Nicolas Cage Wishes Ryan Gosling Well as Ghost Rider Heads to Marvel
Nicolas Cage has a message for the man who will ride the flaming motorcycle next: good luck. Speaking at the premiere of his film Madden, Cage told The Hollywood Reporter that he is looking forward to seeing Ryan Gosling in the part.
"Ryan's going to do his thing with it and I'm looking forward to seeing it," Cage said. "Ryan knows how I feel about him as an actor; we've had nice conversations and we stay in touch."
Marvel announced the casting in July at Comic-Con, the big fan convention in San Diego. Gosling appeared in person on July 25 to say he will lead a new Ghost Rider film directed by Shawn Levy. "This is a character I've wanted to play for a very long time," he said on stage. Marvel used the same event to unveil Black Panther 3, according to Reuters.
Cage has played the character before. He starred as Johnny Blaze in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and came back for the 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Sony released both films. Gosling will be the third actor to play the role, and the new version will be a Marvel Studios production, bringing the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time.
There is a family link too. Eva Mendes, Gosling's wife, played Roxy in the 2007 film. After the casting news, she posted a message signed "Love, Roxy," which The Hollywood Reporter reported. The director of the 2007 film also said he was thrilled the character would finally join the Marvel universe.
Gosling had hinted at the project months earlier. In March, he teased talks with Marvel about the role, as Deadline reported. Ryan Reynolds has also said Cage's Ghost Rider was considered for a return in Deadpool & Wolverine.
The new film is currently dated for July 28, 2028. The Hollywood Reporter has also reported that Connor Storrie is in talks to play the villain opposite Gosling. Storrie broke out with the hockey drama series Heated Rivalry. Nothing about his role is signed yet.
Cage's own next release is also on the calendar. He plays John Madden in David O. Russell's Madden, which opens in limited theatres on November 11. Streaming on Prime Video starts on November 18.
For fans keeping score, the character now has a clear next chapter, with a release date more than a year and a half away. For now, the most public voice from the earlier films is wishing the new lead well.
