Early character designs for the GHOST RIDER film bear a striking resemblance to actor Nicolas Cage
© 2001 Bernie Wrightson

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Ghost Rider

Genre:
Comic Book Adaptation/Horror/Action.

Studio:
Columbia Pictures.


Production Company:
Marvel Studios/Crystal Sky Entertainment.

Project Phase:
Post-Production.

Who's In It:
Nicolas Cage (Johnny Blaze/"Ghost Rider"; .

Who's Making It:
Mark Steven Johnson (Director); Shane Salerno (Screenwriter); Avi Arad, Steven Paul, Gary Foster, Michael De Luca (Producers); based on the comic book published by Marvel Comics.

Premise:
A motorcycle stuntman makes a deal with the devil in order to save his mentor from cancer. His end of the bargain is a little more than he expected, however, and he is possessed by a demon. Every night, he transforms into the Ghost Rider, a humanoid form with a flaming skull for a head, and goes out to wreak vengeance on the guilty.

Release Date:
February 16, 2007

Comments: Although the premise above is the from the original Ghost Rider character, Johnny Blaze, it remains to be seen whether that incarnation will be the focus of this film, or the Ghost Rider revival, Dan Ketch, or a combination of the two. Either way, expect to see lots of motorcycle stunts and flame effects.

Scoop Feedback:

March 13, 2003... The horror-themed Creature Corner website discovered an unpleasant surprise on the Harlow FX company website: an image of what appears to be trial prosthetic makeup for Ghost Rider. For fans of the comic book version who were expecting flames for hair, the red-haired skull that appears on the FX site might send them screaming away from the monitor. The makeup job looks more suited for someone attending an Ozzy Osbourne concert rather than an expensive Hollywood movie.

Harlow FX has done loads of feature work including providing makeup effects for such films as Virus, Species 2, Chill Factor, A.I. and Adaptation. The discovery by Creature Corner of the Ghost Rider trial makeup seems to be the real deal; the Harlow FX website even goes so far as to claim it's none other than Nicolas Cage himself underneath the red hair. Still...red hair? On Ghost Rider? [First appeared on Creature Corner.]

The project was picked up by Columbia Pictures after languishing in development hell at Dimension Films. Crystal Sky Entertainment still remains involved with the film's production and Nicolas Cage is also still attached to play the spirit of vengeance and his human alter-ego, Johnny Blaze. Marvel Entertainment's Avi Arad and Crystal Sky's Steven Paul will serve as the film's producers. [Source: Variety.]

August 5, 2003... When star Nicolas Cage announced his plans to work on THE WEATHER MAN for his next project, fans were left wondering if Cage's intentions to star in GHOST RIDER were being left in the dust -- again. According to IGN FilmForce and GHOST RIDER producer Gary Foster, the plan is still to begin rolling cameras on his project early next year. "THE WEATHER MAN is a short shoot," Foster told the website.

DAREDEVIL helmer Mark Steven Johnson is still onboard to direect GHOST RIDER. [FilmForce likes to pop wheelies.]

February 7, 2005... Eva Mendes will play the true love of the former motorcycle stuntman (Cage).

December 15, 2005... Sony has moved the release date of GHOST RIDER, starring Nicolas Cage, to February 16, 2007. Originally, it was supposed to be released on July 14, 2006. [Source: Variety.]