Despite only appearing in a handful of missions, one of the most popular characters from the 2009 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was Simon "Ghost" Riley. Ghost's popularity was enough for Infinity Ward to move forward with Call of Duty: Ghosts, a game that featured characters wearing similar skull masks as the one worn by Riley in Modern Warfare 2, piggybacking off the character's status as a fan favorite. Ghost will be returning in the 2022 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and now the actor playing him has been revealed.
The original actor for Ghost in the 2009 Modern Warfare 2 was Craig Fairbrass, but he was replaced by Jeff Leach when Ghost showed up in the 2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot. Controversial comments by Leach saw Activision distance itself from the actor, and so it was unclear who would be portraying the character in the new version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that's set to release later this year.
Now that Activision has announced the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 release date and shown off its cover art, which features Ghost prominently, the actor playing the iconic character has been confirmed. This time around, Ghost will be played by Samuel Roukin, an actor and DJ who has appeared on television in shows like Agents of SHIELD and Turn: Washington's Spies, and movies like Happy-Go-Lucky and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1.
Roukin took to Twitter to confirm that he would be playing the role of Ghost in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, saying that his work on the project started about a year ago. Roukin expressed gratitude to both Infinity Ward and Activision for the opportunity, describing Modern Warfare 2 as "special." Luckily, fans should have an opportunity in the near future to decide for themselves if the game is something to be excited about.
The video that revealed the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 release date also had a potential tease for when the reveal date may be. While unconfirmed, it's believed that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 reveal date will be June 8. It's presumed that this initial reveal will primarily focus on the campaign and characters, so fans may be able to see Roukin's take on Ghost in action sooner rather than later.
A Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer beta is also planned, but it's unclear when exactly it will occur. Call of Duty fans can expect more information on Modern Warfare 2 and its various game modes in the months ahead.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will launch on October 28.