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1990 Ghost Rider - Date: Feb. 16, 2007
Director: Mark Steven Johnson
Producer: Avi Arad, Michael De Luca, Gary Foster, Steven Paul
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer, Mark Steven Johnson, Shane Salerno
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Wes Bentley
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Comic

Synopsis
When the United States Army and the Drug Enforcement Agency join forces to break up a South American drug and terrorism operation, a crack army helicopter pilot goes into training to learn how to fly the special Apache aircraft needed for the mission. At the same time he tries to resurrect an old romance with a tough female pilot who is also preparing to go into combat.



Cage Changed Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider director Mark Steven Johnson told SCI FI Wire that star Nicolas Cage changed how his character, stunt motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze, transforms into the title demonic hunter. In Johnson's script, Blaze screams in pain as he turns into the flaming demon. But "Nic convinced me that, although Johnny may be in pain, the Ghost Rider is actually happy about the transformation, and it probably feels really good for him to be unleashed after all this time," Johnson said. "And so the screaming with horrible pain that I imagined turned into this maniacal laughter. That made it so much better."

Johnson discussed the making of Ghost Rider over the weekend at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention, which he visited during a break from post-production on the movie. "We know that the transformation scene is the most important scene in the whole movie, so it was important that we get it right," Johnson said.

During the transformation scene, Cage's skin sears as he screams and turns into the Marvel Comics character with the distinctive flaming skull. Blaze's motorcycle turns into the fiery Hell Cycle. Johnson also showed a film clip in which the Ghost Rider transforms back into Johnny Blaze at the graveside of his father.

Ghost Rider, also starring Eva Mendes, Sam Elliott, Wes Bentley and Peter Fonda, is scheduled to open nationwide on Feb. 14. —Mike Szymanski


MENDES WANTS SUPER POWERS
Actress EVA MENDES' role in comic book movie GHOST RIDER has left her yearning for a real life super power. Mendes plays NICOLAS CAGE'S Love interest ROXANNE SIMPSON in the film, based on the Marvel character JOHNNY BLAZE - and she's vexed it's the leading man who gets all the powers. The HITCH star says, "I just need something, some kind of power. Give me some kind of cool visual power. I would love that."


Columbia Pictures has posted a quick look at the Ghost Rider online.
Here's some screen caps.

Check out these screen caps from the brief, 10-second look at Ghost Rider now online at the official movie Web site. It shows Nic Cage as stuntbike rider Johnny Blaze with a voice over saying "I'm the only one who can can walk in both worlds ...I'm Ghost Rider." Then it shows the characteristic hellish bike, spikes growing Blaze's leather jacket, then the familiar flaming skulled rider in profile and then staring directly into the camera. The next shot shows Ghost Rider winding up for a punch and delivering it. The Mark Steven Johnson-directed and written film stars Nic Cage and debuts in theaters Feb. 16, 2007.   


Ghost Rider Artwork, Trailer News
This is some concept art made for the film, obtained by Superhero Hype. Meanwhile, Sam Elliott told the LA Daily News he'd be up for Ghost Rider 2 if the first movie does well enough to merit a sequel.

"I hope it does well. I happened to like Nicolas [Cage] a lot. I think he's great at what he does, and once again, he's incredible in this thing." Elliott plays "a guy named Caretaker who takes care of the cemetery. Ghost Rider comes there seeking solace and safety, and I provide him with information."

Regarding a possible sequel: "I'll certainly be there if they call me." The film, which stars Cage, Elliott, Wes Bentley, Eva Mendes, Matt Long, Peter Fonda, Donal Logue, Mathew Wilkinson, Daniel Frederiksen hits theaters Feb. 16, 2007.

  


Nicolas Cage's Superhero Saga 'Ghost Rider' on Hold
By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith
Mar 17, 2006
Looks like Nicolas Cage's Marvel Comic superhero saga, "Ghost Rider" is dematerializing before our very eyes. "It was supposed to come out this summer, but it's not coming out," says Sam Elliott, who costars in the film shot last year with Cage, Wes Bentley and Eva Mendes. "Sony took such a beating around the box office, they decided to hold it, and it's coming out on President's Day of '07," he says. February is not usually the time of year studios choose to release such action-genre films, so that doesn't bode well for "Ghost Rider" turning into a franchise for Cage. However, says Elliott, "I hope it does well. I happened to like Nicolas a lot. I think he's great at what he does, and once again, he's incredible in this thing." In the film, Elliott plays "a guy named Caretaker who takes care of the cemetery. Ghost Rider comes there seeking solace and safety, and I provide him with information." Should the box office warrant a "Ghost Rider" sequel, he says, "I'll certainly be there if they call me."

Meanwhile, Elliott plays a more down-to-earth hero in the TNT original movie, "Avenger" debuting April 6. "It was all shot in an amazing part of the world in and around Capetown, South Africa, and they got it all on film, that's the nice part," says Elliott. He plays a small-town lawyer/former Vietnam Special Forces operative who hires himself out to those seeking to avenge the violent murders of loved ones in the edge-of-your-seat film based on Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novel. Now the actor, who's married to Katharine Ross, says he'll be staying put for awhile. "My wife's about to get a knee replacement, so I'm going to be holding hands with her for a few months."
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Director Talks Ghost Rider Transformation
How do you get Nicolas Cage to look like a demonically possessed hell rider? Ghost Rider director Mark Steven Johnson explained how star Nicolas Cage transforms into the spectral biker.

