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Connor Storrie in Talks for 'Ghost Rider' Villain Role Opposite Ryan Gosling

Updated 7:03 PM ET · 6:23 PM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Connor Storrie is in talks to play the villain opposite Ryan Gosling in Marvel's 'Ghost Rider', set for release in 2028.

Connor Storrie is in talks to join Ryan Gosling in Marvel Studios' upcoming 'Ghost Rider' movie, potentially playing the villain opposite Gosling's Johnny Blaze. The character Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt performer who makes a deal with the devil, was previously brought to the big screen by Nicolas Cage in two movies, but Marvel's latest incarnation will bring the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Hollywood Reporter was first to break the news, and Deadline and Variety have since confirmed that Storrie is circling a role opposite Gosling. The 2028 release is quickly taking shape, with Storrie's potential character remaining under wraps.

Shawn Levy, who directed Gosling in 'Star Wars: Starfighter', will direct the 'Ghost Rider' film. Levy previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios and has worked with Gosling on the upcoming 'Star Wars: Starfighter'.

Storrie, who made his mark as Russian hockey phenomenon Ilya Rozanov in the gay romantic hockey drama 'Heated Rivalry', earned an Emmy nomination for hosting 'Saturday Night Live'. He also starred in 'Joker: Folie à Deux', where he played the inmate who fatally stabs Arthur Fleck, a role that was significant despite limited screen time.

The 'Ghost Rider' movie sees Gosling play Johnny Blaze, a character created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog, who first appeared in 1972’s 'Marvel Spotlight No. 5'. The character was previously brought to the big screen by Nicolas Cage in two movies, although Marvel's latest incarnation will bring the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Neither of the previous 'Ghost Rider' films made much of an impact either critically or commercially, and the rights eventually reverted to Marvel Studios from Sony Pictures. The new film is slated for release on July 28, 2028, and will reunite Gosling with his 'Star Wars: Starfighter' director, Shawn Levy.

The identity of Storrie's potential character remains under wraps, but it is presumed that he will play a villain opposite Gosling's Johnny Blaze. The character Blackheart, played by Wes Bentley, was the main villain in the 2007 'Ghost Rider' film.

Storrie's star continues to rise swiftly without burnout, a poetic distinction since the 'Heated Rivalry' breakout is in the process of joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a film known for its fiery antihero.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Storrie is in talks to join Ryan Gosling in Marvel Studios' upcoming Ghost Rider movie, potentially playing the villain opposite Gosling's Johnny Blaze.
• Levy previously directed Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel Studios and has worked with Gosling on the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter.
• It has also been revealed that “Dune: Part Three” cinematographer Linus Sandgren has boarded the project as director of photography.

What's still developing

• While Marvel is keeping Storrie's potential role secret, the character has no shortage of supernatural enemies who could make life miserable for Johnny Blaze.
• At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shocked everyone when he announced that Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy would team with Project Hail Mary star for a new Ghost Rider movie.
• Shawn Levy is directing the project, which reunites him with fellow Canadian Gosling after the pair worked on “Star Wars: Starfighter” opening next year.
• We are told Storrie was simply offered the role and didn’t audition, much like Sadie Sink as Jean Grey.
• Levy is no stranger to Marvel, having directed 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which earned $1.33 billion worldwide and became the highest grossing film ever with an R rating.
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• Levy and Gosling already have experience working with each other, as the director-actor duo spent much of last year collaborating on the upcoming “Star Wars: Starfighter,” which will be released by Disney and Lucasfilm in May 2027.
• Hudson Williams and Storrie star in the series as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two professional hockey players from Canada and Russia respectively.
• As the story goes, the Texas native was waiting tables at Laurel Grill in Culver City before being offered that game-changing TV role; he’s since parlayed that attention into a Primetime Emmy-nominated turn as guest host of “Saturday Night Live,” and a supporting role opposite Billie Eilish in Sarah Polley’s “The Bell Jar” movie for Focus Features.

Sources

• Colliderlink
• Comicbookmovielink
• Darkhorizonslink
• Deadlinelink
• Entertainment Weeklylink
• IGNlink
• Knight Edge Medialink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• The Main Street Mouselink
• Theplaylistlink
• Thewraplink
• Varietylink
• WarpBeat — background on Connor Storrie in Talks to Play Villain in Marvel's 'Ghost Rider' with Ryan Gosling link
• Wikipedia — background on Ghost Rider link
• TrailersPlaygroundHD / YouTube — video link