Marvel Studios Reportedly Pulling Back on Live-Action Disney Plus Shows as X-Men and Ghost Rider Casting Rumors Pile Up

Marvel Studios is reportedly rethinking its approach to Disney Plus, and that shift may explain why Wonder Man was recently canceled. At the same time, fresh casting chatter has surfaced for the X-Men reboot and Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider.

Marvel Studios Reportedly Shifting Away From Live-Action Disney Plus Series

This all comes from insider Jeff Sneider, who recently revealed a lot about what he has heard Marvel Studios is doing right now. According to Sneider, the cancellation of Wonder Man is reportedly part of a broader shift away from live-action Disney Plus series, with Marvel expected to continue producing animated series, particularly those aimed at younger audiences.

That would mark a return to how Marvel operated during the Infinity Saga, when there were no live-action MCU television projects at all, aside from the Netflix shows. A lot of people say the Infinity Saga was much better than the Multiverse Saga, and it is worth asking whether the shows are to blame for that dip in quality, or whether it was simply inconsistent quality across movies, shows, and specials alike. That is unclear, but it looks like Marvel has looked at some data and decided to change course.

With a new universe coming soon, Marvel now has a lot of teams to focus on, including the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, probably some new teams, and individual heroes like Spider-Man, who clearly is going to have a big role in the rebooted universe. It seems plausible Marvel is simply putting its focus on movies for now. There will likely still be some television projects, but perhaps not many tying directly into the new MCU's overall story. If the reboot really does mean no more live-action shows for a while, that raises the question of whether that focus on movies is a good thing or whether the television shows are still missed.

Charles Melton Reportedly Might Already Be Locked In as Beast, Cailee Spaeny the Favorite for Rogue

On the X-Men side, Charles Melton is currently expected to play Beast, with several insiders reporting this and suggesting it might already be locked in. Cailee Spaeny is now reportedly the favorite to play Rogue, and word going around online is that she lobbied director Jake Schreier for the role. That tracks with a wider pattern right now of actors clearly wanting in on the X-Men reboot.

Sneider also reportedly said Odessa Adlon was considered by both Jake Schreier and Marvel for Rogue, but that role now looks to be heading to Spaeny instead.

Drew Starkey Reportedly the Favorite to Play Cyclops

A newer name in the mix is Drew Starkey, who is currently the favorite to play Cyclops according to the reporting. He was not a familiar name before this, but he does seem to have a strong look for the role, someone who would work well in a visor and alongside other already reported X-Men castings. He also has the height for it, which adds to the sense that this casting could work well if it happens.

Professor X Reportedly Down to Two Contenders, Including Tom Pelphrey

Professor X is reportedly down to two contenders. One is an actor whose casting was described as an interesting choice, though a version with Patrick Stewart still returning would have been preferred. The other name is Tom Pelphrey, and a photo circulating shows him bald and in a suit for the part. Looking at that image, the reaction was simple: "I see it. I see it."

Between the two reported options, Tom Pelphrey looks like the stronger choice purely based on looks, even without having seen much of his other work. The other contender remains reportedly under consideration as well, so it comes down to which direction Marvel and Jake Schreier ultimately decide to go.

Storm Is Reportedly Being Introduced Through Black Panther 3, Not the X-Men Cast

Storm has not been cast yet, and reportedly Marvel Studios and Jake Schreier are not the ones handling her casting directly. Instead, the plan appears to be introducing her in Black Panther 3, with Ryan Coogler heavily involved in casting her. Kevin Feige and Jake Schreier are presumably involved as well, but if Storm is going to debut in Black Panther 3, it makes sense for Coogler to have a major hand in that decision.

That approach also opens the door to a Storm and T'Challa romance playing out in Black Panther 3, whether the new Black Panther is still referred to as T'Challa Jr. or simply T'Challa going forward.

Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider Reportedly Brought His Own Comic Story Ideas to Marvel

The most exciting piece of this round of updates involves Ghost Rider. Ryan Gosling has been cast as Ghost Rider, and reportedly he really wanted the role, coming to Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios with ideas and comic stories he wanted to see used. Marvel and Gosling have reportedly been in talks for a long time, which suggests he is taking the role seriously while also bringing genuine passion to it.

The film will be directed by Shawn Levy, who has done well-regarded projects before, and Levy and Gosling have already worked together on the new Star Wars film, which is reportedly said to be pretty good. No other casting is reportedly active for Ghost Rider yet beyond what has already surfaced.

Sacha Baron Cohen Reportedly Expected Back as Mephisto Alongside a Rumored Rosamund Pike Role

Sacha Baron Cohen is expected to return as Mephisto, a piece of casting described as "100% what should happen." The brief glimpse of him in that role in Ironheart was described as fantastic, and given Mephisto's ties to Ghost Rider's origins, his involvement in this story makes sense. According to Jeff Sneider, Ryan Gosling is expected to play Johnny Blaze specifically, and he will reportedly be the only Ghost Rider featured in the film, so for those wondering whether a second rider might show up, it looks like just Johnny Blaze for now, though that could change down the line.

Rosamund Pike is rumored to be in talks for a major role, potentially as Johnny Blaze's love interest, which sounds like it could work well opposite Gosling. Beyond the film itself, Johnny Blaze is reportedly expected to debut in Avengers: Secret Wars before getting his solo movie, alongside the new T'Challa and some of the newly cast X-Men members, who are also expected to appear in Secret Wars. It would not be surprising if the rebooted universe essentially plays out on Battleworld within Secret Wars, though that remains to be seen as more pieces of the future MCU keep surfacing ahead of schedule.

What do you think, should Marvel Studios lean fully into movies for the rebooted universe, or is there still room for live-action Disney Plus shows?