Marvel Studios announced major casting and release plans at San Diego Comic-Con, revealing that Ryan Gosling will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider in a 2028 standalone film directed by Shawn Levy, while Ryan Coogler confirmed that Black Panther 3 will arrive on December 15, 2028.
San Diego Comic-Con served as the launchpad for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to outline the trajectory of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through late 2028. The studio’s Hall H presentation balanced supernatural expansion with the continuation of its most celebrated Wakandan franchise, pairing high-profile casting additions with confirmed theatrical dates.
Ryan Gosling Takes the Helm in Ghost Rider
One of the most notable surprises from the panel was the confirmation that Ryan Gosling is joining the MCU as the supernatural antihero Ghost Rider. The 45-year-old Oscar nominee was revealed as the next actor to play Ghost Rider during Marvel’s highly anticipated Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. The standalone feature will be directed by Shawn Levy, with a theatrical release scheduled for 2028. Gosling’s fans greeted the announcement with enthusiasm inside Hall H, and fans were seen jumping with joy as he made the announcement.
The project reunites Gosling and Levy following their collaboration on Star Wars: Starfighter, which is slated to arrive in theaters in May 2027. During the Hall H panel, Levy looked back on his previous Comic-Con appearance for Deadpool & Wolverine and said returning to the same stage felt special because of the enthusiastic fans. Praising Gosling, Levy said working with the actor on Starfighter made him even more excited about bringing Ghost Rider to life. He added that when Gosling started discussing the Marvel character, he immediately wanted to make the film happen and promised fans they would see the result in 2028.
Gosling becomes only the second actor to portray Ghost Rider in a live-action film. Nicolas Cage previously played Johnny Blaze in 2007’s Ghost Rider and returned for the 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Ghost Rider remains one of Marvel’s most popular supernatural heroes. In the comics, motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze makes a deal with Mephisto to save his father’s life, but the bargain transforms him into the Spirit of Vengeance. Following Marvel Studios’ recovery of the character’s rights, the supernatural hero was touched upon in television via Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where Gabriel Luna played Robbie Reyes before a planned solo series was cancelled before production.
Black Panther 3 Secures a December 2028 Release Date
Wakanda’s cinematic future also received a firm timeline. Director Ryan Coogler took the stage to officially confirm that Black Panther III is slated for release on December 15th, 2028, with the film set for an exclusive theatrical release. Coogler was joined on stage by Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, who will reprise their roles as Shuri and M’Baku.
The filmmaker also introduced David Jonsson as the franchise’s new Black Panther, portraying T’Challa’s son. Coogler highlighted the narrative progression for the character during the panel presentation.
“The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great Chadwick Boseman played, our T’Challa, in that film. And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up [and] he comes of age.”
Ryan Coogler
Jonsson received a standing ovation from the crowd upon taking the stage, expressing gratitude to Coogler, Kevin Feige, and the broader studio family. Rather than revealing details about the character, the actor said he would let his performance speak for itself when the film reaches theatres.
Avengers: Doomsday and Returning Faces
Beyond the two major tentpoles, Marvel showcased a new Avengers: Doomsday trailer and seemed to reveal yet another cast member. Ryan Reynolds made a crowd appearance as Deadpool, standing up during the presentation to ask the film’s directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, if there was space for him in the movie. The directors said the film was basically done, but they might be able to work something out. Marvel also confirmed that Hayley Atwell is returning to the franchise as Peggy Carter.
By placing two of its most anticipated projects in the hands of filmmakers like Shawn Levy and Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios has set a clear theatrical blueprint stretching through late 2028.
