The studio used this weekend’s San Diego Comic-con to confirm two of the most significant casting decisions in the next phase of the MCU, naming Ryan Gosling as the Ghost Rider and introducing David Jonsson as the new Black Panther.
The announcements anchored a packed presentation that also threw a spotlight on its upcoming Avengers: Doomsday cinema release.
Marvel Studios Ghost Rider will be directed by Shawn (Deadpool & Wolverine) Levy, and is set for release in 2028. Marvel hasn’t confirmed which iteration of the character Gosling will play – no character name was given on stage, in press materials, or in follow‑up interviews – however the smart money is on Gosling playing Johnny Blaze.
The teaser artwork shown in‑room reportedly featured the classic flaming motorcycle, not the muscle car associated with Robbie Reyes.
Johnny Blaze first appeared as Ghost Rider in Marvel Spotlight #5, published in August 1972. He was created by writer Gary Friedrich, editor‑plotter Roy Thomas, and artist Mike Ploog.
Director Ryan Coogler confirmed that Black Panther 3, releasing December 2028, will introduce David Jonsson as the new Black Panther. Letitia Wright and Winston Duke will return.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Black Panther made his debut in Fantastic Four #52, published in July 1966. The book introduced T’Challa as the ruler of Wakanda, notable as the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics.
Coogler’s original Black Panther is one of the decorated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It won three Academy Awards – Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design – and received seven additional Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Song.
It also won BAFTA recognition for Best Special Visual Effects, in 2019.
Marvel hasn’t confirmed which iteration of the Ghost Rider character Gosling will play, but the smart money is on…
Avengers: Doomsday gets Endgame Encore
Marvel also used Comic-Con to build momentum for Avengers: Doomsday, releasing theatrically in December 2026. Predictably the panel was star-studded, featuring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, Letitia Wright, alongside Kevin Feige, and directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
Attendees were given Doctor Doom masks and cloaks, which they were invited to wear during the panel. An exclusive in‑room preview showed Doom raising an army of Sentinels, with appearances from Thor, Shang‑Chi, Shuri and Gambit. Hayley Atwell also confirmed that she’ll reprise her role as Peggy Carter.
Deadpool made a cameo at the event, asking questions of the panel in a fetching new grey outfit.
Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool speaks from the audience during the Marvel Studios Panel at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Disney)
To hype Doomsday further, Marvel announced Avengers: Endgame Encore, a theatrical re‑release arriving September 25, featuring brand-new footage.
Marvel also confirmed that VisionQuest, which concludes its WandaVision arc, will premiere October 14. on Disney+.
DC’s Lanterns lands on HBO Max
San Diego superhero news wasn’t just from Marvel.
DC and HBO Max confirmed that Lanterns will make its broadcast premiere on August 17. The eight-part drama represents another significant step in the new DC Studios era overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Rather than embracing cosmic spectacle from the outset, Lanterns appears to ground its story in something closer to a detective thriller.
The series follows legendary Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, alongside Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart, as the pair investigate a murder in the American heartland.
The investigation gradually uncovers a mystery stretching far beyond Earth, placing two members of the intergalactic Lantern Corps at the centre of events.
The supporting cast includes Kelly Macdonald, Laura Linney, Nathan Fillion and Jason Ritter.
DC Studios used its Hall H showcase to reveal Sinestro, confirming that the new show won’t shun the wider cosmic mythology of the Green Lantern Corps.
The creative team comprises Chris Mundy as showrunner alongside co-creators Damon Lindelof and comic book writer Tom King; James Hawes directs the opening episodes.
Anticipation for Lanterns is high, given Damon Lindelof’s visionary take on DC’s Watchmen, which expanded the mythology of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking 1986 limited comic series.
King’s Cross Summer Sounds got off to an explosive start as The Molotovs brought their high-energy live show to Coal Drops Yard. The fast-rising trio were the surprise headliners for the opening night of the festival, delivering a lively set of neo-punk that drew heavily from their debut album Wasted on Youth. They also found…
Formula E is racing to Disney+, giving the electric-powered championship a global streaming platform as it enters its faster, more powerful GEN4 era. Disney+, ESPN and Formula E have agreed a multi-year deal that will make Disney+ the home of live Formula E coverage in most international markets from the 2026/27 season. In the US,…
Apple TV is doubling down on science fiction. At San Diego Comic-Con, the streamer showcased Dark Matter and Neuromancer, two shows that approach sci‑fi from very different angles. The second season of Dark Matter premieres globally on Friday, August 28, 2026, with episodes released weekly through October 30. Apple is also expanding the universe with…
The Luxe Review 
Has Marvel got its movie mojo back?
