San Diego: Marvel Studios delivered one of the biggest surprises at Comic-Con 2026 by announcing that British actor David Jonsson will take on the role of the next Black Panther, while Ryan Gosling officially joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Ghost Rider. The announcements were made during Marvel’s highly anticipated Hall H presentation, where the studio also shared new details about its upcoming blockbuster slate.
David Jonsson to Lead ‘Black Panther III’
Director Ryan Coogler introduced David Jonsson on stage alongside returning cast members Letitia Wright and Winston Duke. Jonsson will portray T’Challa’s son, who is expected to inherit the Black Panther mantle in “Black Panther III,” scheduled for release on December 15, 2028.
Expressing his excitement, Jonsson thanked the cast and filmmakers, saying he was honored to become part of the iconic franchise and preferred to let his performance speak for itself.
The announcement follows years of speculation after “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” revealed that T’Challa had a son. Since the passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, fans have closely followed Marvel’s plans for the future of Wakanda.
The original “Black Panther” became a landmark superhero film, earning a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards and grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. Its sequel also achieved significant commercial success.
Ryan Gosling Joins the MCU as Ghost Rider
Marvel also confirmed that Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider in a new standalone film directed by Shawn Levy, reuniting the pair after their collaboration on “Star Wars: Starfighter.”
Gosling told Comic-Con attendees that playing Ghost Rider had been a longtime ambition. Levy praised Marvel fans for their continued enthusiasm and reflected on his memorable Hall H appearances in previous years.
The Ghost Rider character previously appeared in films starring Nicolas Cage in 2007 and 2012. Although Marvel regained the character’s film rights years ago, this marks Ghost Rider’s official introduction into the MCU.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ Returning to Theaters
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced that “Avengers: Endgame” will return to theaters on September 25 with additional footage designed to connect the film to the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” which is set to release on December 18.
Exclusive footage shown during the panel hinted at a deeper connection between Victor Von Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., and Reed Richards, played by Pedro Pascal. The preview also featured Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm, who suggested Doom’s tragic past may play a significant role in the story.
Downey Jr. added humor to the presentation by joking that Doom and Reed Richards were “best friends,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Star-Studded ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Cast Revealed
Marvel showcased an impressive lineup of actors expected to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Those appearing on stage included:
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Letitia Wright
- Winston Duke
- Chris Evans
- Hayley Atwell
- Anthony Mackie
- Paul Rudd
- Simu Liu
- David Harbour
- Rebecca Romijn
- James Marsden
- Kelsey Grammer
- Danny Ramirez
- Lewis Pullman
- Tenoch Huerta
The panel reinforced Marvel’s ambition to make the film one of the franchise’s biggest crossover events.
Ryan Reynolds Makes Surprise Appearance
Adding to the excitement, Ryan Reynolds surprised fans by appearing in a gray Deadpool costume during the presentation.
Reynolds joked with Paul Rudd about Thor’s emotional scene from a previous Marvel film, while Robert Downey Jr. responded with playful banter regarding the production status of “Avengers: Doomsday.” The lighthearted exchange became one of the event’s most talked-about moments.
Marvel Looks Ahead to a New Era
Marvel Studios used Comic-Con 2026 to outline its future direction with major casting announcements, returning characters, and new storylines. With Black Panther III, Ghost Rider, and Avengers: Doomsday all scheduled for 2028, the studio is aiming to reignite excitement among fans and strengthen the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
