Ryan Gosling has been rumored to be joining the MCU for several years, and there are many powerful Marvel Comics characters that he could portray.

For a number of years, there has been speculation that actor Ryan Gosling could join the MCU, and there are several powerful characters from Marvel Comics that he could bring to life in Marvel Studios’ ever-growing superhero franchise. Ryan Gosling rose to prominence as a child actor in the 1990s, though his breakthrough roles include 2001’s The Believer and 2004’s The Notebook. Since then, Gosling has gone on to establish himself as a coveted name in Hollywood, taking roles in Drive, The Ides of March, La La Land, Blade Runner 2049 and 2023’s acclaimed Barbie, among many other projects, and many suspect a role in the MCU could be next.

Ryan Gosling has been eyed for MCU roles for many years, most notably for Stephen Strange in 2016’s Doctor Strange, prior to Benedict Cumberbatch’s casting. Over the years, rumors have connected Gosling to a number of potential MCU roles, but none of them have ever come to fruition. However, recent speculation suggests that Gosling is once again in talks with Marvel Studios to claim a role in the MCU (via The Hollywood Handle), though it’s unclear whether these rumors actually have a basis in reality. Should he be cast, there are several powerful Marvel Comics characters who Ryan Gosling would be a perfect fit for in the MCU’s Phase 6.

10Marvel Studios May Introduce A New Variant Of Kang The Conqueror

Kang The Conqueror May Be Recast After Jonathan Majors’ Conviction

Jonathan Majors debuted as the MCU’s Kang the Conqueror during 2021’s Loki season 1, billed as the Multiverse Saga’s primary antagonist. However, Majors’ March 2023 arrest and December conviction on charges of assault and harassment have left Kang’s future unclear. It’s possible that Marvel Studios may recast the supervillain, as the multiverse allows for an infinite number of different-looking variants to appear, and several actors have been suggested for the role. Ryan Gosling could be cast as a variant of Kang the Conqueror, allowing the MCU to continue with Kang’s storyline in the Multiverse Saga, though there is also speculation that Marvel Studios may be moving away from Kang completely.

9Ka-Zar Is The Protector Of The Savage Land

The MCU’s Savage Land May Have Already Been Seen In Phase 4

Kevin Plunder, a.k.a. Ka-Zar, was introduced to Marvel Comics in 1965’s The X-Men #10 as the superhuman protector of the Savage Land, an important location to the X-Men. The Savage Land, a place populated by dinosaurs, may have been glimpsed during 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, perhaps hinting at Ka-Zar’s upcoming debut, and Ryan Gosling certainly has the perfect physique for the Lord of the Savage Land. With the X-Men debuting in the MCU soon, Ka-Zar could become a powerful ally to the mutant team, and Ryan Gosling would bring a brilliant stoicism and power to the obscure role.

8Ryan Gosling’s Silver Surfer Could Debut In Fantastic Four

Galactus & The Silver Surfer Are Rumored Villains For The MCU’s Phase 6

In recent months, Galactus and his Herald, the Silver Surfer, have been rumored to appear in Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four reboot in Phase 6, and the rumor mill has been spinning regarding who will be cast in these much-anticipated roles. While Javier Bardem has become a popular fan-cast for Galactus, Ryan Gosling could take on the role of the Silver Surfer, which could set up a lengthy cosmic future for the actor in the MCU. Depicted as both a hero and a villain, portraying the Silver Surfer would allow Gosling the chance to deliver a layered performance, perhaps using his previous sci-fi role in Blade Runner 2049 as inspiration.

7Quasar’s Greatest Weapons Have Already Been Seen In The MCU

Wendell Vaughn’s Quasar Uses The Quantum Bands In Marvel Comics

Cosmic superhero Wendell Vaughn, a.k.a. Quasar, has been speculated to be coming to the MCU for a number of years, especially since the Multiverse Saga has begun to unfold. With the introduction of the Quantum Bands in Ms. Marvel and The Marvels, Quasar’s debut has become more likely, as they are his signature weapon in Marvel Comics. While Kamala Khan will be reluctant to give up her bangles, Ryan Gosling’s potential debut as Quasar would allow a new cosmic superhero to enter the MCU in lieu of further confirmed Guardians of the Galaxy projects. Gosling certainly has the look and action background that makes him perfect for the MCU’s Quasar.

