U.S. social media platforms light up like Wakandan tech. From New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Houston, memes flood timelines. One in particular sets the tone: Ryan Gosling, blonde and brooding, photoshopped into the sleek, black vibranium suit of Black Panther.
A post from MCU Source suggesting that Gosling yes, Barbie and La La Land Ryan Gosling might take on the role of a multiverse Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Cue the chaos. One tweet jokes,
“Ryan Panther? The multiverse is WILD,”
while others express confusion and curiosity.
To understand the buzz, it helps to rewind. Black Panther isn’t just a superhero; he’s a symbol. Debuting in 1966, the character of T’Challa became the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics. In the MCU, the late Chadwick Boseman brought him to life in Captain America: Civil War (2016), and left a cultural legacy that resonated globally before his untimely passing in 2020. Letitia Wright’s Shuri carried the mantle in Wakanda Forever (2022).
But then came Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 on June 4, 2025. Enter Ketema a white, blond-haired character claiming to be T’Challa’s son, who wins the right to become the next Black Panther in a ceremonial duel. With sharp features and piercing blue eyes immediately reminded fans of… you guessed it Ryan Gosling.
News outlets like SuperHeroHype and Bounding Into Comics have covered Ketema’s debut but classify Gosling speculation as fan-fueled fantasy, driven by a meme that first surfaced years ago mocking Hollywood whitewashing.
On June 6, 2025, X user @GRE8TBLACKSHARK posted,
“This Gosling Black Panther thing is a meme gone wild. No receipts. No casting calls. Just fan fiction with Wi-Fi.”
Even Gosling, currently locked into Star Wars: Starfighter (set to release May 2027), hasn’t commented.
American fans aren’t just laughing they’re reflecting. The multiverse allows creative freedom, sure, but Black Panther isn’t just another hero to swap around.
On June 6, 2025, @Howlettbunii tweeted:
“Black Panther is a cultural crown. He’s not just powerful he’s Black power personified. A white variant? That’s not representation. That’s erasure.”
As of now, Ryan Gosling has not been cast in any MCU role, let alone as a new Black Panther. The idea was born from a meme, reignited by the visual of Ketema in Marvel’s latest comic. Marvel has made no announcements, and Gosling is focused elsewhere.
Still, the conversation reveals a lot about the power of fandom, the speed of digital misinformation, and the importance of representation. As the MCU’s multiverse continues to expand, so does the need to tell stories that respect the roots of the characters fans cherish most.
