Ryan Gosling says he's had 'discussions' about playing Ghost Rider in the MCU

Ryan Gosling isn't pouring water on the hot rumors that he's being eyed to play Ghost Rider in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Oscar-nominated actor previously expressed his interest in taking on the fiery antihero, but he's now confirming that "hope" is "alive" for him to finally hop on Johnny Blaze's motorcycle. (Hopefully he's better on a motorcycle than on the football field.) Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gosling was asked by host Josh Horowitz if he's met with MCU boss Kevin Feige about the role.

"Some discussions have been had," he coyly responded. "It's a complicated situation."

In 2007's Ghost Rider, Nicolas Cage played Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sold his soul and must hunt demons who've escaped from Hell. Cage then returned in the 2011 sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. A different incarnation of the character later joined the MCU when Gabriel Luna suited up as Robbie Reyes in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and he was set to headline a Ghost Rider series at Hulu before the project was ultimately shelved.

When told in 2022 that Gosling had a desire to take on the character, Feige said he'd "love to find a place for him in the MCU." (EW has reached out to Marvel for comment on Gosling's "discussions.") For now, Gosling will have to settle for the fact another member of his household has had the Ghost Rider experience.

Reminded that his partner Eva Mendes starred opposite Cage, Gosling declared, "I'm just happy one of us got to do it."