"We film Nic or his double, dressed as the Ghost Rider, with the spikes, chains, leather and everything on him. But he wears an interactive light collar around his neck, sometimes a whole green helmet, and that's what we're going to be removing," Johnson told Comics Continuum. "So it is the person, it is the actor, but the head itself is CG. And that was our biggest challenge, making sure it looks absolutely fantastic. "And being able to use fire as a way to give expression, which you can't with a skull. You take the shadows of the fire and the way the fire moves to give expressions and moods, which is really great because you can't get that in the comic. You can see it change before your eyes. "When Ghost Rider's angry, he'll go white-hot with flame. When he gets sad, it will literally go blue. There's a way you can use the fire as an extension of his personality," Johnson said.
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First Look at Ghost Rider's Blackheart
Director Mark Steven Johnson discussed his take on the Blackheart character, saying the he (Johnson) did a lot of research into demonology to help him craft the role. He read about fallen angels, and how some did not follow Lucifer into Hell, but rather landed on earth in various forms. Johnson says Blackheart is tired of waiting for the end days, so he decides to “give my dad the finger and do it myself.” Blackheart begins collecting demons, and Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider) has to find them and bring them back. I like the Ghost Rider comic title. I think the character of Johnny Blaze is a lot of fun and has a slightly different feel than most of the Marvel heroes. Do I think Nicolas Cage can pull it off? Er…no. Not really. I’m sorry Nic, but I just don’t think you’ve got the panache. However, I will be very happy if you prove me wrong. As for the image of Blackheart, I suppose it looks cool enough, although a bit too generic-thuggish for now. We'll have to wait on later images to get a better idea of the character's style. Source


How Nic Cage Becomes Ghost Rider
Director Mark Steven Johnson explains the look and powers of the Ghost Rider. Warning: Spoilers

Ghost Rider director Mark Steven Johnson explained for Now Playing magazine how actor Nic Cage's supernatural look comes together in the film. "This time I actually have a hero who's supposed to be in leather, so I've got that going for me," laughs Johnson, referring to the criticism he got after characters in his Daredevil got all leathered up. "[Blaze] changes throughout the movie. I know some fans have seen shots and they're like, 'Why are the spikes all so small?' It's because he changes his look throughout. Obviously he doesn't know what's going to happen the first time [he becomes Ghost Rider]. He has no gloves on, so he's got skeleton hands. He's got black jeans, a black leather coat and motorcycle boots. The second time, when he breaks out of the jail – not to give too much away – his coat gets ripped and he basically upgrades." As for the hellfire: "The idea is that hellfire affects metal in a certain way, so when [it] hits a motorcycle, it turns into a hell-cycle. When it hits a shotgun, it turns into a hellfire shotgun. And when it hits the studs in your coat, they pop into these spikes," explains the filmmaker. "It's really cool and it worked really well with the outfit. So he does have the three-inch spikes and the big chain and all that s***," he told the magazine.

The Penance Stare is going to take more work, he admits: "We're still working on [that]," Johnson says. "I don't want to do the little vignettes [type of thing] because we've seen that before – quick little cut pieces of people's sins. [The stare] is when Ghost Rider says 'Look into my eyes' [and he] can look at all the sins they've done to other people and make them relive those sins ten-fold. Ghost Rider doesn't kill anybody, but it's supposed to be a fate worse than death because you're trapped looking at all the s*** you've done to everyone else. So how to do that without it becoming a mini-movie is the challenge." Cage's co-star Eva Mendes talks about her character witnessing the Ghost Rider transformation: "I do have one scene where I see him changing into Ghost Rider, and that freaks my character out, as it would freak anybody out – seeing somebody change into a flaming skull," says the actress. But for all of his fire, Ghost Rider is no Human Torch ala Fantastic Four: "He throws hellfire in one scene, which is pretty cool. If there's any fire around him he can manipulate it," explains Johnson. "What I didn't want to do is get into the Human Torch – that's what's really hard about the Marvel characters. There's so many of them. Human Torch or Pyro – you've got to be careful about what makes you different from them."

Ghost Rider premieres next summer.
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Road to damnation - Ghost Rider
ALL hell breaks loose when the Spirit of Vengeance comes-a-calling. The House of Ideas hopes to take the Ghost Rider to the next level by roping in the man that probably knows Hell better than anybody else in the comic scene - Garth Ennis (Preacher, Hellblazer, Punisher, Hitman). After a promisingbut false start a while back (remember that Hammer Lane storyline by Devin Grayson and Trent Kanuga?), it's time to get serious with this title. Ennis, a writer who has built his reputation by immortalising anti-heroes, definitely has what it takes to re-establish the Ghost Rider as a top-notch character, more so, when a silver screen debut is already in the works (Mark Steven Johnson directs Ghost Rider, with Nicolas Cage playing the title character and Johnny Blaze. It is scheduled out in the United States next July).

Through his past works like Preacher and Hitman, Ennis has proven without a shadow of doubt that building gritty characters is his finest selling point, albeit the questionable moral values. Remember the vampire Cassidy from Preacher? The Ghost Rider For the Ghost Rider revamp, a master like Ennis is just what the doctor ordered to re-ignite the dastardly flames.

While past Ghost Rider tales centred around the conflicts between the character and his mortal host (plus an on-off intervention from Zarathos), the Ennis-version focuses on ol' flaming skull and the price he has to pay for his deal with the Devil. Minimal historical baggage and lots of stunning visuals, this new version definitely has the right ingredients for a flaming revival. Having been condemned to ride the highways of Hell for eternity, original Ghost Rider-host Johnny Blaze is finally granted a reprieve by an unlikely ally. The deal involves him tracking down a rogue Demon named Kazaan, unleashed on Earth. Sounds fairly straightforward until the plot thickens with the presence of two other bounty hunters also on Kazaan's trail. While Blaze is thrilled with the prospect of bringing back his bony butt out of hell, Kazaan and the bounty hunters aren't chopped liver as they have their own agendas. The plot so far sounds like your usual redemptionspin but what makes this a classic-in-the-making is Clayton Crain's stunning strokes.

Page after page, Hell never looked this good. Crain's work has certainly evolved in a positive sense since his recent Carnage vs Venom contribution. The flames have never burned more menacingly. Here's where Crain's stylus-wizardry makes this THE most enticing Ghost Rider-product since Salvador Larocca and computer-assisted colouring made the character worth reading back in the early 1990s. Nicolas Cage stars as Johnny Blaze in the Ghost Rider movie, which is due for release in US theatres next July. For newcomers who think that the Ghost Rider is actually a reincarnation of Nicolas Cage (post-divorce), the low down on this character basically tracks a guy who's made a pact with the Devil and (as expected) is paying for it. There's been two "mortal hosts" forming the nexus for the Spirit of Vengeance to roam Earth, namely Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch. Blaze played the role of the tormented host since the 1970s before being offered a separation reprieve.

