Ryan Gosling officially joins Marvel as Ghost Rider for a 2028 film. David Jonsson is named the new Black Panther. Ryan Reynolds surprises Comic-Con in new Deadpool costume.
WEBDESK – MADIHA BHATTI – MEDIABITES NEWS
Opening of the Panel
Marvel Studios staged one of its most significant San Diego Comic-Con presentations in recent years.
Kevin Feige led the panel in Hall H and delivered a series of major announcements that reshaped several upcoming projects.
The evening combined long-awaited casting news, franchise expansion, and unexpected live moments that kept the audience fully engaged.
Ryan Gosling Confirmed as Ghost Rider
The biggest confirmation of the night came when Feige introduced Ryan Gosling as the new Ghost Rider.
Gosling walked onto the stage to a standing ovation after years of public speculation about his possible entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The actor has spoken openly about his interest in the character since 2022.
Feige had previously responded positively to the idea in earlier interviews.
On stage Gosling expressed genuine surprise and said: “Wow, is this really happening. As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time.”
Collaboration with Shawn Levy
The upcoming Ghost Rider film is scheduled for release in 2028.
Shawn Levy will direct the project.
Levy and Gosling are currently working together on Star Wars: Starfighter.
Levy told the Hall H audience that the two had spent considerable downtime on that set discussing Ghost Rider ideas and developing early concepts.
This marks a second major collaboration between the actor and the director after their previous successful work.
Ghost Rider Legacy
Nicolas Cage previously portrayed Ghost Rider in two films released by Sony Pictures in 2007 and 2011.
Those movies operated outside the main Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel has not yet announced which specific comic-book version of the character Gosling will play.
The studio left open the possibility of drawing from different iterations of the Spirit of Vengeance.
Black Panther 3 Announcement
Director Ryan Coogler appeared next and officially confirmed Black Panther 3.
The film is set for theatrical release on December 15, 2028.
Coogler introduced David Jonsson as the new lead, playing T’Challa II.
The character is the son of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa and Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, first introduced at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.
David Jonsson’s Introduction
David Jonsson addressed the crowd with visible emotion.
He is known for his recent roles in Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk.
Jonsson said: “Thank you to this family that I have the honor and the blessing to join.”
The casting continues Marvel’s approach of bringing fresh talent into established franchises while honoring the legacy of previous performers.
Ryan Reynolds’ Surprise Appearance
The panel’s most unexpected moment arrived when Ryan Reynolds appeared in the audience.
He wore a grey, comic-accurate Deadpool costume based on the character’s X-Force look that had never been seen on screen before.
Reynolds stayed fully in character, introducing himself as “Ricky” and interacting with the Avengers: Doomsday cast.
Deadpool Interaction with the Cast
Reynolds directed his first question at Paul Rudd.
He asked: “Where is Thor, and why was he crying?”
The line referenced an unresolved moment from Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024.
Rudd responded by saying Thor was crying because he is a Wrexham fan, referencing the football club co-owned by Reynolds.
Reynolds continued the bit by questioning the cast about the production schedule and potential additional photography.
He concluded in character with: “So there’s no additional photography, no overages, no last-minute additions? No further questions.”
Costume Details and Social Media Reaction
Reynolds later posted photographs of the costume on Instagram.
He nicknamed it “Jeanpool” because of the denim detailing and the Canadian flag patch on the chest.
Marvel has not officially confirmed Reynolds’ involvement in Avengers: Doomsday, leaving the appearance as a pure Comic-Con stunt for now.
Avengers: Doomsday Updates
The panel also included the first official look at Avengers: Doomsday.
The film is scheduled for release on December 18.
Marvel further announced that Avengers: Endgame from 2019 will return to cinemas on September 25.
The re-release will feature new footage that connects the earlier film to the upcoming Doomsday storyline.
Overall Impact of the Panel
The combination of major casting news, franchise expansion, and live theatrical moments made the panel one of the strongest in recent Marvel history.
Gosling’s entry as Ghost Rider opens a new anti-hero chapter for the studio.
David Jonsson’s casting continues the Black Panther legacy in a careful and respectful manner.
Reynolds’ unannounced appearance added pure entertainment value that Comic-Con audiences expect.
Industry Context
Marvel continues to balance legacy characters with new talent and unexpected live events.
The 2028 slate now includes both Ghost Rider and Black Panther 3, signaling a busy period of franchise rebuilding.
The decision to re-release Endgame with additional material also shows the studio’s interest in linking past and future stories more tightly.
Audience Reaction
Hall H responded with sustained applause and cheers throughout the presentations.
The confirmation of Gosling generated the loudest reaction of the night.
Jonsson’s emotional remarks received warm support, while Reynolds’ interruption produced sustained laughter and phone recordings from the crowd.
What Remains Unconfirmed
Marvel has not released a full plot synopsis for the Ghost Rider film.
The exact comic-book inspiration for Gosling’s version remains open.
Reynolds’ potential role in Avengers: Doomsday has not been officially confirmed despite the costume appearance.
Further details on both projects are expected in the coming months through additional marketing and interviews.
Closing Perspective
The San Diego Comic-Con panel delivered clear answers on two major casting questions and provided fans with fresh material for Avengers: Doomsday.
Ryan Gosling’s entry as Ghost Rider stands as the headline development.
David Jonsson’s introduction as the next Black Panther and Reynolds’ surprise appearance completed a night of high-impact entertainment news.
The announcements set a clear direction for Marvel’s late-2020s slate and generated immediate global conversation across social platforms and entertainment media.
