Ryan Goslingis one of the most accomplished and acclaimed actors working today. He has been the star of several high-profile films and worked with some of today’s best directors. He is an actor who immediately draws the attention of audiences and critics when he is on-screen. He has often been one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood and various studios have gone after him for franchises fromSuicide Squad,The Lone Ranger, and evenDoctor Strange,yet he has always turned them down.
Additionally,Gosling shot down casting rumorsthat he would appear as Nova in the MCU, which is unsurprising given his track trecord. Shooting down an MCU casting rumor is nothing new, but what was more interesting is that Gosling said there was a superhero he would like to play: Ghost Rider. This drew the interest of many fans, particularly noting that Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes starred in the 2007 filmGhost Rider. While it was just Gosling having fun, at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feige addressed Goslingby mentioning that they’d very much like to work with the actor.
Ryan Gosling in the MCU
While Gosling is not at this moment playing Ghost Rider, the fact that he has expressed interest in the part and that Feige wants Gosling for something suggests that talks may be in the works. While there are many incarnations ofGhost Rider, the most popular is Johnny Blaze, which was created by writer Gary Friedrich, artist Mike Ploog, and Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Roy Thomas in 1972. The character’s iconic design of a flaming skull on a motorcycle made him an instant favorite with fans and became a mainstay in the Marvel Universe.
The character received two film adaptations, with Nicolas Cage playing the titular role in 2007’sGhost Riderand then in 2012’sGhost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The rights have since reverted to Marvel Studios, and while hinted at onAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.both with the Robbie Reyes incarnation of the character but also a cameo by Johnny Blaze’s Ghost Rider, the character has yet to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe properly.
However, it appears Marvel Studios is investing far more in their supernatural and horror-based characters like Blade and Moon Knight, meaning Ghost Rider likely isn’t far behind. With Gosling throwing his name into the ring, here is why he is the perfect choice for Ghost Rider in the MCU.
Gosling Has Started Working In More Franchise Movies
For most of his career, Gosling has been known for smaller, more character-centric projects over big blockbusters. While some of his films likeThe NotebookandCrazy Stupid Lovehad mainstream appeal, andLa La Landbroke out with audiences, most of his career has been defined by taking on unconventional roles.Lars and the Real Girlplayed against his leading man status,Drivewas marketed as an action film but was a quieter and more moody experiment than audiences were expecting,Half Nelsonfound him as a scrawny crack cocaine user, andFirst Manwas much sterner and more different from the awards-contending, traditional Hollywood biopic many likely expected. He has dabbled in potential franchises before though, with bothThe Nice GuysandBlade Runner 2049, and while those garnered a lot of critical acclaim they underperformed at the box office.
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In recent years, likely because he has kids, Gosling has started to experiment in more franchise roles. Gosling most notablywill appear as Ken inBarbie,set for release in July 2023, and he recently appeared in the action filmThe Gray Manon Netflix, which has beengreenlit for a sequel with Gosling. He is also set toappear in a remake ofThe Wolfmanfor Universal Pictures, and Gosling is very hands-on with crafting that film, bringing on frequent collaborator Derek M. Cianfrance (who directed Gosling inBlue ValentineandThe Place Beyond the Pines). Gosling’s interest inGhost Ridersuggests the actor is looking to grow his filmography, not only taking on a superhero role but being part of a franchise that is popular with families all over the world.
Actors Have Pitched Themselves To Marvel and Been Cast
While Gosling saying he would like to be Ghost Rider would normally be wish fulfillment, Gosling being cast as Ghost Rider would not be the first time an actor has campaigned for a Marvel Studios role. When it was first announced Marvel was developing a movie based on Shang-Chi, Simu Liu posted on Twitter how he wanted the role. While that was not the reason he got cast in the part, it certainly was a case of an actor pitching themselves to Marvel.
Most famously though, Mahershala Ali reportedly approached Marvel Studios after winning his second Academy Award.He pitched Marvel Studios on Blade, and while the character was likely one Marvel Studios was considering, Ali using his prestige to approach Marvel Studios for the part likely made the studio bump the project up in terms of priority. While Gosling might not have the number of awards Ali does, he has a respectable film career with prestigious and critically acclaimed roles that make him a high priority for any studio.
Gosling Has Worked With Many Marvel Studios Directors
Looking at Gosling’s filmography, one notices the actor has worked with many people who would go on to become important figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role inHalf Nelsonwhich was directed by futureCaptain Marveldirectors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. He starred inThe Nice GuysbyIron Man 3director Shane Black. Most recently, he starred inThe Gray Manfrom Marvel Studio’s mainstaysThe Russo Brothers.
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Gosling seemed to have a great time working with those filmmakers, and they likely had a great time working with him, and while it is not exactly likely that any of the mentioned filmmakers would helm a Ghost Rider movie or that Gosling would work with them in the MCU, they all certainly could put in a good word for him.
Gosling Fits the Tone of Other Marvel Supernatural Heroes
Marvel goes for the approach of the best actor for a role, however, one does see trends pop up in the studio’s history. Certain characters or a subset of characters are often cast with more comedic actors, while sometimes they go for unknowns, and in some cases, they want a big star. The supernatural side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is being filled up with not just high-profile stars but serious character actors who are often awards contenders.
Gosling was considered for the role of Doctor Strange, and the role eventually went to Benedict Cumberbatch. Marvel cast Oscar Isaac, one of the best-regarded actors working today, as Moon Knight. Gael García Bernal has been cast in the Halloween special, with the main rumors pointing that it will bethe character Werewolf by Night. As mentioned previously, Mahershala Ali has won two Academy Awards and will be leadingBlade. If the plan is to unite the various monster heroes into some team be it the Legion of Monsters or the Midnight Suns, Ghost Rider needs a particularly high-profile respected actor, and Gosling fits the bill.
Marvel Studios doesn’t just cast one film; they are casting for the future and how a certain star and performer will play off another character and their performers. In many ways, the Marvel team-up films have become the equivalent of the big all-star cast spectacles like It’sA Mad Mad Worldor the 1974Murder on the Orient Express,being a showcase to see various actors work alongside one another. Gosling already worked alongside Isaac inDrive, but the prospect of seeing Gosling share the screen with Ali, Isaac, and Bernal is an appealing draw to any audience member, even ones not interested in Marvel superhero movies.
Gosling also fits the bill because of his extensive experience with vehicles in films. Ghost Rider is often associated with a motorcycle (Johnny Blaze being a stunt motorcyclist), and Gosling mastered that vehicle in the filmThe Place Beyond the Pines. His work inDrive, as well, shows the actor’s obvious affinity for vehicles and chase sequences. Putting Gosling on a motorcycle in the MCU seems like a no-brainer.
Ghost Rider Needs a New Image
Ghost Rider joining the MCU is an interesting case for Marvel Studios. Unlike characters such as Iron Man, Thor, Shang-Chi, or The Guardians of the Galaxy who Marvel got to cast the first incarnations of, Ghost Rider has already been featured in not just one movie, but two films both featuring one of the most famous and prolific actors around, Nicolas Cage. Recasting a part that audiences already know is difficult, and Ghost Rider not only was played by a famous star but those two earlier Ghost Rider films are not well regarded by fans or general audiences. To general audiences, that is their association with the character and that is an obstacle Marvel will have to overcome, to get people back on board with this character and concept.
Casting Gosling as Ghost Rider sends a very clear picture to audience members that this will be a very different version of the character than they are used to. Gosling’s involvement also signals this movie will be special as the actor has notoriously been very particular about what projects he takes on. Gosling as Ghost Rider could mark an exciting new chapter for the iconic character.
