Everything we know about Ryan Gosling’s possible casting in the MCU has emerged over several years of rumors and speculation. Ryan Gosling is one of several major actors who want to be in comic book movies, but who have yet to score an MCU role despite expressing interest. The fact that so many stand-out superheroes and villains have yet to debut in the MCU timeline is therefore good news for Gosling and his fans, though whether the actor would be keen to stick to the role for the long haul like Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark remains to be seen.
The MCU’s upcoming release slate has most of its most prominent casting decisions confirmed – such as the Fantastic Four and Blade – but the climactic movies of the Multiverse Saga have sparked rampant speculation surrounding potential cameos and debuts. Ryan Gosling’s most prominently rumored role, meanwhile, would set him up as a new MCU character, yet one that has been conspicuously absent from the franchise thus far. Nevertheless, while rumors about his involvement have ramped up in recent weeks, they contribute to a long history of speculation that started a decade ago.
The Role Ryan Gosling Reportedly Spoke To Marvel About
Way back in 2014, Ryan Gosling was reportedly in talks to play the titular role in 2016’s Doctor Strange (via The Hollywood Reporter). As is the case for many of Marvel’s most celebrated casting decisions, it is now difficult to imagine anyone other than Benedict Cumberbatch in the role. Still, the Sherlock star was barely rumored to be in the running at the time Gosling was eyeing it.
Gosling’s involvement in Doctor Strange got far enough for official concept art to emerge.
Gosling’s chance of becoming the Sorcerer Supreme fizzled out due to reasons that remain unclear. Yet THR reports that it wouldn’t be the first time that he turned down a superhero role, after yielding the chance to be Hal Jordan in 2011’s Green Lantern to Ryan Reynolds. Although he may not have been right for Doctor Strange, Gosling has recently expressed his enthusiasm to portray another mystical Marvel hero in the MCU instead.
Ryan Gosling’s Dream MCU Role
Ryan Gosling’s dream MCU role is Johnny Blaze, AKA Ghost Rider. He admitted as much in an interview with MTV News’ Josh Horowitz two years ago (via X/Twitter) after refuting rumors that he would play the MCU’s Nova.
This dream role perfectly suits Gosling, who has a celebrated track record of playing similar characters to Johnny Blaze in movies like Drive and The Place Beyond the Pines. It also sparked the as-yet unsubstantiated rumor that has picked up steam in recent weeks, which posits that he has already been cast in the role.
Despite Gosling shooting down rumors of his Nova role in 2022, they have also recently reignited with confirmation that Marvel Studios has begun work on a Nova series. This tracks with Gosling being popularly fan-cast in the role of Nova. Nevertheless, Ghost Rider remains the most likely role for the actor – especially given Kevin Feige’s past enthusiasm about bringing Gosling on board.
What Kevin Feige Has Said About Casting Ryan Gosling In The MCU
Kevin Feige responded just days after Gosling expressed his desire to portray Ghost Rider in a chat with MTV News at Comic-Con (via Variety). When presented with news of Gosling’s preference, Feige responded “Hey man, if Ryan wants to be Ghost Rider…“ He was then told that Norman Reedus – another popular Ghost Rider fan-cast – is interested in the role, which he noted, before making Gosling’s casting the more likely of the two by adding:
Gosling’s unbelievable. Ryan is amazing…I’d love to find a place for him in the MCU. He’s dressed up as Ken on Venice Beach and gets more press than giant movies coming out that weekend. It’s amazing.
In 2022, Feige would have been referencing the highly publicized set photos of Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie as Ken and Barbie dressed in luminous clothing on Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
Why Ryan Gosling Is So Frequently Linked To The MCU
Ryan Gosling is bona fide Hollywood royalty at this point, especially after starring in 2023’s highest-grossing movie, Barbie. The fact that he has also expressed an interest in taking on superhero roles – whether they came to fruition or not – also speaks volumes, and helps to stoke enthusiasm for his involvement. None of that is to mention the fact that Gosling is a proven talent whose MCU involvement has the potential to be widely revered.
With that in mind, it is easy to see Ryan Gosling making huge waves should his casting be officially announced. Should the potential for Gosling’s excitement for the role of Ghost Rider be capitalized on, then the actor could well serve as one of the MCU’s most prominent stars in a central role, following in the footsteps of Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. In the wake of a disappointing 2023, this kind of star power could be exactly what the MCU needs.
