Marvel Studios has officially confirmed Ryan Gosling as the star of a new Ghost Rider film and David Jonsson as the new Black Panther. Both announcements were made during Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026.
Ghost Rider is planned for theatrical release in 2028, although Marvel has not announced an exact date. Black Panther 3, directed by Ryan Coogler, is currently scheduled for December 15, 2028. Several other details now circulating in search results and social posts—including Gosling’s exact Ghost Rider identity and how Jonsson’s casting affects Shuri—remain unconfirmed.
Key confirmed details
- Ryan Gosling will star in Marvel Studios’ new Ghost Rider film.
- Shawn Levy will direct Ghost Rider, with Jonathan Tropper writing the screenplay.
- Marvel has announced a 2028 theatrical window for Ghost Rider, but no exact day or month.
- David Jonsson has been announced as the new Black Panther.
- Ryan Coogler will direct Black Panther 3, currently scheduled for December 15, 2028.
The central casting, directing and release details are supported by Disney’s official Marvel Studios Comic-Con recap, Marvel’s separate Ghost Rider announcement and Marvel’s Hall H recap.
What Marvel confirmed about Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider
Marvel confirmed that Gosling will lead a new Ghost Rider film directed by Shawn Levy. Jonathan Tropper is writing the screenplay, and the film is intended for theatrical release in 2028.
The announcement makes Gosling’s involvement official after years of fan speculation linking him to the character. It also reunites him with Levy following their work on Star Wars: Starfighter.
| Ghost Rider detail | Status | What readers should know |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Gosling stars | Confirmed | Marvel officially announced Gosling as the film’s lead. |
| Shawn Levy directs | Confirmed | Levy is officially attached as director. |
| Jonathan Tropper writes | Confirmed | Marvel identifies Tropper as the screenwriter. |
| Release timing | Confirmed in part | The film is planned for 2028, but Marvel has not announced an exact date. |
| Gosling plays Johnny Blaze | Not confirmed | The official announcements checked do not name Gosling’s Ghost Rider incarnation. |
| Appearance in Avengers: Doomsday | Not confirmed | No official appearance was announced in the sources reviewed. |
Which Ghost Rider is Ryan Gosling playing?
Marvel has confirmed that Gosling will play Ghost Rider, but it has not said whether he will portray Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch or another host of the Spirit of Vengeance.
Some entertainment reports and search-result summaries identify him as Johnny Blaze. Until Marvel directly names the character, that description should be treated as reported or assumed rather than officially confirmed.
When is the new Ghost Rider movie releasing?
Marvel has announced only a 2028 theatrical release window. No exact calendar date has been published.
Any specific day or month circulating without a direct Marvel or Disney announcement should be treated as unverified. The current 2028 window may also change as Marvel updates its release schedule.
What Marvel confirmed about Black Panther 3
Marvel has announced David Jonsson as the new Black Panther. Ryan Coogler will return to direct the third film, which is currently scheduled to reach theatres on December 15, 2028.
Jonsson is known for projects including Industry and Alien: Romulus. His casting introduces a new central figure into the franchise, but Marvel has not yet explained how the Black Panther mantle will be handled across the film or what his arrival means for Shuri.
| Black Panther 3 detail | Status | What readers should know |
|---|---|---|
| David Jonsson is the new Black Panther | Confirmed | Disney and Marvel identify Jonsson as the new Black Panther. |
| Ryan Coogler directs | Confirmed | Coogler returns after directing the first two films. |
| Release date | Confirmed | The film is currently scheduled for December 15, 2028. |
| Jonsson plays T’Challa’s adult son | Reported | People and other entertainment publications identify him as the adult son introduced in Wakanda Forever. |
| Jonsson replaces Shuri throughout the film | Not confirmed | Marvel has not explained how the Black Panther mantle will change hands. |
| Shadows of Wakanda is the official title | Not confirmed | No official subtitle was found in the Marvel and Disney announcements reviewed. |
| A public trailer has been released | Not confirmed | No official public trailer was identified in the sources checked. |
Is David Jonsson playing T’Challa’s son?
Marvel’s official recap identifies Jonsson as the new Black Panther but does not name his character in the relevant announcement. People reports that he will play T’Challa’s adult son, the child introduced as Toussaint at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
This distinction is important. Jonsson’s status as the new Black Panther is directly confirmed by Marvel and Disney. His precise character identity is supported by credible entertainment reporting but was not stated in the principal Disney recap checked for this article.
Does David Jonsson’s casting mean Shuri is no longer Black Panther?
Not necessarily. Marvel has not explained how the mantle will change hands or whether more than one Black Panther may appear during the story.
Letitia Wright appeared during the Comic-Con presentation, and entertainment reporting says she will return as Shuri. Her exact role—and whether she remains Black Panther during part of the film—has not yet been fully explained.
Popular claims Marvel did not announce
Search suggestions, fan discussions and social posts are already mixing official announcements with assumptions. Based on the official material checked for this article, Marvel has not announced:
- that Ryan Gosling is specifically playing Johnny Blaze;
- that Ghost Rider will appear in Avengers: Doomsday;
- an exact release date for Ghost Rider;
- the full cast, villain or plot for Ghost Rider;
- Shadows of Wakanda as the official title of Black Panther 3;
- that David Jonsson replaces Shuri throughout the entire film;
- a public Black Panther 3 trailer;
- a Netflix or streaming release date for either film.
Ghost Rider and Black Panther 3 compared
| Project | Confirmed lead | Director | Release timing | Main unanswered question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost Rider | Ryan Gosling | Shawn Levy | 2028; exact date not announced | Which Ghost Rider incarnation will Gosling play? |
| Black Panther 3 | David Jonsson as the new Black Panther | Ryan Coogler | December 15, 2028 | How will Jonsson’s role relate to Shuri and the existing mantle? |
What happens next?
The next meaningful Ghost Rider updates are likely to include Gosling’s character identity, an exact release date, additional casting, production details and the first official footage.
For Black Panther 3, Marvel may later confirm Jonsson’s character name, explain Shuri’s role, announce the wider returning cast and reveal the official title or first public trailer.
ThePulseSignal will update this article only when Marvel, Disney or another reliable direct source provides material new information.
Verification and methodology note
ThePulseSignal manually checked Disney’s official Marvel Studios Comic-Con recap, Marvel’s separate Ghost Rider announcement and Marvel’s Hall H recap at approximately 9:54 AM IST on July 26, 2026.
The official pages directly confirmed Ryan Gosling’s casting, Shawn Levy’s role as director, Jonathan Tropper’s involvement as screenwriter, the 2028 release window for Ghost Rider, David Jonsson’s status as the new Black Panther, Ryan Coogler’s return and the December 15, 2028 release date for Black Panther 3.
ThePulseSignal also reviewed People’s report identifying Jonsson as T’Challa’s adult son. Because that precise character identification was not stated in the principal Disney recap reviewed, the article labels it as reported rather than directly confirmed by Marvel.
ThePulseSignal did not attend the Hall H presentation, review private studio materials or access unreleased footage. Google autocomplete, search-result summaries, AI Overviews, Reddit posts and social discussions were used only to identify reader questions and circulating claims; they were not treated as factual evidence.
What remains unconfirmed: Ryan Gosling’s exact Ghost Rider identity, an exact Ghost Rider release date, any appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, the full casts and plots, the official Black Panther 3 subtitle, how Jonsson’s casting affects Shuri and whether a public trailer has been released.
Article last verified: July 26, 2026 at approximately 9:54 AM IST.