The early 1990s saw Ketch receiving the curse and went for the ride of his life as the Ghost Rider's popularity soared to an all time high, under the tutelage of Howard Mackie, Javier Saltares and Mark Texeira. I'm not surprised by Ennis's decision to cast Blaze instead of Ketch, as the former certainly has more star appeal. If it's Crain's art that has you excited, be sure to check out the special Director's Cut that promises extras such as Ennis's original series proposal, published and unpublished cover sketches by Clayton Crain, and a soup-to-nuts behind-the-scenes featurette detailing the progression from script to thumbnails to final art. The verdict: this one's got all the "soul" you need.
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Nicolas Ghost Rider Cage
With very little media updates for the upcoming comic book adaptation Ghost Rider, Nicolas Cage steps up to the task and discusses what it takes to step into the role of Johnny Blaze.

The good people over at IESB have recently got Nicolas Cage to answer a few simple questions about his role in Ghost Rider and what type of transformation he had to take in order to adapt into the character Johnny Blaze. Luckily for Cage, there was not too much adapting required.

Q: Did you find it challenging or intimidating to step into a character that people already know and has a set story and were you a fan of that character or have you read the comic book to research it?

NC: Well, it was simple, it may sound strange but I am Ghost Rider. (laughing) So it wasn’t that challenging to do that, I had all the honest, you know, ways of expressing that character and it will be interesting to see how the audience responds to that character.

Q: Why are you Ghost Rider?

NC: Well he’s a man who’s just trying to take a negative and turn it into a positive like we all do, we have been talking about that here today together with the Weatherman, trying to take movies and do something positive with any negative feelings that I have. Johnny Blaze is a superhero who had a very horrible thing happen to him and he’s taking that negative and he’s trying to make something positive out of it no matter what and um, that’s, in that way I guess you can say I am like Ghost Rider. Well, we do know that Nicolas Cage's Lord of War isn't doing too hot at the box office, so maybe that is the negative he is talking about. However, I am still trying to catch Lord before the impressive slew we have coming our way next weekend. For the entire interview on Ghost Rider, head over to IESB.

Ghost Rider has recently had its release date pushed forward to July 14th, 2006.
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Marvel Comics breathes new life into 'Ghost Rider'
9-3-05
With "Ghost Rider" blazing onto screens in 2006 (played by Nicolas Cage), it was inevitable that Marvel Comics would revive this long-defunct character. The only question remaining is: Which one? Originally, Ghost Rider was a Western character, a lawman named Rex Fury who pretended to be a ghost with the help of glow-in-the-dark phosphorescence. His costume glowed, his horse glowed and he often went about exposing crooks who were also pretending to be supernatural (although he did meet a vampire or two). He first appeared as a character named The Calico Kid in the back pages of "Tim Holt" No. 5 (March 1949) by Magazine Enterprises, which starred the movie star of the same name. In issue No. 11, however, editor Vin Sullivan (Superman's first editor), writer Ray Krank and artist Dick Ayers abruptly revamped the character as the pseudo-spook, who was a lot more popular than The Calico Kid, and received his own title. But the Comics Code of 1954 put a damper on spooky characters, and "Ghost Rider" was canceled with its 14th issue. GR began appearing less and less, finally disappearing altogether — along with Magazine Enterprises — in 1955.

Marvel Comics lifted the character almost wholesale for a short-lived series in 1967. This very familiar Ghost Rider was still drawn by Ayers, but was now secretly schoolteacher Carter Slade. Unfortunately, the Rider's second go-round only lasted seven issues. A brief revival in 1970's "Western Gunfighters" followed (albeit with federal Marshal Lincoln Slade, Carter's brother, as the new civilian identity), before this character slipped into a series of reprints (for various reasons renamed "Night Rider" and then "Phantom Rider"). A glow-in-the-dark Phantom Rider is still active in the modern West in Marvel Comics (who is a real ghost), but his appearances are infrequent. That brings us to the best-known version of the character. In 1972's "Marvel Spotlight" No. 5, Marvel re-imagined the character as Johnny Blaze, a modern-day motorcycle stunt rider for a circus. Blaze made a deal with the devil to save the life of his employer (and his girlfriend's father) — and you know how those deals usually go. Cursed with the demon Zarathos, Blaze would periodically turn into a phantom biker who appeared to be, for all intents and purposes, a blazing skeleton in bike leathers. The story wasn't much, but the visual was striking, and GR had a hot run for a few years. He eventually faded, but the flaming-biker look was just too cool to abandon. Marvel re-launched the character in his own title in 1990, although this time the secret identity was high-school student Danny Ketch.

Ketch was later revealed to be Blaze's long-lost brother, but even the re-introduction of the original stunt rider didn't save the series. Once again, that hot visual gave the character brief sales success, followed by oblivion. That brings us to September's "Ghost Rider" No. 1 (of 6, $2.99). Written by superstar Garth Ennis and drawn by Clayton Crain, it would be fair to wonder whether this blazing biker will star Rex Fury, Carter Slade, Lincoln Slade, Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch. That actually isn't that much of a mystery. Although Marvel hasn't mentioned a civilian ID for the new book, Sony's movie and a new GR video game by Climax Entertainment (both due next year) star Johnny Blaze. Plus, Marvel is releasing Blaze's first 29 adventures in "Essential Ghost Rider" Vol. 1 ($16.99) this month. As the most popular of the various Ghost Riders, and as Ketch and both Slades are dead, Blaze is where to place your bet.
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Ghost Rider has received
a lot of easy hype just by having a cool cast [Nicolas Cage] and the fact that it is another comic book adaptation. An early trailer was posted online but later pulled as it was meant only for comic con. We have still a lot to see from this film, especially that of an official shot of the Ghost Rider skull on fire; something Mark Steven Johnson [director] is still working to figure out. If they can make Nicolas Cage look half as cool as the teaser poster, then we may have another one of those few comic book adaptations that raise the bar on film just a little bit higher.
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Giving Up the Ghost
8-9-05
Writer-director Mark Steven Johnson and actress Eva Mendes offer a sneak preview of Ghost Rider, next summer's good vs. evil battle pitting Nicolas Cage against Peter Fonda. By Christina Radish

To set apart the action thriller Ghost Rider from all the other comic book movies, writer-director Mark Steven Johnson has opted to take it out of New York and set it in Texas to give it more of a western feel. Albeit by way of Australia, where the film recently wrapped. "It's an unnamed town, and it feels very much like Once Upon a Time in the West meets a Hammer film," he declares during a recent interview with FilmStew at Comic-Con 2005, where he was promoting next summer's Sony epic. "It doesn't look like anything else. A lot of the movie really looks like a painting, but it's got a huge western vibe to it."

