Marvel’s New ‘Ghost Rider’ Film Can Right A Major MCU Wrong
The recent 2026 San Diego Comic-Con introduced us to a few upcoming films that included a Shawn Levy-directed Ghost Rider (2028) film starring Ryan Gosling. As of now, we have no idea which version of the character Gosling will play or even what the story would be, but all hope isn't lost.
As this news broke, it was also confirmed that the long-planned Blade film starring Mahershala Ali was officially canceled as he dropped out of the role. This rightfully frustrated many fans who had spent years waiting, but something good could still come of this with the help of the Spirit of Vengeance.
‘Blade’s Cancellation Took Years to Confirm
Following the massive success of Black Panther (2018), it proved that the Marvel Cinematic Universe could deliver important and entertaining Black-led superhero films, which was desperately needed in the series. That following year at San Diego Comic-Con, it was confirmed that Blade was the next project being worked on with Ali to star.
Unfortunately, as the years progressed, there were no substantial updates aside from the story, which initially had the movie set as a period piece. As the film had three rounds of directors chosen, costume designer Ruth E. Carter also ended up using her costumes for Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025).
In the end, the constant shifts of story and directors, as well as the schedules of actors like Ali and Mia Goth, who was cast as Lilith, resulted in the cancellation of the film in 2026. The only remnants of Blade in the MCU were a voice cameo in Eternals (2021) and an appearance as Moon Knight in Marvel Zombies (2025). The tragedy is that while fans were excited, it still wasn't enough to ensure the movie would ever take off.
‘Ghost Rider’ Can Finally Allude to Blade’s Return
With Ghost Rider, it represents a new era for the MCU and its efforts to bring its supernatural stories to life. Blade should've been the character it began with, as it was his film that started everything back in 1998. But now, that is not the case, and it's something fans will never forget.
Even still, there's a chance we can salvage something from this loss, as Ghost Rider has grown so much in popularity over the years. With Mephisto canon thanks to Ironheart (2025) and vampires being mentioned throughout Phase 4, we could have Ghost Rider be the anti-hero that meets Blade on the big screen.
It may not be for a team-up in a movie, but it would do wonders to explain the world and show that Blade still matters in the MCU on a massive scale. With werewolves, Man-Thing, and even witches all representing the dark corners of the franchise, Blade and Ghost Rider can and should share the load of responsibility that comes with it. But by using Ghost Rider to tease Blade's presence still being in the world, it also sets up an even greater idea.
‘Ghost Rider’ Opens Many Doors for the MCU’s Supernatural Future
Back in the '90s when Ghost Rider was at his height, he joined a team of supernatural anti-heroes called the Midnight Sons. Ghost Rider and Johnny Blaze were integral additions, but there have been iterations over the years that added more characters. Since then, Moon Knight and Blade have joined Ghost Rider, Clea, and even Doctor Strange.
Ironically, all of these characters have appeared or will appear in the MCU, but each of them has been missing since they appeared in their respective shows or movies. Adding in Man-Thing, Elsa Bloodstone, and the Werewolf by Night, we would have an impressive lineup of supernatural anti-heroes that could challenge ultimate evil.
Blade deserved and still deserves his time to shine on the big screen, and this cancellation shows that if the MCU wants to do right by the fans, they will have to do the most to ensure Blade is still here. With Ghost Rider, it's a perfect gateway to bring in a new hero and reassure worried fans that what happened in the past won't define Blade. The dark side of the Marvel Universe has great characters, and Ghost Rider could finally bring Blade and so many others to the forefront.
