Breakout actor Connor Storrie is currently in negotiations to join Ryan Gosling in Marvel Studios’ upcoming feature film Ghost Rider, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which first broke the news. While a deal is not yet finalized and representatives for Marvel Studios declined to comment on the casting talks, multiple trade publications indicate that the 26-year-old star of the hit series Heated Rivalry is circling the role of the movie's primary antagonist.

Directed by Shawn Levy and written by screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, Ghost Rider is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 28, 2028. The project was officially unveiled by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige during the studio's Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026, where Gosling and Levy appeared on stage to confirm their involvement. Principal photography is slated to begin in 2027, with production expected to take place in New York.

The Mystery Villain and Johnny Blaze's MCU Debut

The exact identity of the character Storrie would portray remains undisclosed. In Marvel Comics lore, the Ghost Rider mantle has been held by several characters, though the studio's upcoming film is widely expected to focus on the original motorcycle stuntman, Johnny Blaze. While Deadline confirms Gosling's leading role without specifying which iteration of the antihero he will play, The Hollywood Reporter notes it is presumed Gosling is portraying Blaze, even if Marvel has not formally confirmed the character's name. IGN points out that while there were initial questions about which version of the Spirit of Vengeance would appear on screen, Blaze aligns with current industry reporting.

Created by writer Gary Friedrich, artist Mike Ploog, and editor Roy Thomas, Johnny Blaze first debuted in Marvel Spotlight No. 5 in 1972 before receiving his own standalone comic series in 1973. In the source material, Blaze binds his soul to a demon named Zarathos after making a deal with the devil to save his adoptive father, transforming him into a fiery, skull-headed vigilante riding a hellfire-fueled motorcycle.

Because Ghost Rider does not have a single signature arch-nemesis in the comics, Storrie’s prospective role leaves room for speculation. The character frequently battles a rotation of demonic entities. One prominent antagonist associated with Blaze's origin is the demon lord Mephisto. However, Sacha Baron Cohen already portrayed Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the Disney+ series Ironheart, and trade reports do not suggest Storrie is taking over that specific role. In previous non-MCU live-action adaptations starring Nicolas Cage—2007’s Ghost Rider and 2011’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance—the villains included Mephisto and his son, Blackheart. Empire notes that Storrie is being eyed as the lead villain, mentioning comic book antagonists like Blackheart, Deathwatch, and Centurious as theoretical possibilities from the canon, though no official character details have leaked.

From 'Heated Rivalry' to the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Securing the villain role opposite one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men marks a rapid career ascent for Storrie. Just prior to his television breakthrough, the actor supported himself by working as a waiter. His trajectory shifted dramatically following the November 2025 debut of Heated Rivalry, a queer romantic hockey drama airing on Crave and HBO Max based on the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid. Starring as Russian hockey phenom Ilya Rozanov alongside co-star Hudson Williams, Storrie quickly became one of the industry's most sought-after young actors.

Following the success of the series, which is currently filming its second season for a spring 2027 premiere on HBO Max, Storrie parlayed his momentum into major brand endorsements and a hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live that earned him an Emmy nomination. He previously made a brief but memorable big-screen appearance in Joker: Folie à Deux as the Arkham inmate who fatally stabs Arthur Fleck in the film's closing moments.

According to Variety, Ghost Rider would represent Storrie's second major studio movie commitment following his casting opposite Billie Eilish in director Sarah Polley’s adaptation of The Bell Jar for Focus Features. His upcoming slate also includes Craig Zobel’s thriller Turpentine opposite Melissa McCarthy, Halina Reijn's Please for A24 alongside David Jonsson and Lola Tung, and Molly Gordon’s Peaked co-starring Laura Dern.

Creative Team and Production Details

Ghost Rider brings together a seasoned creative team with strong existing ties to both Marvel Studios and Gosling. Director Shawn Levy previously helmed the blockbuster hit Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel, and he recently directed Gosling in the upcoming Lucasfilm feature Star Wars: Starfighter, which was also written by Jonathan Tropper. Feige and Levy are producing the comic book adaptation alongside Gosling, Louis D’Esposito, and Stephen Broussard, while Richie Palmer and Jessie Henderson serve as executive producers.

In addition to the casting negotiations, new behind-the-scenes details indicate a distinct visual approach for the supernatural action movie. Linus Sandgren, the Oscar-winning cinematographer behind La La Land and the upcoming Dune: Part Three, has been hired as the director of photography. Furthermore, Sandgren and Levy plan to shoot the project on traditional celluloid film rather than digital formats, a stylistic choice increasingly favored by high-profile filmmakers seeking a textured theatrical look.

As reported by Yahoo Entertainment, Gosling had publicly expressed interest in playing the supernatural antihero for years before the official Comic-Con announcement. While Gabriel Luna previously portrayed the Robbie Reyes iteration of the character on the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the 2028 feature marks the character's first solo theatrical outing under the Marvel Studios banner. Positioned as one of the studio's tentpole releases following Avengers: Secret Wars, the film continues Marvel's recent strategy of surrounding established A-list veterans with rising talent, mirroring recent casting moves for its upcoming X-Men reboot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Connor Storrie officially cast in Marvel's Ghost Rider?

No. Trade reports confirm that Storrie is currently in negotiations to join the cast, meaning a final contract has not yet been signed. Marvel Studios has declined to comment on the ongoing talks.

Who is Connor Storrie playing in the movie?

Storrie is reportedly in talks to play the main villain opposite Ryan Gosling. However, the specific comic book character—or whether the antagonist is an original creation for the film—has not been disclosed by the studio or trade sources.

When does Marvel's Ghost Rider come out?

Marvel Studios has scheduled Ghost Rider for a theatrical release on July 28, 2028. Filming is expected to take place in New York in 2027.

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