-Secret Wars era beginning in 2027. The character could play a central role in a potential Midnight Sons film alongside supernatural heroes like Blade and Moon Knight.

Another question is which version of Ghost Rider Marvel will use. Gosling is reportedly interested in playing Johnny Blaze, the most well-known version of the character. However, Gabriel Luna—who played Robbie Reyes in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—has said he is open to returning. There are also ongoing rumors that Nicolas Cage could appear as a legacy version of the character in Avengers: Secret Wars.

For now, Gosling’s update confirms that the idea is more than just fan speculation—but the future of Ghost Rider in the MCU remains undecided.