Actor Ryan Gosling is ready to join another blockbuster franchise. Shortly after joining Shawn Levy‘s “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which hits theaters in May 2027, Marvel boss Kevin Feige announced that the “Project Hail Mary” actor will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider at the San Diego Comic Con panel held on Saturday night. It’s a role the actor has always wanted to play, but it also has a surprising connection to his partner, Eva Mendes.
On Saturday, July 25, fans gathered at Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic Con to see who would be the next actor to portray Ghost Rider. Marvel boss Kevin Feige announced that Ryan Gosling, fresh off the success of “Project Hail Mary,” would take over the role in an upcoming standalone movie.
The announcement was met with cheers from the audience. “As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a long time,” Gosling told the crowd.
How Eva Mendes Is Connected To His Ghost Rider Role
Ghost Rider was previously portrayed by “National Treasure” actor Nicolas Cage in the 2007 film. The movie also featured Gosling’s longtime partner Eva Mendes as Roxanne Simpson. Although Cage reprised his role in the 2011 sequel, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” Mendes did not return for that movie.
The 2007 film was not well received and has only a 28% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Scott Huver of Hollywood.com called it “the worst adaptation of a Marvel Comics hero yet,” while Mike Barnard of Future Movies UK said that “Cage needs to produce something special next to make up for crimes against cinema.”
However, not all critics hated the movie. Megan Basham of WORLD said, “This strange amalgamation of Texas Ranger lore, NASCAR bravado, and the-Devil-and-Daniel-Webster trickery keeps the campy fun revving just enough that you can’t completely hate it.”
This New Ghost Rider Will Be Directed By Shawn Levy
Shawn Levy, who directed the 2024 Marvel movie “Deadpool and Wolverine,” will be directing the new Ghost Rider film. He previously worked with Gosling in “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which will be released in theaters in May 2027.
During the Marvel panel at SDCC, Levy took the stage alongside Gosling and Feige. “I’m having the greatest flashback vibes here, because I was here two years ago when we showed Deadpool & Wolverine,” he told the crowd.
“I’ll never forget that night, because I was introduced to the greatest fans. Gosling is the absolute sh-t. I say that with tremendous respect,” he continued. “We spent a lot of time last year making Starfighter, and the opportunity as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, ‘Bro, let’s ride.’ We’ll see you in 2028!”
No release date has been scheduled for the new Ghost Rider movie.
Eva Mendes May Be Looking To Return To Acting
Although she starred in films such as 2003’s “2 Fast 2 Furious” and 2005’s “Hitch,” Eva Mendes has remained largely out of the public eye for quite some time. However, as The Blast previously reported, that may all be about to change.
One insider told Star Magazine that she is eager to explore new opportunities in the entertainment industry and let Gosling stay at home with the kids for a change. “She’s leaning on Ryan to pick up the slack at home and slow down his usually packed schedule,” the source shared. “Eva needs the free time to meet with filmmakers and studio executives and really see what is out there for her.”
Will She Appear In ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’?
There are rumors that she may be making an appearance in “Star Wars: Starfighter,” alongside her husband. There is also speculation that she might appear in “Fast Forever,” the next installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
Even though her appearance in “Starfighter” has not been confirmed, the source said that working on the movie has reignited her love of acting. “Eva rediscovered her taste for acting while making ‘Starfighter’ last year,” the insider divulged. “Now she wants to be in more films that her kids and their friends will actually enjoy and talk about.”
Mendes and Gosling met while filming “The Place Beyond the Pines” in 2012. They share two daughters together, but have remained fairly private about their relationship and their family life.
