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.

Idris Elba & Johnny Whitworth In Talks For Ghost Rider 2

HeatVision reports that Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth (Pathology) are in talks to join Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance. The Neveldine/Taylor (Crank, Gamer) directed and David S. Goyer (Blade, Dark Knight) written sequel will be set in Europe where Blaze has to stop an evil plot by the devil. Idris isn't new to the world of comic book films starring in Thor, The Losers and possibly in talks for Luke Cage or Blade. The two actors would join the returning Nicolas Cage along with possible additions Ciarán Hinds (Munich, Rome) and Italian actress Violante Placido (The American).

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.

Neveldine/Taylor In Talks To Direct Ghost Rider 2

Sony is fast tracking Ghost Rider 2 to make sure the studio keeps the rights. HeatVision reports an offer has gone out to Neveldine/Taylor (Crank) to direct the sequel. David Goyer (Batman Begins, Blade) is responsible for the film's story so it should solid this time around. Nicolas Cage is set to return but he can't be blamed for how bad the original film turned out. Cage gave of some of his best performances recently in Kick-Ass and Bad Lieutenant.


I'm a massive fan of Neveldine/Taylor, their last two films Gamer and Crank 2 have proved the pair can do amazing stuff technically (shooting, editing, practical/CGI special effects). I expect we'll see the RED camera system used again which looks stunning in their hands. Don't get your hopes up just yet though. The directing duo had written Jonah Hex with the promise of helming it but they eventually left. Yet it would very interesting to see them finally direct a comic book film. Considering their history with only making R-rated films I'm expect this film will be darker than the first one.