Whatever metric you look at, the MCU is on a downward trend. Interest in superhero movies in general is down. The box office, which used to be a boon for Marvel no matter what (the maligned but overhated Captain Marvel made $1 billion), is slipping. Critics are mostly unimpressed.
It’s hard to say whether or not all of this will eventually lead to the end of the MCU, but it is fair to say that this is a tense and important time for Marvel. They certainly know that they have to nail it for a while in order to get the box office flowing and convince fans that they’ve learned from their mistakes.
It has certainly led to some desperation. While I’m cautiously optimistic and shamefully intrigued by all that Avengers: Doomsday is attempting to do, stuffing every possible character into a movie with the most iconic Marvel villain who’s been seen for exactly one nanosecond to this point is a little desperate.
That desperation, though, may have led to some brilliance.
Recent MCU Castings Are Absolute Home Runs
The MCU is certainly feeling the heat. Pressure can make diamonds, or it can make one crumble. Time will tell what Marvel will do, and there’s certainly potential for both. Doomsday and Secret Wars are high on the risk factor scale, but two recent announcements are not.
At Hall H during San Diego Comic Con, which is where some of the biggest movie news comes from, Marvel announced that Ryan Gosling would be the star of the next Ghost Rider film, coming in 2028. Gosling was a popular fan cast, for good reason, and he even expressed interest in the role several years ago.
Gosling is on a heater right now, and he’s proven himself as one of the best working actors today. Project Hail Mary may net him a Best Actor award nomination. Adding him to the MCU in any capacity is brilliant, but as Ghost Rider, it’s impeccable.
He’s got a proven track record of playing characters similar to Ghost Rider. He has real-life motorcycle experience, which will help him play in more scenes than a stunt double might have to step in for. Obviously, personal interest in the character helps make Gosling an excellent choice because there’s existing passion.
There is a potential Shawn Levy problem, though. For all the excitement that Gosling’s casting is causing, there is equal or potentially more trepidation about Levy being the director. Levy’s filmography is full of solid movies, but entrusting him with such a vital piece of the MCU’s path forward is a risk, especially after Deadpool & Wolverine received such mixed reviews.
The other bit of casting news comes with no downside. David Jonsson has been tapped to play T’Challa’s son, the new Black Panther who was teased at the end of the sequel. It is impossible to describe how excellent this choice is. If you haven’t seen his roles in Alien: Romulus or The Long Walk, go check them out. You’ll immediately be thrilled by his addition to the MCU.
Jonsson is fantastic, as is Gosling. But there’s no directorial concern with Black Panther III, which is slated for December 2028. Ryan Coogler is back to write and direct, fresh off a couple of Oscar wins for Sinners. If anyone can be trusted with saving Marvel, Coogler is that someone.
It is going to be fascinating to see how all of this plays out, but there’s at least reason for excitement for the next few years of Marvel, even if they end up being the dying embers of a once-brilliant flame.
