For years, Ghost Rider has occupied a unique place in Marvel history, evolving through multiple identities while remaining one of the publisher’s most enduring supernatural figures.
Although Johnny Blaze introduced readers to the Spirit of Vengeance in the 1970s, later characters such as Danny Ketch and Robbie Reyes transformed the mantle for new generations, each bringing different powers, origins and relationships with the demonic force behind the flaming skull.
That legacy has become especially relevant after Marvel Studios officially announced Ryan Gosling as the MCU’s Ghost Rider at San Diego Comic-Con, confirming the character’s long-awaited arrival in the franchise.
Which Ghost Rider is Ryan Gosling expected to play in the MCU?
Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed which Ghost Rider Ryan Gosling will portray, although Johnny Blaze is widely viewed as the most likely choice. During the studio’s San Diego Comic-Con announcement, Marvel revealed the actor would star in a standalone Ghost Rider film directed by Shawn Levy but deliberately kept the character’s identity a secret.
Johnny Blaze remains the frontrunner because he is the original and most recognizable Spirit of Vengeance. Introduced in 1972, he is a stunt motorcyclist who bonds with the demon Zarathos after making a deal with Mephisto, becoming Marvel’s iconic Ghost Rider. His popularity—and previous live-action appearances—make him a natural fit for the MCU.
However, Marvel also has other compelling options. Danny Ketch, who debuted in 1990, became one of the character’s most successful comic book successors, while Robbie Reyes, introduced in 2014, modernized Ghost Rider with his Hell Charger and already appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. portrayed by Gabriel Luna.
Until Marvel confirms Gosling’s alter ego, all three remain possibilities. Still, the combination of Blaze’s comic book legacy and Marvel’s recent emphasis on classic characters has made him the early favorite among fans and industry observers.