Shawn Levy’s Ghost Rider movie is assembling its cast and production team, with Connor Storrie reportedly in talks to play the villain opposite Ryan Gosling.
The Heated Rivalry actor’s potential involvement comes alongside reports that cinematographer Linus Sandgren has joined the Marvel Studios production, which is expected to shoot on film in New York next year.
The updates offer a clearer picture of the project following its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in July, although its story and central antagonist remain under wraps.
Connor Storrie Circling Villain Role
According to Knight Edge Media, Storrie has entered talks for a co-leading role. The outlet emphasized that his deal had not been completed and reported that he received an offer without auditioning.
Its initial report suggested he could play the main villain. Subsequent reporting identified his prospective role as the antagonist opposite Gosling, although the character’s name has not been revealed.
Storrie broke out playing hockey player Ilya Rozanov in Heated Rivalry and also had a small role in Joker: Folie à Deux. Ghost Rider would give him another comic book credit, should negotiations lead to a deal. Entertainment Weekly confirmed the talks and reported that Marvel declined to comment.
Connor Storrie – Late Night with Seth Meyers, YouTube
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Knight Edge Media also reported that the central villain would be someone other than Mephisto, whom Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed in Ironheart. Marvel has not confirmed that detail.
The outlet pointed to Blackheart, played by Wes Bentley in the 2007 Ghost Rider, as an example of a previous adaptation featuring another antagonist. However, it did not identify Blackheart as Storrie’s prospective character.
Ghost Rider Reportedly Shooting on Film
The casting discussions accompany a notable addition behind the camera.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sandgren has been hired as director of photography and that the production plans to shoot on film. His credits include La La Land, No Time to Die, and Dune: Part Three.
Jonathan Tropper is writing the screenplay, reuniting with Levy and Gosling after their collaboration on Star Wars: Starfighter. Filming is expected to begin in 2027, ahead of a July 28, 2028, theatrical release.
Sandgren’s involvement gives audiences another reason to watch the project’s development. While the choice of film stock reveals little about its tone or approach to horror, it could give Ghost Rider a useful marketing angle.
Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025 – Star Wars, YouTube
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Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, released this year, became the first narrative feature shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. Its combination of traditional filmmaking and technical innovation attracted considerable attention, with special film screenings selling out and the movie passing $1 billion worldwide within three weeks.
Premium presentations also contributed substantially to its historic box office. By August 10, IMAX screenings had generated $289 million, accounting for more than 26% of its worldwide gross at that point and making it the highest-grossing IMAX release ever.
Ghost Rider has not been confirmed for an IMAX release, and shooting on film does not necessarily mean using IMAX cameras. Nevertheless, The Odyssey’s success illustrates how a distinctive presentation can become part of a movie’s appeal, encouraging audiences to seek it out in theaters.
Ryan Gosling’s Marvel Debut Takes Shape
Gosling’s casting as Ghost Rider was announced in July, following years of public interest in playing the character. He appeared alongside Levy during Marvel’s Hall H presentation to introduce the project.
Levy previously entered the MCU with Deadpool & Wolverine, while Ghost Rider will mark Gosling’s debut in the franchise. Marvel did not identify which incarnation of the character he would portray when it announced the film.
Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy – Universal Pictures
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Johnny Blaze remains the best-known version, previously portrayed by Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Gabriel Luna later played Robbie Reyes on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., although a planned Hulu spinoff never materialized.
With a potential villain in negotiations and its creative team taking shape, Ghost Rider is moving toward production. The next major question is how Levy and Marvel will approach the Spirit of Vengeance—and whether the story will make full use of the character’s supernatural roots.
What do you think of the latest casting and production news for Shawn Levy’s Ghost Rider? Sound off and let us know!
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