The studio used this weekend’s San Diego Comic-con to confirm two of the most significant casting decisions in the next phase of the MCU, naming Ryan Gosling as the Ghost Rider and introducing David Jonsson as the new Black Panther.
The announcements anchored a packed presentation that also threw a spotlight on its upcoming Avengers: Doomsday cinema release.
Marvel Studios Ghost Rider will be directed by Shawn (Deadpool & Wolverine) Levy, and is set for release in 2028. Marvel hasn’t confirmed which iteration of the character Gosling will play – no character name was given on stage, in press materials, or in follow‑up interviews – however the smart money is on Gosling playing Johnny Blaze.
The teaser artwork shown in‑room reportedly featured the classic flaming motorcycle, not the muscle car associated with Robbie Reyes.
Johnny Blaze first appeared as Ghost Rider in Marvel Spotlight #5, published in August 1972. He was created by writer Gary Friedrich, editor‑plotter Roy Thomas, and artist Mike Ploog.
Director Ryan Coogler confirmed that Black Panther 3, releasing December 2028, will introduce David Jonsson as the new Black Panther. Letitia Wright and Winston Duke will return.
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Black Panther made his debut in Fantastic Four #52, published in July 1966. The book introduced T’Challa as the ruler of Wakanda, notable as the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics.
Coogler’s original Black Panther is one of the decorated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It won three Academy Awards – Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design – and received seven additional Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Song.
It also won BAFTA recognition for Best Special Visual Effects, in 2019.
Avengers: Doomsday gets Endgame Encore
Marvel also used Comic-Con to build momentum for Avengers: Doomsday, releasing theatrically in December 2026. Predictably the panel was star-studded, featuring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, Letitia Wright, alongside Kevin Feige, and directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
Attendees were given Doctor Doom masks and cloaks, which they were invited to wear during the panel. An exclusive in‑room preview showed Doom raising an army of Sentinels, with appearances from Thor, Shang‑Chi, Shuri and Gambit. Hayley Atwell also confirmed that she’ll reprise her role as Peggy Carter.
Deadpool made a cameo at the event, asking questions of the panel in a fetching new grey outfit.
To hype Doomsday further, Marvel announced Avengers: Endgame Encore, a theatrical re‑release arriving September 25, featuring brand-new footage.
Marvel also confirmed that VisionQuest, which concludes its WandaVision arc, will premiere October 14. on Disney+.
DC’s Lanterns lands on HBO Max
San Diego superhero news wasn’t just from Marvel.
DC and HBO Max confirmed that Lanterns will make its broadcast premiere on August 17. The eight-part drama represents another significant step in the new DC Studios era overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Rather than embracing cosmic spectacle from the outset, Lanterns appears to ground its story in something closer to a detective thriller.
The series follows legendary Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, alongside Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart, as the pair investigate a murder in the American heartland.
The investigation gradually uncovers a mystery stretching far beyond Earth, placing two members of the intergalactic Lantern Corps at the centre of events.
The supporting cast includes Kelly Macdonald, Laura Linney, Nathan Fillion and Jason Ritter.
DC Studios used its Hall H showcase to reveal Sinestro, confirming that the new show won’t shun the wider cosmic mythology of the Green Lantern Corps.
The creative team comprises Chris Mundy as showrunner alongside co-creators Damon Lindelof and comic book writer Tom King; James Hawes directs the opening episodes.
Anticipation for Lanterns is high, given Damon Lindelof’s visionary take on DC’s Watchmen, which expanded the mythology of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking 1986 limited comic series.
The Molotovs kick off King’s Cross Summer Sounds festival with a steamy blast of indie rock
King’s Cross Summer Sounds got off to an explosive start as The Molotovs brought their high-energy live show to Coal Drops Yard. The fast-rising trio were the surprise headliners for the opening night of the festival, delivering a lively set of neo-punk that drew heavily from their debut album Wasted on Youth. They also found…
Disney+ becomes streaming home of Formula E from 2026/27 as high performance GEN4 era begins
Formula E is racing to Disney+, giving the electric-powered championship a global streaming platform as it enters its faster, more powerful GEN4 era. Disney+, ESPN and Formula E have agreed a multi-year deal that will make Disney+ the home of live Formula E coverage in most international markets from the 2026/27 season. In the US,…
Apple TV expands Dark Matter universe, adds cyberpunk classic Neuromancer to 2027 slate
Apple TV is doubling down on science fiction. At San Diego Comic-Con, the streamer showcased Dark Matter and Neuromancer, two shows that approach sci‑fi from very different angles. The second season of Dark Matter premieres globally on Friday, August 28, 2026, with episodes released weekly through October 30. Apple is also expanding the universe with…
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