Crank 3 On The Way, Idris Elba Wanted For Role

FilmStage has word via Empire/JoBlo that the writing/directing duo Mark Neveldine and Bryan Taylor confirm Crank 3 is happening. Along with bringing back Chev Chelios played by Jason Statham they want to bring Idris Elba into the mix. Elba recently worked with the directors on Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengence. The only issue would be that Idris is very busy these days with Pacific Rim, Kill Bill Laden (maybe), Thor 2, The Real RockNRolla and not to mention a new series/feature film of Luther also in the works.

“I would LOVE that! Actually, we joking-but-not-quite-jokingly joked about that with Idris [Elba] while we were over in Romania and Turkey [shooting Spirit of Vengeance]. Just trying to figure out a way of getting him into Crank 3. There are so many different ways that Crank 3 could go. We’ve been talking about the top 50 ideas we what to do for Crank 3, so we’re just trying to pair them down. By the way, Crank 3 is going to happen, the studios are really excited about it – it’s just all about timing.”

“…The important thing is what powers Chev [Chelios]. It was adrenaline that kept him alive in the first one, it was electricity in the second one, you know, it’s all about what will keep him alive in the third one. It’s just fun slinging those ideas around.”

Johnny Whitworth Confirms He's Playing Blackout In Ghost Rider 2

Johnny Whitworth (Pathology) while speaking with AMC revealed who he is playing in Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance. He'll be Blackout and it's the first time there has been confirmation about an actual comic villain being in the film. Johnny will be transformed into Blackout half way through the film a very formidable villain of Ghost Rider. In the comics he has many vampire characteristics so I wouldn't be shocked if they go that route in the film.

The film is more of a reboot than sequel as the directors/writers Mark Neveldine and Bryan Taylor are re-imaging the character and his origin. Similar to how The Incredible Hulk was both a sequel and reboot. Yet keeping Nicolas Cage as the lead actor in place. I'm not sure if they'll revealed if this is PG-13 or aimed for an R-rating but from sounds of things it could go either way.

Ghost Rider 2 Has New Origin Scene

It looks like Sony is really going for a reboot with Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Nicolas Cage (via ComingSoon) has confirmed the sequel will feature a new origin scene reinvisioned by directors Mark Neveldine and Bryan Taylor. I assume it could be similar to what we saw in The Incredible Hulk. Hopefully this means they've severed all ties to the original film.

Ciarán Hinds & Violante Placido Join Ghost Rider 2?

HeatVision reports that Ciarán Hinds (Munich, John Carter of Mars, Rome) and Italian actress Violante Placido (The American) are in talks for Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance. Hinds would play the film's villain "the devil" and Placido the female lead. I assume they're referring to the Rider villain Lucifer. The film will be directed by the dynamic duo of Neveldine/Taylor (Gamer, Crank) with Nicolas Cage returning. The site also reveals the film's plot.

"Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider (Cage), hiding out in remote Eastern Europe and struggling to repress his curse. Blaze is recruited by a sect to take on the devil (Hinds), who wants to take over his mortal son’s body on the boy’s birthday."

Ghost Rider 2 Coming February 2012

Sony has announced the release date for Ghost Rider 2 which will be February 17th 2012. Neveldine/Taylor are directing it should be the only reason why audiences will care. The pair are responsible for some of the most interesting contemporary action films such as the Crank series and the 80's homage Gamer. They were previously hired by Warner Bros. to write and direct Jonah Hex before exiting. It's assumed the studio wanted a watered down PG-13 film instead and that's what they got giving them the critical/boxoffice bomb. I'm hoping Sony will give the action junkie directors a little more wiggle room with the film and it's rating. Certain Marvel characters like Punisher, Deadpool and Ghost Rider seem better suited for rated R films.