Collider got on the phone to binary directing entity Neveldine / Taylor, and got some clarification on the cryptic tweet that seemed to suggest two roles for Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Many wondered if the statement "The dual role of Blaze / Zarathos will be a Nic Cage classic" was a suggestion that the actor would be playing both the hero and the villain of the piece (Zarathos is the demon that binds itself to and manifests itself through Johnny Blaze, with Blaze not always able to keep it controlled). 

That's not quite the case, but the true intention does indicate that Spirit of Vengeance, under the aegis of the Crank team, is riding in the right direction. "Zarathos is the spirit that inhabits John Blaze when he becomes Ghost Rider," Brian Taylor confirms. "But unlike the first movie, where the rider was stiffly acted out by various stunt guys, Nic will be playing all the Ghost Rider stuff himself, and we're creating a whole physical language for the demon that is different from the human Blaze."

So the sequel, it seems, will inject some much-needed personality into the Flaming Skull, and we're liking the idea of two Cages at once: one comparatively restrained, and the other letting rip. Think of the split between his personalities in Face/Off and you might get some vague idea where this could be headed.

That's the rider sorted. Now what about a stronger villain than last time? Is Ciaran Hinds' Devil the primary foe, or are we waiting for some more casting news? Idris Elba and Violante Placido make up the rest of the cast that we know about so far, and rehearsals are underway for a three-month shoot that starts very shortly.