Eva Mendes celebrates Ryan Gosling's 'Ghost Rider' casting with nostalgic nod to their love story

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eva Mendes celebrated husband Ryan Gosling's official casting as 'Ghost Rider' in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by sharing nostalgic social media tributes after the announcement at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 25.

The duo married in a private ceremony around November 2022 after being together since 2011. The announcement also marked a full-circle moment, as Mendes previously starred in the 2007 'Ghost Rider' film alongside Nicolas Cage.

Eva Mendes reacts to Ryan Gosling's 'Ghost Rider' casting

After Gosling was announced as the MCU’s new 'Ghost Rider' during Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Mendes reacted by sharing a tribute to 'The Place Beyond the Pines', the 2012 film where the couple first met.

On July 26, Mendes reposted a fan-edited clip of the film’s opening scene on Instagram. The video featured a tracking shot of a shirtless, tattooed Gosling as motorcycle stunt driver Luke Glanton walking through a carnival before climbing onto his bike. 

The editor overlaid the newly released 'Ghost Rider' logo on the footage and wrote, “from this intro only I thought Ryan Gosling can be a perfect casting for ghost rider role.”

Mendes, who shares daughters Esmeralda and Amada with Gosling, captioned the post, “Love, Roxy.”

The caption appeared to reference Roxanne Simpson, the character she portrayed opposite Cage in the 2007 'Ghost Rider' film.

The actress later shared another fan-made montage on her Instagram Stories, describing it as “Ghost Rider in a parallel universe.” Thanking the creator, Mendes praised the “beautiful parallel universe connection,” highlighting the irony that Gosling is now taking on the Marvel character after she previously appeared in the franchise.

Shawn Levy backs Ryan Gosling as 'Ghost Rider'

Gosling was officially unveiled as the next 'Ghost Rider' by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

The actor, dressed in a red jacket and black trousers that echoed the Ghost Rider logo, addressed fans onstage.

“As you know, this is a character I’ve wanted to play for a very long time. So, Kevin, Josh Horowitz, Hall H, thank you,” he said. The new standalone 'Ghost Rider' film will be directed by Shawn Levy, marking his second collaboration with Gosling after the upcoming 'Star Wars: Starfighter'.

Levy also reflected on returning to Hall H after presenting 'Deadpool & Wolverine' in 2024. “I’m having the greatest flashback vibes here, because I was here two years ago when we showed Deadpool & Wolverine,” he said.

He continued, “Gosling is the absolute. I say that with tremendous respect. We spent a lot of time last year making Starfighter, and the opportunity as Ryan started talking about this character, I was like, ‘Bro let’s ride.’ We’ll see you in 2028!”

Cage first portrayed motorcycle stuntman Johnny Blaze in the 2007 film. He later reprised the role in the 2011 sequel, 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance', although Mendes did not return.