Marvel’s Comic-Con 2026: New Black Panther, Ghost Rider Revealed
SAN DIEGO — Marvel Studios staged one of its most consequential Comic-Con presentations in years on Saturday, announcing that David Jonsson will take up the mantle of Black Panther and that Ryan Gosling will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ghost Rider, both in films set for 2028. The Hall H panel also unveiled a massive cast for Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. starring as Victor Von Doom, and featured a surprise appearance by Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool.
A New Era for Wakanda
Jonsson, the 32-year-old British actor known for HBO’s Industry, Alien: Romulus, and Rye Lane, will play T’Challa’s adult son Toussaint — also known as T’Challa II — in Black Panther 3. The character was introduced in the post-credits scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), which addressed the death of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa. Boseman died of cancer in 2020 at age 43, leaving a cultural void that Marvel has spent years navigating.
According to AP News, Jonsson joined director Ryan Coogler on stage alongside Letitia Wright and Winston Duke, holding his hand to his chest and smiling broadly. “Thank you to this family that I have the honor and the blessing to join. I don’t want to say too much, because I want to let the screen do the talking,” Jonsson told the crowd.
Black Panther 3 is set for release on December 15, 2028. Deadline reported that the film will be shot entirely on larger format celluloid film — a first for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Denzel Washington was previously announced as part of the cast. The original Black Panther (2018) earned $1.3 billion worldwide and became the first superhero film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, while its 2022 sequel grossed $859 million and won an Oscar for Costume Design.
Winston Duke, who plays M’Baku in the franchise, told Deadline that he spoke with Jonsson for the first time earlier that day. “I wanted to extend to him the grace that was extended to me. Black Panther was my very first film… I wanted to just let him know that we’re here to support, we’re here to help, we’re here to augment,” Duke said.
Ghost Rider Rides into the MCU
Ryan Gosling will star as Ghost Rider in a new Marvel film directed by Shawn Levy and written by Jonathan Tropper, reuniting the team behind the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter (due May 28, 2027). As Deadline confirmed, Gosling’s film is scheduled for 2028, marking the character’s first appearance in the MCU after film rights reverted from Sony.
In a delightful Hollywood twist, Gosling’s longtime partner Eva Mendes starred alongside Nicolas Cage in the original Ghost Rider (2007). The two Cage-led Ghost Rider films combined grossed more than $361 million worldwide. “I’m having the greatest flashback vibes being here,” said Levy, referencing his Hall H appearance two years ago to promote Deadpool & Wolverine. Gosling had to back out of a secret Daniels film — likely due to the Ghost Rider scheduling.
Avengers: Doomsday and the Marvel Reset
The Russo brothers — Joe and Anthony — return to direct Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. playing Victor Von Doom. A trailer screened at the panel showed Doom having a past connection to Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby). Feige announced that Avengers: Endgame will be re-released in theaters on September 25 with new footage linking to Doomsday, which releases December 18. The extensive cast includes Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Simu Liu, Danny Ramirez, Anthony Mackie, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Paul Rudd, Rebecca Romijn, David Harbour, Lewis Pullman, and Tenoch Huerta.
Deadpool Crashes the Party
Ryan Reynolds appeared in a new gray X-Force-inspired Deadpool costume, emerging from the audience to crash the panel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds referred to himself as “Ricky” and asked Paul Rudd why Thor was crying — a reference to Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Rudd shot back, “He’s a Wrexham fan,” referencing the soccer team Reynolds co-owns. When Reynolds asked when filming starts, Downey Jr. replied, “It’s in the can, bro! Did you bump your head?”
Reynolds later called himself “Jeanpool” on Instagram. A new Deadpool film was confirmed by Reynolds at Fanatics Fest earlier in July.
A Strategic Reset for Marvel
This Comic-Con panel represents Marvel’s most aggressive slate announcement since 2019’s Phase 4 unveiling. The studio is aiming to reset its brand after what many critics viewed as an “overabundance of Disney+ series” and the critical disappointment of Captain America: Brave New World (2025). Audience interest in superhero films has waned in recent years, but Spider-Man: Brand New Day — releasing July 31 — is expected to dominate the summer box office.
What to Watch For
With Black Panther 3 and Ghost Rider both set for 2028, and Avengers: Doomsday arriving before then (likely 2027), Marvel is laying the groundwork for its next major saga. Outstanding questions remain: Will Deadpool officially appear in Doomsday? How will the MCU handle the time jump for T’Challa’s son? And could a Midnight Sons film unite Ghost Rider with other supernatural heroes? For now, Marvel fans have plenty to look forward to.