Nicolas Cage turned a motorcycle into Satan's personal fireworks display in 2007's Ghost Rider. His Johnny Blaze sold his soul, sprouted a flaming skull, and attacked demons with enough theatrical fury to frighten the nearest fire extinguisher. Critics questioned the movies, but Cage committed to every supernatural tantrum, returning for 2012's Spirit of Vengeance.

Nearly two decades after that blazing detour, Marvel has recruited Ryan Gosling to inherit the mantle. And Cage? The original big-screen rider has offered his successor a warm welcome.

Complete with an unlikely Hollywood connection and an endorsement worthy of a ceremonial flaming chain.

The Spirit of Vengeance has changed riders, and Hollywood's hottest motorcycle comes with a friendly handover. At the Madden premiere on November 4, Nicolas Cage addressed Ryan Gosling's casting to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Ryan’s going to do his thing with it and I’m looking forward to seeing it,” he said.

Cage said he and Gosling have enjoyed conversations and remain in contact. He respects Gosling as an actor, felt happy about the casting, and wished him luck. Remarkably wholesome for a skull dispensing supernatural punishment. There is a personal connection. Gosling's partner, Eva Mendes, played Roxanne Simpson opposite Cage in the 2007 original.

Marvel announced Gosling's film at San Diego Comic-Con, with Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy steering and Jonathan Tropper writing. Gosling described the character as a longtime ambition. The movie arrives July 28, 2028, while Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie remains in talks to play its villain.

Before Gosling fires up his supernatural engine, however, Levy has another galaxy to navigate with him.

Ryan Gosling leads Star Wars: Starfighter as Kade Auberon, a cynical rogue confronted by his mysterious past. Set around five years after The Rise of Skywalker, Shawn Levy's standalone adventure follows Kade into dangerous territory alongside a young companion played by Flynn Gray.

D23 footage introduced the pair beside a decommissioned spacecraft reputed to be astonishingly fast. After Kade restores the vessel, the preview launches into alien landscapes, flying droids, and interstellar trouble. Apparently, Gosling's career now requires a helmet in every conceivable universe. 

Amy Adams, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Daniel Ings, and Jamael Westman join the cast. Jonathan Tropper wrote the screenplay, giving Levy and Gosling another collaboration ahead of their Marvel reunion. Lucasfilm has scheduled Starfighter for May 28, 2027, celebrating the original Star Wars film's fiftieth anniversary. 

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Will Gosling conquer the stars before lighting up Marvel's highways? What do you think of Cage's blessing? Let us know in the comments.