Starring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sells his soul to the devil, Johnson was eager to bring his favorite aspects of both the original and the Danny Ketch versions of the comic, together for his vision. "The cool thing is that you get the best of both worlds," says Johnson. "I thought the Danny Ketch version had better villains than we did. Some of the stories were really excellent too, especially the ones with the Marvel Scarecrow." "What's nice is that we got to cherry pick the best from both," he adds. "It gives you less pressure because it's not out now. I know they're going to bring it back, but there's not a Frank Miller around that you have to be beholden to, which is nice. It freed me up a bit."
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Writer/Director Mark Steven Johnson and Eva Mendes Discuss "Ghost Rider"
From Rebecca Murray,
7-28-05
Johnson and Mendes on "Ghost Rider," Nicolas Cage, and the Tone of the Film "Ghost Rider" at the 2005 Comic Con: Writer/director Mark Steven Johnson and actress Eva Mendes were greeted by enthusiastic applause as they took the stage to answer fans questions at the annual San Diego event.

In addition, Johnson and Mendes sat down with a small group of journalists (myself included) to provide the following in-depth look at the upcoming "Ghost Rider" movie: Eva Mendes on her character ‘Roxanne:’

“I play Johnny Blaze’s love of his life and a reporter. And when you see me in the movie, when I come into the movie, it’s been years since I’ve seen him. I haven’t gotten over him. How can you get over, you know, Johnny Blaze, or Nic Cage I should say?” Director Mark Steven Johnson adds, “We set it up [with] the deal the devil’s made when Johnny’s a young boy and the two of them split up because he has to leave her behind, because he can’t risk getting her in danger.

They meet up again, years later in life.” Mendes shares her opinion on the original 70s Roxanne character: “I actually felt she was this very hot voluptuous blonde that was a little ‘victimey’ for my tastes. You know what I mean? She cried a lot. What I want to thank Mark for is taking a chance and not sticking to [that], just thinking outside the box. Because obviously, I’m not blonde, and I don't look like the original comic book Roxanne.” Mendes on how Roxanne changes from the comics to the screen: “Well, now she’s darker (laughing), a little more exotic. And just stronger, you know what I mean? Just really, really crazy in love with this man and willing to stand behind him and beside him through thick and thin, but still having a life of her own, being an independent woman – being a career woman. And just this inner strength, not being a victim.”

Mark Steven Johnson on Roxanne being the only thing that keeps Ghost Rider out of Hell: “No, no, that didn’t work for me, personally. I thought that was always bizarre, the fact that Johnny makes a deal with the devil and suddenly Roxie breaks out some spell. She’s like, ‘Yes, I’ve been studying up on the occult.’ This sweet little girl and she’s got the candles and the pentagram and the blood. And you’re like, ‘Jesus, where’d that come from?’ It seemed a little odd.” Johnson on his favorite “Ghost Rider” comics phase: Asked if the “Ghost Rider” of the 90s will be included in the film, Johnson said, “You bet. Yeah, the cool thing is that you get the best of both worlds, you know what I mean? Like I really loved the original, but I also loved some of the stuff from the Danny Ketch 90’s versions. Especially like - I liked Caretaker. And I think they had better villains than we did. Some of the stories are actually, I think, really excellent, too. Especially the ones with Scarecrow and stuff, the Marvel Scarecrow – they were great.

What’s nice is that you get to cherry-pick…the best from both. It kind of actually gives you less pressure that it’s not out now. I know they’re gonna bring it back. But there’s no, you know, like Frank Miller around, that you have to beholden to or anything like that, which is nice. It freed me up a little bit.” Johnson on bringing “Ghost Rider” to the big screen: “The biggest thing was cracking… I think the reason it took a while to get the movie made, well, there’s two reasons. One was just because of the effects. You literally couldn’t make the movie a couple of years ago. We’re doing new stuff now, fluid sim, everything for the fire that’s going to look amazing. So that’s a new thing. The second thing was always the actual story – the deal with the devil - that was, I think, problematic for people. They kept trying to change it. I think that’s why eventually the 70’s ‘Ghost Rider’ run went away. They tried to bring it back and simplify it, I think, too much. It went from that really convoluted ‘deal with the devil’ story in the first one to a magic motorcycle in a graveyard. You touch it and you turn into Ghost Rider. It went the other way.

So it was kind of a challenge [to] keep what we loved about the comic but also to find a way to hopefully strengthen it. The hard part of the comic was always that the devil gave Johnny all these amazing powers, he goes out and fights bad guys. It was like, ‘When did that happen?’ It never really quite added up. And they tried to explain it but it never really worked and it got more and more convoluted. We just made it real simple: there’s heaven, there’s hell, and there’s our world. Every once in a while something gets out of hell and is not supposed to be here and that’s when you call upon the Ghost Rider. He works for the devil as bounty hunter. So there’s always been a Ghost Rider is the idea. He used to be on horseback back in the day and now it’s a motorcycle rider. The concept was just like you’d find the best rider, and you make him go and track down these demons for you.”
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Ghost A Smooth Ride For Mendez
7-21-05
Eva Mendez, who stars opposite Nicolas Cage in the upcoming Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider, told SCI FI Wire that her character doesn't have any big action scenes, and she was OK with that. "I'm the chick in this movie, and I like that. I own that," Mendez said in an interview at Comic-Con International in San Diego. "I don't kick ass. But I'm the girl, I'm his woman, and there's something kind of romantic about that."

In the film, Mendez plays Roxanne Simpson, the childhood sweetheart of Cage's Johnny Blaze. When Johnny makes a clandestine deal with the devil as a young man, he feels he must leave her for her own good. The two meet up again when Roxanne, now a newspaper reporter, comes to interview him about an upcoming motorcycle stunt.

Although Roxanne appeared in the original 1970s run of the comic book, she was significantly different from the character in the film. "I thought she was a very hot, voluptuous blonde that was a little victimy for my taste," Mendez said of her character's comic-book counterpart. "She cried a lot. And certainly what I wanted to thank [director Mark Steven Johnson] for is taking a chance and thinking outside the box, because obviously I'm not blond, and I don't look like the original comic-book Roxanne."

Mendez added: "She's darker, a little more dark. And she's stronger. She's really crazy in love with this man and willing to stand behind him and beside him through thick and thin, but still having a life of her own, being an independent woman, being a career woman. She has this inner strength. [She's] not being a victim."

