David Jonsson is Marvel’s new Black Panther, and Ryan Gosling will play Ghost Rider. Marvel Studios made both announcements at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026.
David Jonsson Named the New Black Panther
David Jonsson will play the son of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa in Black Panther 3. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed the casting during the studio’s Hall H panel at Comic-Con. Jonsson walked on stage and thanked Ryan Coogler, Feige, and the Marvel team for the role. (Hollywood Reporter)
Jonsson’s character is Prince T’Challa II, also known as Toussaint. The character was introduced as a child at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He is the son of T’Challa and Nakia, played by Lupita Nyong’o. The upcoming film will show him as an adult, ready to take up the Black Panther mantle. (Essence)
Who Is David Jonsson
David Jonsson is 32 years old and has built his career through strong performances in film and television. He appeared in Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, and he was part of the main cast of HBO’s Industry for two seasons. His work in The Long Walk earned him wide praise from critics and fans. (The Week)

Before his Marvel casting, rumors had linked actor Damson Idris to the role. Marvel instead chose Jonsson, whose recent performances made him a rising name in Hollywood. His casting places him at the center of one of Marvel’s most important franchises. (Screen Rant)
Black Panther 3 Release Date and Director
Ryan Coogler will return to direct Black Panther 3. The film will arrive in theaters on December 15, 2028. It will be shot in large-format celluloid, and it will take place after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. (Den of Geek)
Letitia Wright and Winston Duke joined Coogler and Jonsson on stage at Comic-Con. Wright plays Shuri, who took on the Black Panther role in Wakanda Forever. Duke plays M’Baku. Denzel Washington will also join the film in a role written for him by Coogler. (Deadline)
The Black Panther franchise began in 2018 with Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa. That film earned more than 1.3 billion dollars worldwide and became the first superhero movie nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020. Wakanda Forever, released in 2022, addressed his death and earned more than 850 million dollars worldwide. (Variety)
Ryan Gosling to Play Ghost Rider
Marvel Studios also announced that Ryan Gosling will star as Ghost Rider. The film is in development and is set for release in 2028. Gosling will play Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who becomes a supernatural agent of vengeance. (Marvel)
Shawn Levy, who directed Deadpool & Wolverine, will direct the new Ghost Rider film. Gosling and Levy are currently working together on Star Wars: Starfighter, which is set to release in May 2027. Levy told the Comic-Con crowd that the two of them discussed Ghost Rider ideas while filming that project. (Hollywood Reporter)
Gosling told the audience that he has wanted to play Ghost Rider for a long time. His longtime partner, Eva Mendes, starred in the original 2007 Ghost Rider film alongside Nicolas Cage. Cage played Johnny Blaze in that film and its 2012 sequel, both released by Sony. The film rights to Ghost Rider have since returned to Marvel. (Deadline)

Comic-Con Announcement Summary
| Announcement | Actor | Character | Director | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Panther 3 | David Jonsson | T’Challa II (Toussaint) | Ryan Coogler | December 15, 2028 |
| Ghost Rider | Ryan Gosling | Johnny Blaze | Shawn Levy | 2028 |
Both films were announced during Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con on July 25, 2026. The panel also featured the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. (AP News via WBNG)
FAQ: David Jonsson Named New Black Panther as Ryan Gosling Joins Marvel’s Ghost Rider
Q: Who is playing the new Black Panther in the MCU?
A: David Jonsson has been announced as the new Black Panther, playing the son of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa.
Q: When was David Jonsson announced as Black Panther?
A: Marvel Studios made the announcement during its Comic-Con International presentation on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in San Diego.
Q: Who is Ryan Gosling playing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
A: Ryan Gosling will be playing Ghost Rider in a film set for release in 2028.
Q: Who is directing Ryan Gosling’s Ghost Rider film?
Q: When does “Black Panther III” come out?
A: “Black Panther III” is set for release on December 15, 2028.
Q: Who else appeared on stage during the Black Panther announcement?
A: Jonsson joined Oscar-winning “Black Panther” franchise director Ryan Coogler on stage alongside Letitia Wright and Winston Duke.
Q: What did David Jonsson say about joining the Black Panther franchise?
A: Jonsson said, “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.”
Q: What other roles is David Jonsson known for?
A: The 32-year-old actor is known for roles in “Industry,” “The Long Walk,” and “Alien: Romulus.”
Q: Why was there speculation about who would become the new Black Panther?
A: Boseman died in 2020, and ever since 2022’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” revealed that T’Challa had a son, fans have been guessing who might take over the mantle, with Damson Idris and Wright also considered contenders.
Q: Has anyone played Ghost Rider before Ryan Gosling?
A: Nicolas Cage starred in an original standalone “Ghost Rider” film released in 2007, a year before “Iron Man” kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A sequel was later released by Sony.






















