Marvel Studios delivers major Hall H announcements including Ghost Rider and Black Panther

Published 28 July 2026. Words like "tonight" or "next week" refer to that date.

Marvel Studios made a major splash at San Diego Comic-Con's Hall H panel, delivering several major casting announcements and film reveals that dominated the convention weekend.

Ghost Rider Gets a Star-Studded Announcement

The biggest surprise of the evening came with the announcement that Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in an upcoming Marvel film arriving in 2028. The project will be directed by Sean Levy, who recently collaborated with Gosling on the film Starf Fighter. Jonathan Troper wrote the script.

Gosling has reportedly wanted to play the character for years. Kevin Feige revealed that he saw and loved Gosling's work on Starf Fighter, which led to the casting decision coming together. The casting marks another successful example of persistence in the entertainment industry, with entertainment journalist Josh Harowitz receiving credit for years of pitching the idea to Feige and discussing it with Gosling in interviews.

Spider-Man and Black Panther Updates

Marvel also presented footage from the Spider-Man film that was arriving the following week, featuring a clash between Spider-Man, the Hulk, and the Punisher. John Bernthal appeared on stage to discuss the project.

Black Panther received an announcement as well, though specific details about the new direction for the character were discussed at the panel.

Avengers and Deadpool Surprises

The Russo Brothers revealed 16 cast members for the upcoming Avengers Doomsday film. In a clever moment, Ryan Reynolds appeared in full Deadpool costume on the convention floor, generating excitement and managing public perception following recent industry challenges. Reynolds joked with the Russos about potentially appearing in additional photography for the film, leading many to believe he will have a role in the project.

The appearance of Reynolds in the X-Force Deadpool costume sparked speculation about the future of the X-Force franchise and the broader integration of mutant characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Logistics and Panel Details

The Hall H panel ran approximately 30 minutes late due to setup requirements and the previous panel also running behind schedule. Every attendee received Doctor Doom masks and capes as part of the presentation. Kevin Feige explained that Marvel Studios would focus on films during Comic-Con, with television announcements planned for Disney's D23 event instead.

The panel opened with a special trailer featuring scenes from across all eras of the MCU, followed by an Avengers Endgame re-release announcement scheduled for September.

What Comes Next

The announcements suggest Marvel is building momentum toward Secret Wars with Spider-Man, Doomsday, Black Panther, Ghost Rider, and X-Men films in development. The strategy represents a shift from Marvel's previous long-range planning approach toward more immediate decision-making based on current projects and talent availability.