Mendez said that her experience on the film has opened her up to the possibility of doing more comic-book adaptations. "I'd just have to kick ass in the next one," she said. "And wear some kind of suit. Or have a cape. Oh, I'd love to have a cape." Ghost Rider is scheduled for release on Aug. 4, 2006.
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Comic-Con 2005: Ghost Rider Panel
7-18-05
Hellfire may be hot but Eva Mendes is hotter! July 18, 2005 - Sony presented exclusive footage from the big-screen version of Ghost Rider at this past weekend's Comic-Con. On hand for the movie panel was Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad, co-writer-director Mark Steven Johnson and leading lady Eva Mendes.

Unfortunately, the footage didn't really show Ghost Rider himself; there were a few quick flashes that Johnson explained were snippets from camera tests with a crew member standing in for star Nicolas Cage, who was a no-show. The extended footage explains that Evel Knievel-like biker Johnny Blaze (Cage, wearing a very silly wig) made a deal with the devil in order to save his father. Now he must serve as the devil's bounty hunter, Ghost Rider, bringing back to hell those who have escaped. Blaze's love interest is TV news reporter Roxanne (Mendes). Peter Fonda portrays the demon Mephistopheles and Wes Bentley portrays the film's main villain, Blackheart, son of Mephistopheles.

Johnson explained that the footage showed the demons in their pre-CGI enhanced form so they will look different in the final film. He also revealed that, in the story, Blackheart is tired of waiting to take over from his dad and so sets out on his own, which leads to Ghost Rider being sent to bring him back in line. Ghost Rider's weaponry includes the Hellchain, the Hellshotgun and the Penance Stare, which makes an enemy feel the crippling pain of all their sins. Johnson and Cage are both longtime fans of the comic book character; Cage even has a Ghost Rider tattoo. The filmmaker informed fans that he has borrowed elements from Johnny Blaze and the later incarnation of Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch, but has simplified the mythology. The demons will be fallen angels who, went cast out of heaven, did not go straight to hell but landed on Earth and became elemental spirits. Johnson was coy about whether or not fans will see Ghost Rider's Old West, horse-riding predecessor in the film.

The writer-director spoke about the Ghost Rider visual effects, revealing that when Ghost Rider is angry the flames around his skull will grow tall and white-hot, and when he is sad they will diminish and turn blue. Only his skull will be a CGI effect; the rest of the character will be Cage or his stunt double. Sony ImageWorks is handling the film's visual effects. Mendes sang Cage's praises, calling him the coolest cat on the planet and lauding his "fearless" acting prowess. "That man has flair," she exclaimed. Mendes was happy that her character Roxanne, who was Caucasian in the comics, was altered for the film. The actress found the Roxanne of the old comics "too victimy," and she and Johnson both agreed that their Roxanne had to be more than just a mere love interest in the film.

Johnson and Arad ended the panel by revealing the teaser poster for the film, which shows Ghost Rider on his fiery Hellcycle against a black background. Very cool. Ghost Rider just wrapped filming a few weeks ago and will be in post-production for about a year. The film opens in summer 2006.
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Ghost Rider tie-in announced
7-15-05
Troubled publisher Majesco Entertainment has announced plans to publish Ghost Rider on Xbox, PS2 and PSP next summer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The game will tie in with the forthcoming Nicolas Cage movie, which is based on the Marvel comic books and directed by Mark Steven Johnson, who also took the helm for the big screen adaptation of Daredevil.

Ghost Rider follows the adventures of motorcycle stunt artist Johnny Blaze, who agrees to allow an evil spirit to possess his body in return for the life of his father. Problem is he then finds himself transformed nightly into a vengeful demon complete with serious anger management issues and a badass motorcycle. The Ghost Rider has the ability to make you relive all the sins you've ever committed, times ten - and if you've been really bad you'll end up engulfed by the flames of your own naughtiness.

The game is being developed by UK studio Climax, whose previous games include Crash 'n' Burn and the Xbox version of Delta Force - Black Hawk Down. It's scripted by comic book writers Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti, with a storyline set immediately after the events in the movie. Key members of the Climax team recently visited Australia to watch the film being shot and, according to Marvel's Ames Kirshen, "Came away with some great assets, both 2D and 3D, which have been crucial for us to accurately recreate Mark Steven Johnson's theatrical vision into a 3D interactive videogame world."

As a result we can expect a compelling game which offers "a unique combination of high-impact combat and motorcycle action infused with supernatural elements" - you'll get to take on villains Blackheart and Mephistopheles, use weapons like the Hellfire Chain and Hellfire Shotgun and ride the Hell Cycle across water and over huge gaps. So far none of the film's cast - which includes Eva Mendes and Wes Bentley - have signed up to lend their voices or likenesses to the game.

Majesco must be hoping that Ghost Rider will reverse their fortunes after recent difficulties - CEO Carl Yankowski resigned earlier this week after poor game sales, sending share prices plummeting. Although a cult brand Ghost Rider has a healthy fan base, with more than 45 million copies of the comic sold since it first appeared in 1972. Marvel is planning to release a new series of limited edition Ghost Rider comics next September.

A summer 2006 released is currently planned for both the Ghost Rider game and movie.
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Ghost Rider Game Develops
7-15-05
Majesco announced that it is developing a video game based on Marvel's Ghost Rider franchise, which is also the basis of an upcoming movie starring Nicolas Cage. The game rises out of the licensing deal finalized earlier this year between Majesco and Marvel Enterprises, Inc. Currently under development by Climax Group, Ghost Rider is scheduled to ship in the summer of 2006, in conjunction with Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios' release of the Ghost Rider movie. Like the comic and movie, Ghost Rider centers on motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze, who strikes a deal with Mephistopheles for his soul, in exchange for which Johnny must forever ride through the night, avenging evil as the Ghost Rider.
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Ghost Rider - In Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze,
7-4-05
a motorcycle stunt rider, makes a deal with the devil in order to save his father's life, only to become possessed by his demonic alter ego, Ghost Rider. As he struggles against his new persona, he must save his girlfriend and engage in a mortal battle with Mephistopheles. Ghost Rider stars Nicolas Cage, Wes Bentley, Eva Mendes, Sam Elliott, and Peter Fonda. Join us for a first look at Ghost Rider with director Mark Steven Johnson, star Eva Mendes, and Marvel's own Avi Arad in person.
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'Ghost' also rides as video game in 2006
7-13-05
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Marvel Enterprises' "Ghost Rider" comic series is spawning not only a feature starring Nicolas Cage, but also a video game. Majesco Entertainment said Tuesday it will release a game next summer to coincide with Sony's movie.

