(Ryan Gosling as Holland March) from The Nice Guys and (Keanu Reeves as Kai) from 47 Ronin in front of an Avengers: Infinity War poster

Ryan Gosling and Keanu Reeves share a dream Marvel Cinematic Universe role, and the character has already been set up. The MCU has cast some major stars in recent years, including names such as Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher and Harrison Ford as the new Thunderbolt Ross. However, with the MCU’s slate of projects including many major films and series — and even more projects yet to be announced — Marvel could be looking to cast important roles in the near future.

MCU casting rumors have become a common thing, with the roster of 2025’s The Fantastic Four being the most recent cause of chatter among Marvel productions. With the MCU’s expansion across different corners — street-level, cosmic, and supernatural, to name a few — there are many huge characters from the comics that could soon debut, leading to perhaps some of the best MCU movies. After recent rumors claimed Ryan Gosling has joined the MCU and Keanu Reeves continues to be rumored for multiple characters, the fact the two actors share a dream Marvel role is interesting for their MCU casting chances.

Keanu Reeves And Ryan Gosling Both Want To Play Ghost Rider

The MCU’s Supernatural Corner Is Growing

Sam Elliott as Carter Slade/Ghost Rider sitting on a fiery horse in Ghost Rider (2007)

With the release of Disney+’s Werewolf by Night, Marvel Studios has taken its first major step towards establishing a supernatural corner of the MCU. That will continue with Mahershala Ali’s Blade — which is going through production issues — and other projects, and one of the major players of that side of the franchise could be Ghost Rider. The character is Reeves’ childhood dream Marvel role, with the John Wick actor saying, “10-year-old me would want to — I think he’d probably want to be Ghost Rider.”

While Reeves would love to give life to Ghost Rider in the MCU, Gosling is another actor who would be game to play the character. The star has commented on the role a few times, with Gosling recently reiterating his interest in playing the MCU’s Ghost Rider, saying, “I would love to, it would be amazing. Come in [and] be Ghost Rider.” Gosling was recently rumored to have joined the MCU, though Marvel and the actor have yet to confirm or deny those claims, which stand merely as rumors for now.

Keanu Reeves Vs Ryan Gosling: Who Would Be The Best MCU Ghost Rider?

One Of Them Would Be Perfect For Another Hero

Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers in a Cowboy Hat in The Fall Guy

Both Reeves and Gosling would make excellent choices to play Ghost Rider in the MCU. However, Keanu Reeves, as a grittier, veteran version of Johnny Blaze, would make for a great fit with the MCU’s supernatural side, especially since Blade actor Mahershala Ali is 50. Both actors could lead the MCU’s possible supernatural team of heroes, the Midnight Sons. Ryan Gosling could still join Marvel as Nova, with the actor having the looks and acting range to bring Richard Rider to life in the Nova series that Marvel is developing and beyond.