The original Ghost Rider might have suffered at the hands of the critics, but $230 million in worldwide box office shouts louder than any review, so Columbia has naturally been considering a follow-up. So far, the sequel has spluttered along like a mis-firing Vespa, but it might just be about to get a kick start up the arse as Crank** writer/directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are in early negotiations to handle the new film, now labouring under the title Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
And, despite early talk that the project might motor ahead without him, Nicolas Cage is also starting up talks about a deal to return to the starring role of Johnny Blaze.
The 2007 film, brought to life by Mark Steven Johnson, followed the character’s origin story, with Blaze offered a soul trading deal by Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda, merrily cashing on the Easy Rider connection) to save his father’s life. In return, Johnny agrees to become a servant of the devil, consigned to tracking down demons as the flaming-skulled fiend with the burning bike known as Ghost Rider.
David Goyer wrote the script this time around, though if Team Crank does officially come aboard, chances are they’ll give it an adrenalized polish and possibly add more boobs.
Should all the deals fall into place, Sony/Columbia will likely issue a big press release about how they’re "thrilled to bring a beloved hero back to his dedicated fans”, conveniently leaving out the fact that the companies had to make use of him or else the rights would revert back to Marvel.
Hhhm... Cage unleashing his wild man persona along with the trademark madness of Neveldine & Taylor? Could work... What say you?