Ryan Gosling is officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider, the fiery, leather-clad antihero, in 2028.
Marvel Studios announced the casting during its Hall H panel at the San Diego Comic-Con, delighting fans who have long campaigned to see the iconic character enter the MCU.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige teased the reveal on stage, saying, "We keep secrets to maintain surprises," before addressing years of speculation surrounding both the character and Gosling.
Film host Josh Horowitz, who was in the audience, then asked the question fans had been waiting to hear: when would Gosling finally play Ghost Rider?
Moments later, the hall went dark as red "Ghost Rider" lettering lit up the screen and heavy music echoed through the auditorium.
When the lights came back on, Gosling walked onto the stage to a thunderous ovation.
"Wow. Is this really happening?" Gosling said. He thanked the audience and Feige, adding that Ghost Rider is a character he has wanted to play for a long time.
Gosling revealed that Shawn Levy was the only director he envisioned for the project. Levy is also directing him in the upcoming Lucasfilm film Star Wars: Starfighter.
Levy joined Gosling and Feige on stage, saying the pair had often discussed ideas for Ghost Rider while working together on Starfighter.
"As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing," Levy said, before ending with a line that brought the crowd to its feet: "Bro, let's ride."
Ghost Rider first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1967 as Carter Slade, a horse-riding Western hero later renamed Phantom Rider.
The character became widely known in 1972 with Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who makes a deal with the devil to save a loved one. By night, Blaze transforms into Ghost Rider, with his head engulfed in hellfire and a blazing skull.