The "Ghost Rider" comic has sold more than 45 million copies since it was introduced in 1972. It revolves around motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze, who makes a deal with Mephistopheles to save his father's life. In exchange, Blaze loses his immortal soul and is destined to ride through the night, avenging evil as the Ghost Rider and never to be reunited with the love of his life.

The game deal is part of a licensing agreement finalized this year between Majesco and Marvel. U.K.-based development studio Climax is working on the new game for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PlayStation Portable platforms. Comic scribes Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti are penning the game's story, which will pick up after the events in the upcoming film.

Marvel Enterprises director of video game development Ames Kirshen said that key members of the Climax development team went to Australia during the film shoot. "They came away with some great assets, both 2-D and 3-D, which have been crucial for us to most accurately re-create (director) Mark Steven Johnson's theatrical vision into a 3-D interactive video game world," Kirshen said.

"The target demographic for games and comics has significant overlap, and oftentimes, comic properties translate very well into compelling video games," Majesco Entertainment senior product manager Liz Buckley said. "The Ghost Rider game offers a unique combination of high-impact combat and motorcycle action infused with supernatural elements." Buckley added that like the recent Marvel and Activision "Fantastic Four" video game, the "Ghost Rider" game will utilize characters from the Hollywood adaptation and the Marvel comic universe. At this time, the game will not feature voices or likenesses from the film's cast.

She said players, as Ghost Rider, will face off against such villains as Blackheart and Mephistopheles. Players will be able to ride the Hell Cycle on water and boost over jumps. The third-person perspective game also will feature such weapons as the Hellfire Chain and Hellfire Shotgun. Additionally Tuesday, Majesco cut its fiscal 2005 financial targets due to a variety of charges and write downs, and said that Chief Executive and Chairman Carl Yankowski resigned.
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Ghost Rider is Here!
6-23-05
First look at Nic Cage in character!
Sony Pictures has released the first official image of a flaming-skulled Nicolas Cage as Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider! The picture appears on a promotional banner at the 2005 Licensing Show International in New York City. Ghost Rider's look appears relatively unchanged from how he appears in the comics. Flame engulfs Johnny Blaze's skull and even flickers from his eye sockets and from under his leather jacket. Click on the image below for a larger version.

he Licensing Show is where the studios go to peddle their respective entertainment licensing royalties. As The Hollywood Reporter tells us, "industry experts are expecting another strong year for entertainment licensing in 2006 because of several promising film properties being launched this week at the Licensing Show, including Superman Returns from Warner Bros. Pictures, Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest and Pixar Animation's Cars from Walt Disney Studios, Ghost Rider from Sony Pictures/Marvel, X3 from 20th Century Fox/Marvel and the animated features Flushed Away and Over the Hedge from DreamWorks Pictures."

Ghost Rider opens summer 2006. It was directed by Mark Steven Johnson and produced by Gary Foster, the team behind Daredevil.
  
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Nic Cage speaks
6-17-05
There’s much hustle and bustle about Melbourne these days. The roaring of motorcycles fills the air, as a vengeful spirit with a flaming skull roams the roads. No, it’s not the annual general meeting of the Gypsy Jokers, it’s just Nicolas Cage going about his day’s work with his usual verve. Things have been moving along nicely on the set of Ghost Rider, and he’s been telling our fellow comic book movie enthusiasts SuperheroHype / ComingSoon all about it.

In the dialogue, Cage talks about the film's effects “…I've always enjoyed working with (them). I like any aspect that's creative, and Kevin Mack, who's directing the visual effects, is a very creative man and a very interesting person to talk to…”, the appeal of the character “…Ghost Rider really walks this dimension between two different worlds, and to me that is interesting…”, as well as a really interesting little nugget on his preparation for the role, involving a cobra.

You can read the whole kit and kaboodle here, and Empire will be bringing you loads more on Ghost Rider between now and its August 2006 release date.

New Set Pics
6-2-05
A deeper look inside the set of the upcoming Ghost Rider movie.
Click here for more pics


UnCaged in a tale of Anakie
6-2-05
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Cameraman Mark Goelnicht filming the Hollywood blockbuster Ghost Rider in the Geelong region. FILMING of Hollywood's Ghost Rider rolled on in the outskirts of Geelong yesterday without its biggest star.

Actor Nicolas Cage was nowhere to be seen as the crew of the $100 million movie descended on Anakie. But he didn't need to be, not this day anyway. There was still plenty of action with the 180-strong crew on location on the Bacchus Marsh Road to shoot a scene involving a younger version of Cage's character.

He plays Johnny Blaze, a Marvel Comics character, who avenges injustice on a motorcycle engulfed in flames. Yesterday the Bacchus Marsh Road was transformed into a crossroads in Texas where Blaze comes face to face with his nemesis. In one of several scenes shot in the Geelong region, the crew filmed the character coming off his bike when a lightning strike - to be added through special effects - hits.

Even though it was shot during the day, the scene will later be edited to look like night. The Bacchus Marsh Road was closed during filming with traffic diverted along an alternate route which had received a $20,000 upgrade courtesy of the film production company. Gravel was brought in to recreate the intersection and local signposts removed to erase any hint of Australia. In its place was a windmill, Route 77 signs and a pack of Texas longhorns happily chewing their cud.

The art department does a huge job everywhere they go to recreate where they supposed to be, location manager Drew Rhodes said. You pull a few signs out and just add a few signs, it is incredible how it starts to look like America. Managing so many people on one set is no small feat, but everyone here has their role down pat.

Before the cameras roll, stand-ins fill in for the actors as the lighting and and cameras are fine tuned. The crew arrived at 4.30am yesterday and worked through until 6pm. It was its second day near Anakie after shooting for two nights at the same location in March. Mr Rhodes said the Little River Earth Sanctuary had also featured as a backdrop in the film. It caught the eye of location scouts as the perfect spot for romantic rendezvous with Cage's character's love interest.

``It is supposed to be a really romantic spot,'' Mr Rhodes said. ``We have shot a few scenes out there and they have been really helpful.'' Bacchus Marsh was chosen for the carnival scenes with a tent set up there for weeks. But most of the action during the 18-week shot has been in Melbourne and at the Docklands studios. ``It is the biggest thing that has ever been done here and for what we have been doing we have had nothing but support,'' Mr Rhodes said. The City of Greater Geelong's film unit, Film Geelong, helped co-ordinate the logistics of the shoot.

