San Diego Comic-Con: Recap
People gather in the exhibition hall during the opening day of Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, U.S., July 23, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
The Celebrity Beat…
Approximately 7,000 Marvel fans packed the convention center hall at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, with some camping out for more than 30 hours to secure a coveted seat for the highly anticipated 40-minute panel. The event delivered a whirlwind of announcements, surprises, and star appearances that left fans buzzing.
In a surprising twist, Marvel revealed that Ryan Gosling will take on the mantle of Ghost Rider in a film scheduled for release in 2028, directed by Shawn Levy. The duo recently collaborated on the upcoming “Star Wars: Starfighter,” set for next year. Gosling’s casting replaces Nic Cage, who portrayed the fiery hero in previous films.
Fans also got a glimpse of Marvel’s upcoming “Black Panther 3,” announced with David Jonsson cast as T’Challa’s grown-up son—an addition that hints at the film exploring the legacy of Chadwick Boseman’s beloved character. The film is slated for release in 2028, with Jonsson known for his role in HBO’s “Industry.”
Ryan Reynolds made a playful appearance, disguised as a cosplayer donning a never-before-seen gray Deadpool costume. The actor jokingly inquired about joining “Avengers: Doomsday,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to the upcoming Marvel film.
Robert Downey Jr. also made his presence felt, hyping “Doomsday” with fans. Every seat at the panel was equipped with a Doctor Doom mask and cloak, and as Downey led the crowd in donning them, the theater erupted into cheers. The trailer shown for “Doomsday” provided a backstory for the villain, revealing his origins in the same universe as the Fantastic Four and his belief that everyone is living stolen lives.
Marvel announced that “Avengers: Doomsday” will hit theaters on December 18th.
Other Marvel stars on stage included Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, James Marsden, David Harbour, Letitia Wright, Lewis Pullman, and Kelsey Grammer. Hayley Atwell confirmed she is returning as Peggy Carter.
The weekend also marked the highly anticipated return of Rick Moranis to the big screen after over two decades. Moranis, who hasn’t starred in a film since 1997’s “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves,” appeared at a panel for the upcoming sequel “Spaceballs: The New One,” receiving a standing ovation. A heartfelt video message from 100-year-old Mel Brooks closed the segment, making it Moranis’s convention debut.
Other Highlights from Comic-Con:
– Prime Video debuted a teaser for “Carrie,” based on Stephen King’s novel, directed by Mike Flanagan, premiering October 7th.
– “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” announced the appearance of the Balrog in Season 3, voiced by Simon Pegg. Actor Jamie Campbell Bower also joined the panel and later DJ’d at the afterparty.
– Apple TV showcased a trailer for “Matchbox the Movie,” starring John Cena and Jessica Biel, premiering October 9th.
– Green Day brought an ice cream truck to promote their upcoming movie, “Nimrods,” with Billie Joe Armstrong performing “Basket Case” atop the truck while band members handed out ice cream.
– Guillermo Del Toro announced his plans to re-release “Pan’s Labyrinth” in theaters this October in stunning 3-D, emphasizing, “Absolutely no goddamn A.I. was involved.”
As the weekend drew to a close, fans left exhilarated and eager for what’s next in the worlds of Marvel and beyond. With blockbuster releases on the horizon and surprises around every corner, Comic-Con 2024 proved once again to be the ultimate celebration of pop culture.
SOURCE: Hollywood Reporter
