The MCU has never struggled to introduce new heroes, but acknowledging its own past has often proved far more complicated. Ryan Gosling is officially bringing Ghost Rider into Marvel Studios’ next chapter, yet his arrival has reignited an old question surrounding the franchise’s forgotten other riders. As Johnny Blaze prepares to race into the MCU, fans are once again looking over Marvel’s shoulder to see whether its earlier Riders will finally be part of the journey.

But will the MCU recognize Marvel's other Riders? Here's everything you need to know about the Gosling's upcoming Ghost Riders?

Marvel may not have to choose between Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider and the Spirits of Vengeance who came before him. Since Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. never revealed the face of the Ghost Rider who empowered Robbie Reyes, Marvel could easily establish Gosling’s Johnny Blaze as that very Rider. If the studio opts for a fresh direction instead, Danny Ketch offers an equally comic-accurate alternative without rewriting Robbie’s story. Either way, Ghost Rider’s return presents Marvel with its best chance yet to finally settle Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s place in the MCU canon.

That debate has only intensified since Marvel officially confirmed Ghost Rider at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Ryan Gosling will make his superhero debut as Johnny Blaze, with Shawn Levy directing from Jonathan Tropper’s screenplay after the actor pitched his vision directly to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Set for 2028, the film will chart Blaze’s transformation into the Spirit of Vengeance while opening the door to the MCU’s darker supernatural corner alongside heroes like Blade and Moon Knight.

'Ghost Rider' Release Date: Everything We Know About Ryan Gosling's Debut Marvel Movie

But Ghost Rider is only one stop on Ryan Gosling’s rapidly expanding blockbuster journey.

Before stepping into Marvel’s supernatural world, Ryan Gosling will first lead Star Wars: Starfighter, Shawn Levy’s standalone adventure set five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Written by Jonathan Tropper, the film leaves the Skywalker Saga behind to explore an entirely new era of the galaxy, centering on an elite pilot tasked with protecting a mysterious young boy from relentless enemies. Filming wrapped in the United Kingdom and Sardinia late last year, with the project now on course for its May 28, 2027 theatrical release.

Gosling plays a battle-hardened starfighter pilot whose mission to protect his young nephew gradually evolves into something much larger. Along the way, he crosses paths with Mia Goth’s enigmatic mercenary before confronting Matt Smith’s ruthless galactic warlord, while Flynn Gray takes on the pivotal role of the boy at the heart of the story. With Amy Adams, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, and Daniel Ings rounding out the ensemble, Starfighter is shaping up to launch an entirely new chapter in the Star Wars universe.

 Whether the studio reconnects with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or chooses an entirely new path, one thing is clear, Ghost Rider’s return has reignited a conversation fans have refused to let die.

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Do you think Marvel should connect Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or start with a clean slate? Let us know in the comments.