When filming finishes, adding the special effects is excepted to take another nine months. Ghost Rider, which also stars Eva Mendes and Wes Bentley, will be a major summer release for Columbia Pictures in 2006.
Source

News update
5-27-05
Nicolas Cage has just wrapped “Ghost Rider” in Melbourne and has returned home to la la land. His hair-piece stayed behind

Mendes Sees Ghost's Humor
5-26-05
Eva Mendes, who is currently shooting the Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider, told SCI FI Wire that the mood on the set has been light, thanks in part to her co-star Nicolas Cage. "He's so strangely funny, and I love his sense of humor," Mendes said in an interview on the set in Melbourne, Australia. "[Director Mark Steven Johnson] is funny in a different way, so between both of them and then between me—I'm just obnoxious—we're just always laughing. So it's a really great chemistry on set. It's probably—no, not probably—it is the best time I've ever had filming a movie. The actual process has been the best because of the company."

Mendes said that she's also enjoyed sharing screen time with Cage, who often improvises lines and gives different performances for each take. "I like that, because it keeps me on my toes, and there's never a dull moment," she said. "He seriously is one of the best actors of our time. You see what's on the page, and then you see what he brings to it and the chances that he takes. It's just how he twists stuff. And his choices are so great that he makes it so interesting, and it's great because you don't know what's going to happen. For me it's great, I love it. I've never felt thrown off or anything. He did it to me a few times today, and I was like, 'Cool.'"

In the film, Mendes plays Roxanne Simpson, a childhood sweetheart of Cage's Johnny Blaze. Although Roxanne is a blue-eyed blonde in the original comic, Mendes said that Johnson felt she embodied the spirit of the character, despite her brown hair and eyes. "I thought it was really interesting that Mark didn't really care about [her looks]," Mendes said. "He just wanted the essence of Roxanne. And she's real kick-ass. She's not some skinny little frail thing, which I love. She's got a woman's body. She's tough. She's not some little victim. So I like that he just wanted to keep the essence of her, but he took a chance. And I think in today's world that's so great, because he's reflecting what's really out there, especially in America. So I'm really happy he did that."

Mendes added that she has only one disappointment in the film so far: that she doesn't get a chance to ride on Ghost Rider's iconic hell cycle. "Can you guys complain about that?" she joked. "Maybe they can add something in." Ghost Rider is scheduled for release in August of 2006.
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GHOST RIDER
5-24-05
Sci Fi Wire caught up with director Mark Steven Johnson, who talked about taking the original David Goyer script and making it more like the comics. "It's one of those things that there is no right or wrong to it," Johnson said. "He just chose a different story, and I really liked it. It just isn't the story that I was going to tell. So they're really completely different screenplays. I really like David's writing a lot, though. [I'm a] big fan of him. The fact that the devil made a deal with Johnny and gave him all these powers, and Johnny took those powers to go fight the devil, never quite added up. And so everybody over the years kept trying to solve that and change that. So it's kind of actually a faulty concept in a weird way. So that was odd. That's something that took me many, many months to finally crack it. And once I came up with the idea of the devil's bounty hunter, that there's rules in heaven and hell on Earth, [it made sense]. The idea is that Mephistopheles has to find the best rider in the world to become his Ghost Rider, that made sense to me. He has to give him this power, because he works for him. Then I got it. Then everything from there flowed. But at first it was tough."

They also caught up with Nicolas Cage, who said he was fine with the effects work on the Marvel adaptation. "I've always enjoyed working with effects," Cage said. "To me, it's just stimulating to be around it, to participate. ... After the production is finished shooting here, I want to go to where they're working on the effects and say hello and see what they're doing with all the painting and how they're going to make the fire work, because fire is, you probably know, the most difficult of all the digital effects to pull off. We've managed to really put a great deal of humor [in it]. That came naturally to me. I think that heavy material is inherently -- I know this is going to sound strange -- but it can lend itself very easily to humor. Because I think people, when they're in heavy occupations, you look at paramedics or cops, they have the blackest humor. But it's a way of coping with the situation."
Source

Cage Unbound By Ghost Rider
5-24-05
Nicolas Cage, star of the upcoming Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider, told SCI FI Wire that he hasn't had any trouble dealing with the visual-effects aspects of his character, who transforms into a demon with a flaming skull for a head. "I've always enjoyed working with effects," Cage said in an interview on the set in Melbourne, Australia. "To me, it's just stimulating to be around it, to participate. ... After the production is finished shooting here, I want to go to where they're working on the effects and say hello and see what they're doing with all the painting and how they're going to make the fire work, because fire is, you probably know, the most difficult of all the digital effects to pull off." Cage plays Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stunt rider who becomes the devil's bounty hunter after striking a Faustian bargain in his youth. Although the subject matter deals with serious themes, Cage said he has tried to inject some lighter moments into the film that weren't in the script. "We've managed to really put a great deal of humor [in it]," he said. "That came naturally to me. I think that heavy material is inherently&151;I know this is going to sound strange&151;but it can lend itself very easily to humor. Because I think people, when they're in heavy occupations, you look at paramedics or cops, they have the blackest humor. But it's a way of coping with the situation."

Cage, a longtime fan of the comic, said the character has always appealed to him because he stood out from typical comic-book heroes. "It was dealing with very complicated spiritual issues," Cage said. "And for a comic book, that, to me seemed different than all the others. I have a line in the movie that we worked on where I say, 'I'm the only one that can walk in both worlds.' And Ghost Rider really is that, when you think about it. Spider-Man doesn't go into the supernatural or the spiritual world. Superman doesn't. Batman doesn't. But Ghost Rider really walks this dimension between two different worlds, and to me that is interesting." Ghost Rider is scheduled for release in August 2006.
Source

Johnson Faithful To Ghost Rider
5-23-05
Mark Steven Johnson, director of the upcoming Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider, told SCI FI Wire that he made changes to the original script by David S. Goyer to make the film more like the comic. "Its one of those things that there is no right or wrong to it," Johnson said in an interview on the set in Melbourne, Australia. "He just chose a different story, and I really liked it. It just isn't the story that I was going to tell. So they're really completely different screenplays. I really like David's writing a lot, though. [I'm a] big fan of him."

