Marvel Drops a Double Bombshell: Gosling’s Ghost Rider and a New Black Panther
San Diego Comic-Con just delivered its most consequential roadmap update in years. Inside Hall H on July 28, 2026, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed two standalone 2028 tentpoles: Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling joining the universe as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider, and director Ryan Coogler introducing David Jonsson as the grown Prince T’Challa II in Black Panther 3.
Explore official panel footage via the official Marvel news hub or track production trades through the major film registries.
Why Gosling as Johnny Blaze is a watershed moment
Gosling will play motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze in a standalone supernatural horror-thriller from director Shawn Levy — the payoff of a multi-year passion project the actor had chased, and a jolt of occult flavor for the franchise.
The reveal ends years of speculation about a Gosling superhero debut. Feige told the crowd the idea sparked during late-night banter between Gosling and Levy on the set of their upcoming sci-fi project. Levy recalled the actor pitching a gritty vision for the demonic rider — a man who trades his soul to save his father, only to be bonded to a fiery enforcer wielding hellfire chains. Tropper’s brief is to build an occult narrative rooted in supernatural horror rather than standard cosmic tropes.
How the supernatural corner has evolved
The studio’s approach to its darker characters has shifted from licensed experiments toward fully integrated, mature entries.
In 2007 and 2011, Sony produced two standalone films starring Nicolas Cage in the part. They earned a cult following for Cage’s unhinged energy but drew low critical marks and dated visual effects. Later, Marvel Television introduced Gabriel Luna as Robbie Reyes on ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., though a planned solo streaming series was scrapped in 2019 before production.
The property returns as an elite theatrical centerpiece. Helmed by Levy — who grossed over $1.3 billion with Deadpool & Wolverine — the new feature is being built around practical stunt work, rated-R horror elements and high-end prestige. Gosling becomes only the second feature lead to embody the flaming skull on the big screen.
David Jonsson steps into the Wakandan crown
Jonsson will play the grown-up Prince T’Challa II in a coming-of-age story from Ryan Coogler, arriving December 15, 2028 and shot entirely on large-format celluloid film.
Lead character
- David Jonsson as Prince T’Challa II
- Son of the late King T’Challa and Nakia
- Inherits the royal crown and suit
Production tech
- Large-format 70mm celluloid
- Directed by Ryan Coogler
- Co-stars: Wright, Duke, Washington
The Hall H crowd gave a standing ovation as the 32-year-old British actor stepped onstage alongside Coogler, Letitia Wright (Shuri) and Winston Duke (M’Baku). Coogler explained that after introducing young Toussaint — raised secretly in Haiti by Nakia — in the emotional mid-credits scene of 2022’s Wakanda Forever, this chapter jumps ahead to the young prince coming of age to claim his father’s heritage.
Feige disclosed that Coogler held a confidential meeting with Jonsson five months earlier, after being struck by his magnetic turns in Industry, Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk. Oscar winner Denzel Washington has also been cast, in a part the director wrote specifically to suit him.
Why formats and darker themes define the 2028 slate
Marvel is giving each 2028 title a distinct visual and tonal identity to fight franchise fatigue — analog celluloid for Wakanda, practical occult horror around the flaming stuntman.
| Feature | Visual format | Strategic target |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Rider | Digital / IMAX | Expanding the R-rated occult genre |
| Black Panther 3 | Analog celluloid | Sustaining a $2B+ franchise legacy |
Shooting the third Wakandan installment on large-format celluloid is a first for the series. Inspired by the box-office success of 70mm IMAX releases like Oppenheimer, Coogler is using analog stock to capture Wakanda’s landscapes and vibrant architecture with rich texture. Meanwhile, leaning into occult horror with Gosling lets the studio widen its mature offerings alongside Blade and Deadpool, courting adults who want visceral, character-driven storytelling.
How to follow the road to 2028
For fans tracking casting calls, set photos and teaser drops, keep these checkpoints bookmarked:
- Watch script development: follow Jonathan Tropper’s updates as pre-production writing wraps after Levy’s press tour.
- Track camera rigging tests: watch IMAX and Kodak trade releases covering breakdowns of Coogler’s camera setups in Atlanta and Africa.
- Watch for a name reveal: keep an eye out for the official reveal of Denzel Washington’s Wakandan role.
- Follow late-2028 pre-sales: mark the autumn window when early IMAX 70mm queues open nationwide.