Eva Mendes Backs Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider Casting With 2012 Film Nod

Q: Will Eva Mendes reprise her 2007 role to join Ryan Gosling in his highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe debut?

No official sign points to Eva Mendes reprising Roxanne Simpson in Ryan Gosling’s new Marvel Studios *Ghost Rider* film. What is confirmed is that Mendes publicly supported Gosling’s casting after Marvel announced at San Diego Comic-Con that he will lead a standalone *Ghost Rider* movie, directed by Shawn Levy and scheduled for 2028. Her Instagram caption, “Love, Roxy,” was a clear nod to the character she played opposite Nicolas Cage in the 2007 film, but it read as a playful reference rather than an announcement of involvement. The available reporting and Marvel’s Hall H presentation confirmed Gosling’s casting, Levy’s directing role, and Jonathan Tropper as screenwriter, but did not mention Mendes joining the cast. Plot details also remain under wraps, so there is currently no public evidence that Marvel plans to bring back her character. There is some fan speculation because Mendes has a direct connection to the earlier *Ghost Rider* film and because Marvel has increasingly used legacy characters and multiverse concepts. Her own “parallel universe” post added to that intrigue. But at this stage, that is speculation only. A return cannot be ruled out, especially if Marvel chooses to reference earlier *Ghost Rider* adaptations, but as of now there is no confirmed reprise, cameo, or casting announcement involving Eva Mendes.

3 articles · Updated · E! NEWS · Jul 27

July 26 brought Eva Mendes’ public reaction to Ryan Gosling’s new MCU role: she reposted a fan edit of The Place Beyond the Pines and captioned it “Love, Roxy.”
The post tied Gosling’s Ghost Rider casting to the 2012 film where the couple met, using footage of his motorcycle-stunt character with the newly unveiled Ghost Rider logo.
“Roxy” appeared to reference Roxanne Simpson, Mendes’ character in 2007’s Ghost Rider opposite Nicolas Cage, adding a personal link to Gosling becoming the first MCU version of the character.
Marvel announced Gosling’s casting at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H on July 25, where the 45-year-old said Ghost Rider was a role he had wanted “for a very long time.”
The standalone film will pair Gosling again with director Shawn Levy after Star Wars: Starfighter, though plot details remain under wraps.