Marvel Studios Announces Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider, David Jonsson as Black Panther and More At San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Hall H Panel

A Ryan Gosling Ghost Rider movie and the first Black Panther 3 cast announcements were among Marvel Studios’ big new-project reveals at San Diego Comic Con's famed Hall H.Although there wasn't much news on the X-Men front, this weekend's presentation by Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige did contain a few slivers of insight as to where the MCU is headed in the aftermath of Avengers: Doomsday (whose latest trailer dropped this week in the swirling wake of The Odyssey, to somewhat muted reception online) and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.In case you weren’t refreshing your social media feeds, we’ve got the breakdown on all three biggest bits of news out of the panel.A Fresh Ghost Rider Project Revs UpJesse Grant/Getty ImagesAfter many rumors and much speculation, Feige announced that the character of Ghost Rider will return to the MCU, this time played by Ryan Gosling. The film, helmed by Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy, will release in 2028. A writer has yet to be announced.This marks a reunion for Gosling and Levy after Star Wars: Starfighter and a return to Marvel for Levy after the previously mentioned Deadpool & Wolverine. What remains less clear at this point is which version of the Spirit of Vengeance Gosling will play. However, it’s most likely he’ll be the Johnny Blaze iteration, last portrayed by Nic Cage in the 2007 theatrical version, which also starred Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes (unclear if she’ll return for this).Also worth mentioning that Ghost Rider technically exists in the MCU already, as Gabriel Luna played the Robbie Reyes version of the character in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Although I’m not exactly sure how much of that series is or isn’t canon nowadays. Levy, a steady hand who doesn’t rock the boat too much, seems like an odd choice for a property and character who leans more metal than corporate-friendly. We are absolutely getting another Hall of Fame Ryan Gosling jacket out of this one; we'll see how the rest shakes out when Ghost Rider releases in 2028.Black Panther 3 Finds its New T'ChallaSAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 25: (L-R) Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios speak onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)Jesse Grant/Getty ImagesSinners Oscar winner Ryan Coogler will return to direct Black Panther 3, which is set to release on December 15, 2028. Reports from the panel state that Coogler will shoot the film on large-format celluloid film—i.e., 70mm, for you fans of Coogler breaking down aspect ratios.Critically, however, Coogler confirmed that Industry and Alien: Romulus actor David Jonsson will join the MCU as the new Black Panther. Jonsson will play an older version of T’Challa’s son, T’Challa Jr., who audiences last saw at the end of Wakanda Forever. Why and how he’s all grown up will likely be revealed in the aftermath of Avengers: Secret Wars and all of its (presumed) multiversal shenanigans. Letitia Wright joined Jonsson on stage to confirm her involvement in the film as well. It will be interesting to see how the two characters approach the mantle's legacy; Jonsson’s an inspired selection, and further proof that Industry casting director Julie Harkin absolutely cooked when selecting young talent for the HBO series.Black Panther 3 will also feature the MCU debut of Denzel Washington. The iconic actor initially spilled the beans about his involvement in the third film during his Gladiator 2 press run. Coogler later confirmed the news, stating, “I’ve been dying to work with Denzel. I’m hoping we can make that happen. I’ve got every intention of working with him on that movie.” However, Marvel didn’t make any announcement related to the actor’s official involvement in this round of news.Avengers: Doomsday Puts Reed and Doom Front and CenterAnthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Robert Downey Jr. and Pedro Pascal.Joe Scarnici/Getty ImagesThe whole cast of Doomsday appeared on stage to tease the film, and Pedro Pascal dropped a critical bit of info, revealing that we’ll see a bit more about Doom and Reed’s history in Doomsday. That was made all the more concrete with a clip that featured a conversation between the pair. Reed addresses his foe as Victor, before Doom states that “all of you [heroes] have stolen lives, and now you must give them back.” Fans of Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić’s Secret Wars event know that the crux of that story is really all about the dynamic between Doom and Reed, so hearing that relationship will remain intact is an encouraging note. Doom’s comment about stolen lives also supports the theory that Steve’s journey back to Peggy caused some sort of chaos in the timestream, which may have significantly affected Doom. The Russos also confirmed that Hayley Atwell will return as Peggy Carter, which seemed a given after the first teaser clip of Steve featured him with a child.Also, Ryan Reynolds showed up in a grey Deadpool costume to ask if there was going to be any “additional photography” on Doomsday. Probably not worth mentioning—unless he somehow is in the movie—in which case it is.