Months of speculation led to Marvel Studios finally inducting Ryan Gosling as the Ghost Rider during its Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend. The casting sees Gosling taking over the mantle from actor Nicolas Cage who first played the character in the 2007 film ‘Ghost Rider’.

Robert Downey Jr roots for Ghost Rider and Spider-Noir crossover

Following the actor’s official induction into the MCU as the antihero, Robert Downey Jr, is also making his MCU comeback as Doctor Doom, shared his thoughts about the casting and even suggested a crossover idea. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, following Marvel Studios’ panel, Downey Jr. shared his dream pairing. “I want him and Spider-Noir with Nic to come back in, and be a motorcycle and sidecar,” RDJ said.

Nicolas Cage’s history with Ghost Rider

The actor was referring to Nicolas Cage, who recently portrayed Ben Reilly/The Spider in Prime Video’s ‘Spider-Noir’ series. Cage previously voiced Spider-Man Noir in the 2018 Academy Award-winning animated film ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. Cage also has his own history with Ghost Rider, having played Johnny Blaze and reprised the role in 2011’s ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’.

Ghost Rider and Spider-Man team up

If Downey’s crossover pitch were ever to become a reality, it would not be uncommon for the crossover. According to comicbook lore, Ghost Rider and Spider-Man are iconic Marvel heroes who share occasional comic book team-ups, alternate universe mashups like the ‘Ghost Spider’ and have together taken on villains like the Hobgoblin and supernatural demonic entities.

Ryan Gosling on becoming new Ghost Rider

Gosling’s casting was officially unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. The actor, who has long been a fan-favourite choice to play Ghost Rider, expressed his gratitude during the event.“Wow, is this really happening?” Gosling told the audience. “As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time. So, Kevin, Josh Horowitz, Hall H, thank you.”The upcoming Ghost Rider film will mark Gosling’s second collaboration with director Shawn Levy after ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. While plot details have been kept under wraps, the film is expected to arrive in 2028. Meanwhile, rumours are rife that the actor will feature in the upcoming ‘Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’. Various leaks over the past months suggested that his character may soon be teaming up with the heros to take on Doom and his army.