Ryan Gosling is one of the favorites to play the MCU’s version of Ghost Rider, and a perfect piece of fan-made concept art is everything I want to see from the role. Ghost Rider is a fan-favorite Marvel antihero who has taken many guises as Spirits of Vengeance bind to myriad human hosts. One of the most popular human hosts is Johnny Blaze, who also happens to be the first Ghost Rider that Marvel Comics introduced, though other popular hosts include Danny Ketch and Robbie Reyes.

Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider debuted in Agents of SHIELD, though it remains unclear whether that particular show is MCU canon.

Marvel Studios has yet to confirm whether a Ghost Rider project is on the MCU release slate, but the popularity of the character and the growing roster of mystical Marvel characters like Blade and Mephisto suggests that it could be on the cards. If so, Gosling is one of several actors who have expressed interest in taking on the Ghost Rider mantle, joining the likes of Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus as a top pick among fans. While any one of these would be a great choice, this Ghost Rider art has made my decision.

Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider Art Shows Just How Convincing He’d Be In The Role

One eye-catching piece of art (originally created by 21xfour on Instagram) has been making the rounds on social media following rumors that Gosling has already been cast in the role. The art shows Gosling resembling the Johnny Blaze version of the character complete with the motorcycle leathers and chains typically donned by the stunt performer, and provides a convicing case for why the actor should have the role.

Suffice it to say that the artwork is stoking a lot of excitement about the possibility of Gosling’s MCU casting, which would follow reports that the Fall Guy star has recently been in talks with Marvel.

Other roles that fans have floated as being perfect for Gosling include Nova, a Marvel character that was recently confirmed to be starring in a future MCU solo project. Another suggestion is that he might join the cast of the MCU’s X-Men as Scott Summers, a character who is in dire need of a much bigger spotlight in his next live-action outing. The truth, however, is that Johnny Blaze is the perfect role for Gosling, who has a history of portraying similar characters.

Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider debuted in Agents of SHIELD , though it remains unclear whether that particular show is MCU canon.

Why Ghost Rider Is Ryan Gosling’s Best Potential MCU Casting

Johnny Blaze is a complicated character, but is most easily described as a no-nonsense loner with a history as a motorcycle stuntperson. Gosling’s iconic role as the Driver in 2011’s Drive draws significant parallels, while his role as an ex-motorcycle stuntperson, Luke, in The Place Beyond the Pines mirrors Johnny Blaze’s backstory. Gosling even most recently played a stuntperson in Fall Guy while his role as K in Bladerunner 2049 shows his ability to portray a tormented loner.

Needless to say, Gosling’s track record proves how capable he is of embodying the role of Johnny Blaze. Moreover, the very fact that he has expressed an interest in the role is a great sign for Gosling’s possible MCU future, as enthusiasm for the part has a lot to do with why Evans’ Steve Rogers, Hemsworth’s Thor, and Holland’s Peter Parker are so outstanding. Thankfully, even if Gosling isn’t cast as the MCU’s permanent Johnny Blaze, there is still a good chance he could appear in the role regardless.

The MCU’s Current Story Makes A Ryan Gosling Ghost Rider Appearance More Likely Than Ever

John Krasinsky’s appearance as Mr Fantastic in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness set a precedent for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Now that variants are roaming the multiverse in all shapes and sizes, there is no limit to the amount of cameos the MCU can get away with. The vast majority of the fan-service MCU variants that have appeared thus far have been of actors reprising roles such as the X-Men from Fox’s X-Men franchise and characters from Sony’s Spider-Man franchises. Yet Krasinski’s Mr. Fantastic proved that Marvel won’t shy away from vindicating popular fan-casts, either.

With that in mind, the prevailing theory is that Ryan Gosling or Keanu Reeves could at least cameo as Johnny Blaze variants in Avengers: Secret Wars. This possibility is compounded by the prospective impending debut of Mephisto – the figure responsible for connecting Ghost Rider with the Spirit of Vengeance. Whatever the case, the MCU stands to benefit significantly from capitalizing on the enthusiasm surrounding Gosling’s possible involvement.