Robert Downey Jr. reacts to Ryan Gosling joining the MCU (exclusive)
Robert Downey Jr. reacts to Ryan Gosling joining the MCU (exclusive)
Wesley StenzelMon, July 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
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Robert Downey Jr. at San Diego Comic-ConCredit: Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyKey points -
Ryan Gosling is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider.
Robert Downey Jr. has a pitch for a crossover with Gosling’s forthcoming character.
Gosling’s Ghost Rider hits theaters in 2028.
Ryan Gosling is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and Robert Downey Jr. already has an idea for a crossover.
The Iron Man star shares his thoughts on the La La Land actor making his superhero debut during a conversation with Entertainment Weekly’s Gerrad Hall at EW’s 2026 San Diego Comic-Con Studio after the Marvel Studios panel on Saturday night.
“I want him and Spider-Noir with Nic to come back in, and be a motorcycle and sidecar,” Downey proposes.
Downey is referring to none other than Nicolas Cage, who recently portrayed Ben Reilly/The Spider in Prime Video’s Spider-Noir series. He previously played a slightly different iteration of the character in the 2018 animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Cage also portrayed Johnny Blaze, the titular supernatural superhero in 2007’s Ghost Rider, which coincidentally starred Gosling’s longtime partner, Eva Mendes, as Johnny’s girlfriend, Roxanne Simpson. Cage reprised the role in 2011’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Ryan Gosling; Ghost RiderCredit: Stephanie Augello/THR/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty; Marvel
If Downey gets his way, we’d have two Ghost Rider actors linking up for a goofy crossover where one of them isn’t playing Ghost Rider, but instead a different Marvel hero from a different cinematic universe.
Gosling’s casting was announced during Marvel Studios’ panel at SDCC’s Hall H on Saturday night. The Blade Runner 2049 actor appeared on stage during the event as the news broke.
“As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a long time,” Gosling told the crowd.
The film is being directed by Shawn Levy, who previously worked with Marvel Studios when he helmed 2024’s Deadpool and Wolverine. Levy also directed Gosling in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter.
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“We all agree Gosling is the absolute s‑‑‑.” Levy said at the panel, adding, “Let’s ride, we’ll see you in 2028.”
The MCU previously featured a different iteration of Ghost Rider, Robbie Reyes, in the ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with Gabriel Luna playing the character. Luna was tapped for his own spin-off series that ultimately never materialized.
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Elsewhere in his conversation with EW, Downey discusses how his new Avengers: Doomsday antagonist, Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom, compares to his previous Marvel character, Tony Stark/Iron Man.
“There’s the science thing and they’re considered pretty brilliant guys,” Downey says, “but Tony had the trauma that turned him into a hero and Doom’s got the exact opposite to where it takes the prowess of all of these folks to go up against him and it was a joy to behold.”
Downey also noted the bizarre sensation of playing against the rest of the Avengers stars rather than being a member of the super-team. “It was really weird to be on the other side of the bad guy mask because it’s such an isolated vibe,” the Oppenheimer star says. “I’m seeing them all socializing and stuff — and I am the enemy!”
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on Dec. 18.
Check out more of EW’s coverage from San Diego Comic-Con 2026.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
