Marvel Studios used Comic-Con to make the Ryan Gosling Ghost Rider casting official, placing the actor in a standalone film directed by Shawn Levy and aimed for release sometime in 2028. For a studio that treats calendar management like scripture, the useful bit is the date range: Ghost Rider is now part of Marvel’s 2028 movie plans, even if the company has not given it a specific day yet.
Levy is attached to direct the film after directing Deadpool & Wolverine, according to Marvel’s presentation. Gosling appeared onstage during the Comic-Con event, where Marvel framed the role as his entry into the MCU.
The company also put a firmer marker on another franchise. Director Ryan Coogler appeared at the event and confirmed that Black Panther III is scheduled for December 15, 2028. That gives Marvel two major 2028 items from the same Comic-Con appearance: a dated Black Panther sequel and a broader window for Ghost Rider.
When is Black Panther III coming out?
Black Panther III is set for December 15, 2028, according to Coogler’s Comic-Con announcement. Marvel also revealed that David Jonsson will play T’Chala’s son, who is being introduced as the franchise’s new Black Panther.
Jonsson is known for The Long Walk and Alien Romulus. Coogler introduced him as part of the Black Panther update, making the casting one of the more concrete franchise handoffs Marvel disclosed at the panel.
Marvel had more Avengers business to conduct, because of course it did. The studio showed a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, the next large-scale team-up film from directors Joe and Anthony Russo.
The Doomsday segment also included a bit of stage-managed ambiguity around Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds appeared in the crowd in character and asked the Russos whether there was space for him in the movie. The directors said the film was basically finished, but suggested they might be able to work something out.
That exchange is not the same thing as a clean casting announcement, and Marvel did not state a formal Deadpool role in Avengers: Doomsday in the material described. The confirmed return from that portion of the panel was Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter.
The announcements give Marvel fans a clearer 2028 map without answering every obvious question. Ghost Rider has a star, a director, and a year. Black Panther III has a date and a new Black Panther. Avengers: Doomsday has another trailer, a confirmed Peggy Carter return, and a Deadpool tease that Marvel left hanging in the most Marvel way possible.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.
