Nicolas Cage and Crank Duo on Ghost Rider Sequel

News, Projects

THR’s Heat Vision has exclusive news that Crank directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor will be the ones to direct the sequel to Columbia Pictures’ 2007 supernatural action movie Ghost Rider, based on the Marvel Comics character.

You might remember Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who, in order to save the life of a loved one, makes a deal with the devil. The result is that he becomes a flaming-skulled man driving a motorcycle from hell. Cage is currently in negotiations to reprise the character and plot details are still under wraps.

The Buzz: Mark Steven Johnson, who directed the first Ghost Rider, seems to have been the wrong man for the job. The man also managed to screw-up the Daredevil movie, though 20th Century Fox may be more to blame, having him trim the movie down to a more manageable 103 minutes. (The director’s cut runs 133 minutes.)

Poor reviews and $230 million later, there was question on whether or not a sequel to Ghost Rider would get the green light. Had Columbia not put another into production soon, the franchise would have reverted back to Marvel (Walt Disney acquired Marvel Comics last year.)

Neveldine and Taylor does make the project that much more interesting. The duo was going to direct Jonah Hex but bolted over creative differences. David Goyer wrote the story for the Ghost Rider sequel but Neveldine/Taylor may do a rewrite before going into production.

The first Ghost Rider had some fun moments and a better soundtrack, but I can’t even remember what most of it was about. And I saw the damn thing in theaters back in 2007. The biggest question that remains is what hairstyle will Nicolas Cage sport for the sequel.

Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!