Sony’s Columbia Pictures sets a release date for Nicolas Cage’s‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ exactly five years after its predecessor debuted in theaters.
Less than a month ago it was reported that Ghost Rider 2, officially titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, would begin production on location in Romania this Fall. Nicolas Cage would be back as Johnny Blaze, reprising the role of the title character in what he describes as a new and entirely different take on the character and franchise compared to the first movie.
Ghost Rider 2 Trailer
Ghost Rider 2 Theatrical Trailer
Let's watch this brand new theatrical movie trailer of Ghost Rider 2 Spirit of Vengeance:
Spirit of Vengeance is being touted as much more international story and will be shot in 3D, helping it differentiate from the post-conversion 3D comic book films in development. Crank directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor will be helming Ghost Rider 2, based off a script by David Goyer. The film is rumored to follow Blaze as he takes on a demon biker gang seeking to resurrect the demon lord Zarathos.
While the first film earned generally negative reviews, it did bank nearly $230 million worldwide and plenty more afterwards on home video, TV, merchandise, etc. Considering the sheer amount of major comic book films slated for release over the next two years, when would Ghost Rider 2 debut and could it compete against the likes of DC Entertainment’s Green Lantern, Batman 3 and Superman, Fox’ X-Men: First Class and Fantastic Four, Marvel’s Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, just to name a few?
Likely not, so it’s unsurprising to see the official release date for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance being set for February 17, 2012. The first Ghost Rider opened in theaters on February 16, 2007, making the release of its sequel on its 5-year opening weekend anniversary.
Although I was very disappointed and unimpressed with the first effort to adapt Ghost Rider, I’m open to seeing what this group does with the sequel. A new take on the franchise is exactly that the doctor ordered.
Production:
On February 9, 2007, Marvel producer Avi Arad announced the development of Ghost Rider 2 at a press event. Peter Fonda has also expressed a desire to return as Mephistopheles. In early December, 2007, Nicolas Cage also has expressed interest to return in the lead role as Ghost Rider. Shortly after, in another interview he went on further to mention that he would enjoy seeing a darker story, adding, "He's not eating jelly beans anymore; he's getting drunk". He suggested that the film could do with newly created villains. It is also rumored that the sequel would feature Danny Ketch, another Marvel character who took up the Ghost Rider mantle in the comics.
In a September 2008 interview, Nicolas Cage informed IGN that Columbia have taken meetings to start a sequel. Cage noted conversations about the story, where Ghost Rider may end up in Europe on behalf of the church, having story elements "very much in the zeitgeist, like Da Vinci Code. In February 2009, an online source stated Columbia Pictures had greenlit a sequel to Ghost Rider. Nicolas Cage will reprise the lead role, whilst the studio are in search of writers. On September 23, 2009, it was reported that David S. Goyer signed on to write the script for the sequel. Goyer spoke to MTV about the sequel, stating that the story will pick up eight years after the events of the first film and that he hopes to start filming by 2010. The sequel is titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and will be produced by Mike De Luca and will screen with a PG-13 rating. On July 14, 2010 it was confirmed that Nicolas Cage would return, and Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor were announced to direct the film, with editor Brian Berdan and cinematographer Brandon Trost reuniting with the directors from the Crank films.
Filming:
In July 2010 Cage revealed shooting was to start in November. In an interview with Superhero Hype!, Eva Mendes revealed that she would not be back as Roxanne for the sequel. The film will be shot in Romania and Turkey. The film started principal photography in Bucharest, Romania in November 2010, using mostly local talent. Principal photography was completed on January 24, 2011. On March 16, 2011, it was confirmed that Johnny Whitworth would be playing the antagonist, which was also confirmed to be Blackout. The film was converted in post-production to 3D. Three scenes were shot on set Castel Film. Among the places in the country chosen were Transfăgărăşan, Targu-Jiu, Hunedoara Castle and Bucharest. Filming in Turkey took place in Cappadocia, a historical region in central Turkey with exotic chimney topped rocky setting.
Reception:
Reviewers who viewed an early preview screening at the December 2011 Butt-Numb-A-Thon in Austin expressed negative reaction to the film, with two attendants saying it was worse than the first Ghost Rider film, which one of them stated was made to look like The Dark Knight in comparison with the new film.
Cast:
Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost RiderJohnny Whitworth as Roarke Carrigan/Blackout, the antagonist who, at the beginning, is human. He is turned into Blackout by the Devil to complete his job (which is not specified). This transformation gives him the fortitude and supernatural abilities to compete with Ghost Rider.Fergus Riordan as Danny, a young child caught up in a demonic conspiracy who ends up in the care of Johnny Blaze during his travels.
Ciarán Hinds as The Devil, a being trying to take over the body of his son on the boy's birthday.
Violante Placido as NadyaIdris Elba as MoreauChristopher Lambert as Methodius, a monk. He was required to undergo three months of sword training and shaved his head for the role.
