Marvel Studios unveiled several significant announcements during its Saturday presentation at the Comic-Con International in San Diego. The studio introduced David Jonsson as the new Black Panther, portraying the son of T’Challa, originally played by Chadwick Boseman. Additionally, Ryan Gosling will take on the role of Ghost Rider in upcoming films set to release in 2028.
Jonsson appeared on stage with franchise director and Oscar winner Ryan Coogler, joined by Letitia Wright and Winston Duke. Thank you to this family that I have the honor and blessing to join. I don’t want to say too much because I want the screen to speak,
said Jonsson, known for roles in Industry, The Long Walk, and Alien: Romulus. Boseman passed away in 2020, and since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever revealed T’Challa had a son, fans speculated about his successor, with names like Damson Idris and Wright mentioned. The original Black Panther film of 2018 was the first superhero film to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide, while the sequel earned $850 million.
Ryan Gosling Joins the Marvel Universe
Gosling will team up once again with Star Wars: Starfighter director Shawn Levy for Ghost Rider. It’s bringing back great memories being here. I’ll never forget that night because it was my true introduction to the best fans anywhere,
Levy remarked, referring to his Hall H appearance two years ago for Deadpool & Wolverine, a major success. Gosling greeted Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige and expressed his long-held desire to play the character.
Gosling’s long-time partner, Eva Mendes, appeared alongside Nicolas Cage in the original independent Ghost Rider film, released in 2007 before Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sony released a sequel in 2012, and the film rights have since returned to Marvel, but the character has not yet appeared in the MCU.
Stars Spotlighted for Avengers: Doomsday
Feige announced that the 2019 Joe and Anthony Russo-directed film, Avengers: Endgame, will be re-released in cinemas on September 25 with new footage linking to Avengers: Doomsday by the Russos, scheduled for December 18. A trailer for Doomsday revealed Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Victor Von Doom having a past connection with Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby).
Storm is seen describing Doom as a broken individual who was once different: Everything he loved was taken from him,
and Richards later questions Doom’s involvement in the surrounding horrors. Downey Jr. humorously said on stage that Reed and Doom were best friends
.
Fans have been curious about their connection since The Fantastic Four: First Steps post-credits scene showed Doom in the company of Reed and Storm’s baby. Appearing on stage with the Doomsday cast were Wright, Duke, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Simu Liu, Danny Ramirez, Anthony Mackie, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Paul Rudd, Rebecca Romijn, David Harbour, Lewis Pullman, and Tenoch Huerta.
Ryan Reynolds as Gray Deadpool
Donning a new gray Deadpool suit, Ryan Reynolds made a surprise entry from the audience. Long-time listener, first-time caller,
he joked before asking Rudd why Thor was crying in the previous film, to which Rudd replied: He’s a fan of Wrexham,
referencing the football team Reynolds co-owns.
Reynolds added, This seems like a terribly expensive way to announce a movie. When does filming start?
Downey Jr. replied from the stage, It’s already ready, brother! Did you hit your head?
Many fans waited over a day to enter the eagerly anticipated panel. Marvel Studios aims to rejuvenate its brand, which has been diluted by an overabundance of Disney+ series and disappointment with films like last year’s Captain America: Brave New World. Although public interest in superhero films has waned in recent years, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, released by Sony in partnership with Marvel, is expected to lead the summer box office when it debuts on July 31, and advance ticket sales for Doomsday have been strong.
The story was translated into English by an AP editor using an AI tool.