Jordan Karlesson
Ryan Gosling is reportedly dismissing rumors that he will star in an upcoming film centered around Marvel superhero Nova — but expressing interest in playing Ghost Rider, a character previously portrayed by Nicholas Cage.
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Gosling, co-star of Netflix’s new big-budget film The Gray Man with Chris Evans, only has interest in playing the role of supernatural stunt motorcyclist Ghost Rider, according to a tweet that MTV News reporter Josh Horowitz posted on Tuesday.
Per the tweet: “Ryan and I chatted about the Nova rumors yesterday which he said aren’t true. BUT this morning Ryan reached out to me to say there is one superhero he wants to play…GHOST RIDER.”
Cage starred in the critically panned but commercially successful film adaptation of Ghost Rider released in 2007. Cage reprised his Ghost Rider role in 2011’s Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, after which he swore off any more involvement with the character.
Cage still discusses his performance as Ghost Rider, however. He recently said in a Jimmy Kimmel Live! interview that he had explored the concept of fire through his role as the character, whose head is a flaming skull.
Incidentally, the Marvel character Nova originated in the comic book series The Man Called Nova when a high school student named Richard Rider becomes a superhero, and partners with Spider-Man and Thor. The first issue of the comic book series hit stands in 1976.
Marvel continues to tease a Nova project, though it remains unclear whether the adaptation of the sci-fi storyline would be for the big screen or a series on Disney+.
Meanwhile, social media went abuzz last month after the release of the first photo of Gosling starring as Ken opposite Margot Robbie in the titular role of the upcoming film Barbie. The movie is slated for a theatrical release on July 21, 2023.
