Connor Storrie in Talks for Villain Role in Ryan Gosling's Marvel 'Ghost Rider'

Actor Connor Storrie is currently in discussions to take on the role of the primary antagonist in Marvel Studios' upcoming feature film, Ghost Rider. The project, which stars Ryan Gosling, is directed by Shawn Levy and based on a script by Jonathan Tropper. While Marvel Studios has declined to confirm specific casting details, multiple industry sources indicate that Storrie is being considered for the villain role opposite Gosling, who is presumed to portray the titular character, Johnny Blaze.

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 28, 2028. Production is planned to begin in New York next year, with the project moving quickly from its initial announcement to pre-production stages. The casting news follows the rapid rise of Storrie, who gained significant public attention through his role in the hockey drama series Heated Rivalry. This potential Marvel role would mark a major step in his career, following his breakout performance in the series that premiered in November 2025.

Background

The Ghost Rider character has a long history in Marvel Comics, first appearing in Marvel Spotlight issue number five in 1972. Created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Mike Ploog, the character is Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who makes a deal with the demon Mephisto to save his adoptive father, becoming bound to the Spirit of Vengeance. The character has previously been portrayed on screen by Nicolas Cage in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and its 2011 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. In the Disney+ series Iron Hart, the character Mephisto was portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen.

This new film reunites Ryan Gosling with director Shawn Levy and screenwriter Jonathan Tropper, who previously collaborated on Star Wars: Starfighter. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige first announced the project during a presentation at San Diego Comic-Con in July. The production team includes producers Louis D’Esposito and Stephen Broussard, alongside Levy and Gosling. Executive producers for the film are Richie Palmer and Jessie Henderson. Linus Sandgren, who worked on Dune Part 3, has been hired as the director of photography, and the film is set to be shot on film.

Storrie’s recent career trajectory includes several high-profile projects. In addition to the second season of Heated Rivalry, which is currently filming and set to premiere in the spring of 2027 on HBO Max, he is scheduled to appear in Sarah Polley’s The Bell Jar for Focus Features. He will also star in Craig Zobel’s thriller Turpentine opposite Melissa McCarthy, as well as A24’s Please and Peaked. His visibility has increased further through brand deals and a hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

Why it matters

The casting of Connor Storrie represents a significant shift for the actor, moving from television stardom to a leading role in a major superhero franchise. For Marvel Studios, the project aims to reintroduce the Ghost Rider character to a new audience after the mixed reception of the previous live-action films. The involvement of established creative talent, including Levy and Tropper, suggests a high-profile production. The quick turnaround from announcement to pre-production indicates strong momentum for the project within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Storrie’s representation includes CAA, Linden Entertainment, Shelter PR, and Yorn Levine.

What happens next

Shooting for Ghost Rider is expected to commence in New York in 2027. The film is targeted for a global release on July 28, 2028. Meanwhile, Storrie continues work on the second season of Heated Rivalry, which is slated to premiere in the spring of 2027. Final casting decisions for the villain role have not been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, which maintains a policy of not commenting on ongoing negotiations.