Ryan Gosling trending with Black Panther? Sounds wild, right? But Marvel fans are in a frenzy, and here’s why. A new Marvel comic just introduced a character named Ketema — a white man with blond hair and blue eyes — as a version of Black Panther. The internet didn’t take long to make a connection: “Is this Marvel’s way of teasing Ryan Gosling in the MCU?”
People started talking. Some were laughing. Others were furious. And a few… were curious.
Let’s be honest — no one saw this coming. Marvel has always portrayed Black Panther as a symbol of African heritage and power. But now? The multiverse just opened a brand-new (and pretty controversial) door.
Who is Ketema, and Why Does He Look Like Ryan Gosling?
In Marvel Knights: The World to Come #1, Ketema shows up wearing the iconic Black Panther suit — but he looks nothing like T’Challa. He’s pale, blonde, and fits the exact profile of… Ryan Gosling.
Fans immediately picked up on it:
If any white man deserves to be Black Panther it needs to be Ryan Gosling. The meme factor would be crazy. Besides White Africans already exist lol. pic.twitter.com/pFMoR6AEur
— doof (@crowofthewest) June 6, 2025
The resemblance is so strong it almost feels intentional. And here’s the kicker — Gosling’s already been rumored to be in talks with Marvel for a while now. Could this be a soft tease? Is this Marvel planting seeds for something bigger?
We don’t know. But it sure feels like something’s brewing.
Fans React: Mixed Emotions, Memes, and Heated Debates
After the comic dropped, Twitter and Reddit exploded. Some fans joked about the “Ryan Gosling Panther.” Others were angry — feeling this move disrespects the legacy of Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa. And many are still trying to understand what Marvel is really up to.
Here’s what people are saying:
-
“Multiverse gone mad. Gosling is a dope actor but this ain’t it chief.”
-
“Imagine a world where Ryan Gosling and Michael B. Jordan are variants of the same hero 😳”
-
“Comics have always done weird things like this. Doesn’t mean it’ll show up in the movies.”
Marvel hasn’t confirmed anything. No statements. No hints. Just silence — which, honestly, makes the whole thing even more suspicious.
Why This Story Matters More Than You Think
Look — whether this is just a one-off comic or a tease for something in the MCU, it’s huge. Because it shows how Marvel is testing boundaries. They’re playing with the multiverse in a way that might lead to some unexpected — even controversial — stories on-screen.
And let’s not forget: Ryan Gosling is already working with Disney. He’s lined up for their Star Wars: Starfighter movie. He’s no stranger to franchise blockbusters. If Marvel wanted to shock the world with a crazy multiverse cameo, casting someone like Gosling would do it.
But at what cost? The Black Panther name carries weight. Legacy. Representation. Would changing that—even in one universe—risk damaging that history? Or could it open up new, bold storytelling?
What Could Happen Next?
-
Marvel could totally ignore the comic twist and move on.
-
Or they could use this version in a future “What If...?” animated episode.
-
OR — and this is the wild card — Gosling could appear as a multiversal Black Panther in Avengers: Secret Wars or Doomsday.
The truth? Only time will tell. But the buzz is real. The debates are loud. And Ryan Gosling just became the most talked-about Panther on the planet.
