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Marvel Studios has officially tapped Ryan Gosling to portray Johnny Blaze, better known as Ghost Rider, in a new standalone film slated for release in 2028.

The casting was unveiled during the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, confirming months of speculation that the Oscar-nominated actor was in talks to join the superhero franchise.

For Ryan, taking on Ghost Rider is a longtime goal finally coming to life.

"Wow, is this really happening?" he told fans after appearing onstage to a roaring reception. He added that Ghost Rider is a character he has "wanted to play for a very long time."

The actor first hinted at the possibility in March during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, where he revealed he had been discussing a Marvel project.

Marvel's upcoming adaptation revisits one of the publisher's most recognizable antiheroes. In the comics, Johnny Blaze is a motorcycle stunt performer who gains supernatural powers after striking a deal with Mephisto to save his surrogate father. The bargain binds him to the Spirit of Vengeance, Zarathos, transforming him into Ghost Rider.

The 2028 release will be the franchise's third live-action Ghost Rider film. Nicolas Cage previously portrayed the fiery vigilante in 2007's Ghost Rider before reprising the role in the 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Directing the film is Shawn Levy, who recently helmed Deadpool & Wolverine. Levy is also collaborating with Ryan on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, and according to the filmmaker, the idea for Ghost Rider grew out of their frequent conversations while working together.

"As Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing, and I finally said, 'bro, let's ride,' so guys, we'll see you in 2028," Levy said.

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