> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Marvel Studios keeps it simple at SDCC, announcing Gosling as Ghost Rider and David Jonsson for ‘Black Panther III’ - URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/popculturology-special-edition-marvel-sdcc-2026/ - Published: 2026-07-26T02:09:03.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-31T13:21:37.000Z - Description: Shawn Levy will helm ‘Ghost Rider,’ while Ryan Coogler returns to ‘Black Panther’ with a new actor ready to take the mantle. - Author: Bill Kuchman - Tags: Popculturology • Special Edition, Popculturology, MCU, Marvel, Kevin Feige, Ryan Gosling, Shawn Levy, Ghost Rider, Black Panther, Ryan Coogler, David Jonsson, Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds The last time Marvel Studios was at San Diego Comic-Con, [they dropped the news that **Robert Downey Jr.** was returning](https://www.theomnicosm.com/new-mask-same-task-robert-downey-jr-returns-to-the-mcu-as-doctor-doom/) to the MCU ... as Doctor Doom. **Kevin Feige** was back in Hall H on Saturday night, and [with *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars* looming](https://www.theomnicosm.com/popculturology-special-edition-avengers-trailers/), the Marvel Studios chief pulled back the curtain on some of the MCU’s plans for beyond the next two *Avengers* movies. The big news: **Ryan Gosling** as Ghost Rider and we have a new actor playing Black Panther. With Disney’s D23 less than a month away, Saturday’s SDCC news is likely only the beginning ... ![Popculturology](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/popculturology-wordmark.png) Welcome to Popculturology! This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you. Support independent news, reviews and more for **just $5 a month**. [Upgrade to Paid](https://www.theomnicosm.com/about/#/portal/account/plans) Includes full access to **Snackology** and **The Cold Open**. ### Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider Ghost Rider is joining the MCU, with Ryan Gosling on board in the lead role and **Shawn Levy** directing. Levy is no stranger to the MCU, previously directing *Deadpool vs. Wolverine*. We’re also getting *Star Wars: Starfighter* from Gosling and Levy, and I’m guessing Disney is pleased with how that *Star Wars* film is shaping up if they’re handing the duo the keys to a major MCU character. “Wow. Is this really happening?” [Gosling said on stage](https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/marvel-studios-ghost-rider-ryan-gosling-comic-con-2026?ref=theomnicosm.com). “As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time. But if we’re really going to do this, there’s only one director who can do it.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPLCUHEY4b/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Marvel Studios (@marvelstudios)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPLCUHEY4b/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “We spent a lot of time last year making *Star Wars:* *Starfighter*, and as Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing, and I finally said ‘Bro, let’s ride,’” Levy said during the Hall H presentation. “So guys, we’ll see you in 2028.” Congrats to Gosling on finally becoming a tentpole star. [The magic of P*roject Hail Mary*!](https://www.theomnicosm.com/popculturology-project-hail-mary-review/) - 📺 Gosling got a very enthusiastic reaction when he appeared on stage. [***(Watch)***](https://www.instagram.com/marvelstudios/reel/DbPMPefuavL/?ref=theomnicosm.com) ### A new Black Panther rises Who knows what fate lies in store for Shuri in *Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* (**Letitia Wright** *was* on stage during this part of the presentation), but *Black Panther III* is on its way — and *Alien: Romulus* and *The Long Walk* star **David Jonsson** is taking over the mantle of Black Panther. “The last time we got to make a movie, we introduced a character who is the son of the character that the great **Chadwick Boseman** played, our T’Challa, in that film,” **Ryan Coogler** said [as he introduced Jonsson](https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/marvel-studios-black-panther-3-ryan-coogler-san-diego-comic-con-2026?ref=theomnicosm.com). “And today, I want to tell you that in this next film, he grows up \[and\] he comes of age.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPOZndG2fx/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Marvel Studios (@marvelstudios)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbPOZndG2fx/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “I want to say thank you so much,” Jonsson told the Marvel Studios audience. “Thank you Ryan, thank you Kevin \[Feige\], thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join. I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking. But believe me, the honor is entirely mine.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbPQ-JbFS40/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Vulture (@vulture)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbPQ-JbFS40/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Based on Jonsson’s age — he’s 32 — I’m guessing we’re going to get a bit of a timeline scramble thanks to *Secret Wars*. WithCoogler returning to direct, *Black Panther III* is set to open on Dec. 15, 2028. ### Does this mean Deadpool is in *Avengers: Doomsday*? **Ryan Reynolds** wasn’t part of the [initial unveiling of *Doomsday* cast members](https://www.theomnicosm.com/it-all-leads-to-doom-avengers-doomsday-cast-unveiled/), but he was at SDCC — in a gray Deadpool suit — though it’s unclear if this means he’s in the film or not. - 🖼️ Marvel dropped a new poster for *Avengers: Doomsday*, and it’s much better than [the teaser poster we got earlier this week](https://www.instagram.com/marvel/p/DbBAmZqhPrJ/?ref=theomnicosm.com) when the film’s first trailer debuted. [***(See the poster)***](https://www.instagram.com/marvelstudios/p/DbPNfosDvHQ/?ref=theomnicosm.com) ![Popculturology](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/popculturology-wordmark.png) Popculturology is a publication of **The Omnicosm**. 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