6Ryan Gosling Can Deliver A Suave & Sophisticated Norman Osborn

Tom Holland’s Peter Parker Hasn’t Met Earth-616’s Norman Osborn Yet

Since Tom Holland entered the MCU as Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, it has only been a matter of time before Norman Osborn also makes his debut. The iconic Marvel Comics villain could get a suave, confident and sophisticated makeover if Ryan Gosling assumes the role, potentially for the MCU’s Spider-Man 4 or beyond. Osborn, aside from being the villainous Green Goblin, is a major fixture in Marvel Comics’ Thunderbolts storylines, and even acts as the Director of SHIELD for some time, so this casting would set up a huge future for Ryan Gosling in the MCU, both in the franchise’s street-level stories, and in the wider continuity.

5Mister Fantastic’s Official Casting Hasn’t Yet Been Announced

Pedro Pascal Is Rumored To Be Portraying The MCU’s Reed Richards

After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox was finalized in 2019, speculation began to rise regarding who would be cast as the MCU’s Fantastic Four for their upcoming reboot. John Krasinski took on the role of Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but the MCU’s official Reed Richards hasn’t yet been revealed. While Pedro Pascal has been suggested for Reed Richards in recent months, talk of Ryan Gosling meeting with Marvel Studios could suggest he is in the running for the coveted role, though this would likely be a complete reimagining of the smartest man alive for his MCU Phase 6 debut.

4Marvel Studios’ Nova Project Still Needs Its Cosmic Lead

MCU’s Nova Project Was Confirmed In March 2022

A Marvel Studios series focused on Marvel Comics’ Richard Rider, a.k.a. Nova, was confirmed to be in development back in March 2022, but since then, news on the project has been scarce. As of December 2023, there have been no casting announcements for Nova, but the role of Richard Rider could fall to Ryan Gosling. In July 2022, Ryan Gosling debunked Nova casting rumors, but MCU actors have previously denied being cast in roles that they eventually went on to play, so this could have been a red herring. Following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the MCU needs more cosmic stories, and Nova is the best place for this.

3Cyclops’ MCU Debut Opens The Door For The X-Men

The X-Men Will Soon Be Debuting In The MCU

James Marsden’s Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, is widely considered to have been wasted in Fox’s X-Men Universe, so Marvel Studios will surely be taking steps to rectify these mistakes with the character’s inevitable debut in the MCU. Casting an actor on the caliber of Ryan Gosling as the MCU’s Cyclops would help to ensure this, as his notoriety and screen presence would bring layers to Cyclops that have never been seen before. Leading man Gosling could certainly be imagined as the steadfast and loyal leader of the X-Men, and with development of Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot in full swing, this could be the first casting announcement on the horizon.

2Doctor Doom Is A Rumored Villain For The MCU’s Phase 6

Doctor Doom Could Replace Kang The Conqueror In The Multiverse Saga

Following recent controversies surrounding Kang the Conqueror actor Jonathan Majors, culminating in his December 2023 conviction and firing from Marvel Studios, Doctor Doom has been suggested as the perfect replacement as the Multiverse Saga’s new major villain. The iconic Marvel Comics foe plays a huge role in 2015’s Secret Wars event, so it’s possible the villain could debut in the MCU prior to 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. While the likes of Cillian Murphy and Mads Mikkelsen have been suggested for the commanding role, Ryan Gosling could bring a sinister sense of humor and stoic confidence to the role of Doctor Doom – even when performing primarily behind a mask.​​​​​​​

1Ryan Gosling Has Expressed His Desire To Portray Ghost Rider In The MCU

Several Characters Have Become Ghost Rider In Marvel Comics

During the same 2022 interview in which he denied playing Nova, Ryan Gosling suggested he’d want to play Ghost Rider, instead. Several characters have adopted the Ghost Rider moniker in Marvel Comics, but stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze is perhaps the most well-known, and the best fit for Ryan Gosling in the MCU. In response to Gosling expressing his desire to play Ghost Rider, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige revealed to MTV News that he wants Gosling in the MCU. With the recent introduction of Marvel Spotlight, and more focus on mature stories in the Multiverse Saga, now is the perfect time for Ryan Gosling​​​​​​​ to bring Ghost Rider to life.