Marvel Studios has reportedly shifted leadership of their upcoming supernatural team film from the long-troubled Blade to Ghost Rider, marking a significant pivot for the studio’s occult corner of the MCU.
According to trusted industry insider Daniel Richtman, Marvel Studios is now positioning Ghost Rider as the leader of the Midnight Suns project, stepping into a role many assumed would belong to Mahershala Ali’s Blade. The reported leadership change comes as Blade faces indefinite delays after being removed from Marvel’s release schedule in October 2024, creating an opportunity for the Spirit of Vengeance to take center stage in Marvel’s supernatural universe.
Breaking Down the Leadership Shake-Up
The Midnight Suns movie is reportedly back in active development after being placed on hold, with Ghost Rider now positioned to lead the supernatural team. This represents a dramatic departure from comic book tradition, where Blade has typically been associated with leadership roles in supernatural Marvel teams.
The character selection raises eyebrows among fans familiar with Ghost Rider’s traditionally solitary nature. In the comics, Ghost Riders are notorious for working alone and often clash with other supernatural heroes. The latest comic iteration shows Johnny Blaze leading a team that includes Blade, Moon Knight, Elsa Bloodstone, Doctor Voodoo, Man-Thing, Iron Fist, and Wong, suggesting Marvel Studios may be drawing from recent storylines where the character has taken on more collaborative roles.
Ryan Gosling Connection Fuels Speculation
The Ghost Rider leadership reports coincide with persistent rumors about Ryan Gosling potentially joining the MCU as the Spirit of Vengeance. Multiple sources have suggested Marvel Studios wants Gosling for the role, with reports indicating he could debut as early as Avengers: Doomsday.
Gosling has publicly expressed interest in playing Ghost Rider, telling MTV News’ Josh Horowitz “I told Josh I would like to play Ghost Rider,” while Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige responded positively, stating “Ryan is amazing. I’d love to find a place for him in the MCU”. The A-list actor’s star power could provide the marketing appeal necessary to lead a supernatural ensemble, even if it contradicts the character’s typical lone wolf persona.
Blade’s Development Nightmare Continues
The decision to pivot to Ghost Rider appears directly related to Blade’s unprecedented production troubles. First announced at Comic-Con 2019, Blade has been in development for nearly six years – the same timeframe from Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man casting to The Avengers release.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently acknowledged the delays, explaining “We didn’t want to simply just put a leather outfit on him and have him start killing vampires. It had to be unique. We didn’t feel like, as we often do, you can have a good script and make it a great script through production”.
The project has burned through extensive creative talent:
- Directors: Bassam Tariq (departed September 2022) and Yann Demange (exited June 2024)
- Writers: At least five screenwriters including Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Beau DeMayo, Michael Starrbury, Nic Pizzolatto, and Eric Pearson
- Cast Changes: Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre were both removed from the project, with Lindo describing how the film “just went off the rails”
Midnight Suns Roster Taking Shape
With Ghost Rider reportedly leading the team, other confirmed elements include Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight returning in movie format rather than a Disney+ series continuation. Additional supernatural characters already established in the MCU could join the roster:
- Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac) – confirmed to return in theatrical format
- Werewolf by Night (Gael García Bernal) – introduced in acclaimed Disney+ special
- Man-Thing – appeared in Werewolf by Night
- Blade (Mahershala Ali) – if development issues resolve
- Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata) – introduced in Agatha All Along with ties to Ghost Rider lore
The Disney+ series Agatha All Along strategically introduced Jennifer Kale, a character with deep comic connections to Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, and the Midnight Sons, suggesting Marvel has been laying groundwork for this supernatural expansion.
Industry Impact and Fan Reactions
The reported leadership change highlights Marvel Studios’ broader recalibration following recent box office disappointments and production delays. Kevin Feige characterized Blade’s delays as symptomatic of Marvel’s “over-expansion” during the Disney+ content push, indicating a more selective approach to project development.
For fans of the source material, Ghost Rider leading a team represents a significant character evolution. The Spirit of Vengeance has traditionally been portrayed as reluctant to work with others, making this potential leadership role a bold creative choice that could either revitalize the character or alienate purists.
What This Means for Marvel’s Supernatural Future
Reports indicate Marvel Studios is fast-tracking the Midnight Suns project and actively searching for a director, with Michael Giacchino (Werewolf by Night) previously rumored for the role. Additional rumors suggest the film could feature Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto as a central villain, connecting to his upcoming appearance in the Ironheart series.
The Ghost Rider leadership decision appears to solve multiple problems for Marvel: circumventing Blade’s development issues while capitalizing on Ryan Gosling’s potential star power and the character’s existing multimedia presence through the successful Midnight Suns video game.
Looking Ahead: Release Timeline and Expectations
With Blade removed from Disney’s release calendar and no confirmed release date, the Midnight Suns project could potentially beat the solo Daywalker film to theaters. If production begins in 2026 as some reports suggest, Blade could find itself pushed to Marvel’s 2028 theatrical slate, making the Midnight Suns film Ali’s actual MCU debut rather than his solo outing.
The supernatural team-up represents Marvel’s most ambitious attempt to expand beyond traditional superhero fare into horror-adjacent territory. Success could open doors for additional occult characters and storylines, while failure might signal retreat from Marvel’s darker corners.
As Marvel Studios continues to navigate post-Endgame growing pains, the Ghost Rider leadership gambit will test whether star power and established supernatural characters can overcome decades of comic book tradition – and whether fans are ready for a Spirit of Vengeance who plays well with others.