Robert Pattinson Nearly Became the MCU's Ghost Rider — Fans Can't Believe How Close It Came
Robert Pattinson could swap the cape for a flaming skull, with reports he was in the mix to play Ghost Rider in the MCU — potentially making his entrance in Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a December release.
Ghost Rider chatter is back, and this time it briefly dragged Robert Pattinson into the fire. Here is what actually happened and what it probably means.
The Pattinson part (short version: not happening)
Pattinson is busy in Gotham with The Batman: Part II, but his name was apparently floated for Marvel's Ghost Rider at some point. The latest word, though, is that Marvel did look at him and then moved on.
'I haven't heard any updates on Ghost Rider since posting about him. I know Pattinson was eyed for it at one point but it's not gonna be him.'
- Apocalyptic Horseman on X, Dec 25, 2025
The rumored on-ramp would have been Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently penciled in for December 2026 with the Russo Brothers directing. They have a history of packing their Avengers movies with new faces, so the idea tracks. But based on that update, do not expect Pattinson to light up a skull in the MCU anytime soon.
Fans are split (of course)
Reaction on X ran the gamut: some argued you can't be Batman and Ghost Rider at the same time, others chanted for Ryan Gosling, and quite a few want Nicolas Cage back in the saddle. One user simply joked about whether Pattinson can drive. So yeah, the conversation is lively, but none of it makes this real.
Important reminder: this is all rumor territory. Nothing has been announced by Marvel, Disney, or anyone officially attached to Doomsday.
The Ryan Gosling of it all
Gosling has been loosely linked to Ghost Rider for a while, and there is actual on-the-record stuff here. During The Fall Guy promo in 2024, he told Josh Horowitz he was into the idea, and Horowitz put the question to Kevin Feige directly. Feige called Gosling 'amazing' and said he would 'love to find a place for him in the MCU.' When Horowitz circled back later, Gosling said there was no real movement yet, but he would love to do it. He even teased Emily Blunt about joining him if it ever happens.
So what is Marvel doing with Ghost Rider?
Unclear. The character could pop up as a one-off Variant in Doomsday, or Marvel could be laying track for a proper, ongoing Ghost Rider to headline supernatural stuff down the line (think a Midnight Sons setup after Avengers: Secret Wars). Right now, that is all speculation.
Quick hits
- Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated for December 2026 and is being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo.
- A scooper on X says Robert Pattinson was considered for Ghost Rider but is not getting the role, and there have been no recent updates.
- Fan wishlists are split between bringing back Nicolas Cage (who played Johnny Blaze in the mid-2000s films) and handing the keys to Ryan Gosling.
- Gosling has publicly said he wants to play Ghost Rider; Kevin Feige praised him and said he wants to find a place for him in the MCU, but there is no deal.
- Marvel has not clarified whether the next Ghost Rider would be a cameo/Variant or the main version meant to anchor future supernatural projects after Secret Wars.
- Meanwhile, Robert Pattinson is focused on The Batman: Part II, directed by Matt Reeves and produced by Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Studios, and 6th & Idaho Productions, currently dated for October 1, 2027 in the U.S.
The bottom line
Pattinson as Ghost Rider was a thing Marvel looked at, but it is not him. Gosling remains a real possibility in theory, with Feige on record as a fan, but there is nothing concrete. Until Marvel actually announces a Ghost Rider, treat all the noise like what it is: noise.