Ghost Rider is the story of Johnny Blaze (played by Nicolas Cage), a motorcycle stunt rider who made a deal with the devil in his youth and is now forced to do his bidding. Johnson said that he wanted to stay as true to the comic as possible, a difficult task given that the mythology changed often during the course of the series. Johnson, whose last film, Daredevil, was also based on a Marvel Comics character, combined elements from different eras of the comic to create an original story that retained the feel of the comic. "The fact that the devil made a deal with Johnny and gave him all these powers, and Johnny took those powers to go fight the devil, never quite added up," Johnson said. "And so everybody over the years kept trying to solve that and change that. So it's kind of actually a faulty concept in a weird way. So that was odd. That's something that took me many, many months to finally crack it. And once I came up with the idea of the devil's bounty hunter, that there's rules in heaven and hell on Earth, [it made sense]. The idea is that Mephistopheles has to find the best rider in the world to become his Ghost Rider, that made sense to me. He has to give him this power, because he works for him. Then I got it. Then everything from there flowed. But at first it was tough." Ghost Rider is scheduled for release in August of 2006.
Source

The edge: ‘Ghost Rider’ fan Cage will play title role
5-01-05
He’s directing only his third film, but Mark Steven Johnson has learned the secret to luring A-list talent to his movies: Offer them comic-book characters. That’s how he nabbed Ben Affleck for 2003’s "Daredevil," and it worked again in attracting Nicolas Cage for the lead in "Ghost Rider," due Aug. 4, 2006. "Most of these guys are comic-book geeks like me," Johnson says from Melbourne, Australia, where he is shooting the story of Johnny Blaze (Cage), a biker who sells his soul to the devil to save his girlfriend and then struggles with his demonic side, aka Ghost Rider. "Nic is one of the biggest fans of the comic book out there." So big, in fact, that the actor sports a tattoo of the Ghost Rider’s flaming skull on his arm. Makeup artists had to cover it for the film. Says Johnson: "The irony is we had to remove Nic’s Ghost Rider so he could play Ghost Rider."
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SET PICS>>>
4-30-05
These pics where given to cagefactor by Sheila who at one time was a member of the fan club here, and is still a member of cagefactor. I want to thank her from all the fans here of Nic's for sharing these pics with us and her story about working with Mr. Cage...

My name is Sheila, and I am currently working on the set of Ghost Rider with Mr. Cage.

I wanted to share with you some personal shots on set. I hope you will enjoy them. I'm sorry they are some blurred. Just to also let you know that you have a brilliant site and you are to be commended for such an excellent job. Mr. Cage speaks fondly of your site and hopes you will continue to surprise and humble him each time he stops by. Thanks for everything mate!

Update
Actually I'm not a part of the movie. I only help with the script such as revisions and whatnot. Making sure everyone has one etc. Not a very glamorous job I'm afraid. But things have been smashing on set as of late. Everything will be winding up in about two weeks. This has been such a wonderful experience not only for me but for many who have been waiting for something like this to happen in Melbourne! Freakin Great! As for Mr. Cage himself he's doing so much right now.

This is going to be BIG!!
4-23-05
With that leather jacket, tussled hair and slow-simmering scowl, Nicolas Cage may not look like much of a superhero. Nevertheless, sitting on his motorcycle, giving someone the evil eye, the A-list actor seems determined to trade in his quirky charm for a character who truly is haunted.

The "Ghost Rider" comic-book series, which debuted in 1972, tells the story of an ill-tempered motorcyclist named Johnny Blaze who makes a deal with the devil in order to save a loved one. Damned to a life of servitude, Blaze transforms into Ghost Rider — a lightning-fast demon with soulless eyes and a flaming skull. If you're traveling late at night and glance into your rearview mirror to find the Ghost Rider, you're likely not long for this world. Cage, an obsessive comic collector and fan of the series, will be portraying both Blaze and his incendiary alter ego. Directed by Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil"), the film boasts an impressive supporting cast that features Wes Bentley, Eva Mendes, Donal Logue and Peter Fonda as the sinister Mephisto.

Currently shooting in Australia, the hell-on-wheels film has its sights set on a release date of August 4, 2006. For now, we'll have to wait for that first photo of Cage with a flaming head and maniacal grin — so keep checking back for the latest photos and news.
Source

Ghost Rider (Summer 2006):
4-15-05
Nicolas Cage assumes the flaming skull of Johnny Blaze, a biker who cuts a bargain with the devil and becomes an avenging demonic angel.

Ghost Rider Partly Shot Digitally
March 20, 2005
Digital Pictures Melbourne has taken delivery of two Sony SRW-5000 HDCAM-SR VTR decks as part of the company's move to use digital technology in the creative processes of feature film production. The first project to benefit from the investment is the feature film Ghost Rider, the adaptation of the Marvel comic book series. The move reinforces HDCAM-SR as a high quality mastering format, suitable for digital cinema production, broadcast and distribution. "The movie is being shot on 35mm film at Central City Studios and some plates are being captured using a Sony HDC-950 camera," said John Fleming, General Manager, Digital Pictures Melbourne.

"We will be processing the film here and using our Sony VIALTA telecine and da Vinci 2K grading system to transfer daily best light rushes to the HD SR format in 4:4:4. Dailies will also be transferred to Sony/Columbia Pictures' Digital Media Technology Centre in Los Angles using a high speed internet link and a Digital Fountain data accelerator.' The rushes will be used in all forms of publicity, marketing and audience research as the director works very closely with Ghost Rider fans. "We will also be conforming off the HDCAM-SR tapes for previews. We have installed a Barco DP100 projector so we can play a 4:4:4 signal off the SR decks into our digital screening theatre — it's a very progressive way of dealing with the whole process," said Fleming.

"The Sony decks are the only machines delivering 4:4:4 capabilities - they provide a highly cost efficient way of enabling flexibility in the creative process, while still being able to effectively market the project in production and post production. Two decks are required to clone each tape every day and ensure redundancy. "The HDCAM-SR decks are second generation machines that use less compression than the previous system and offer the advantage of 12 audio tracks which is an important requirement for us. 12 tracks come in handy for feature film mastering as we can include 5.1, stereo and stereo M&E tracks as well. "HDCAM-SR is becoming the preferred international delivery format for mastering feature films and with this upgrade we can provide world class facilities to service future large scale projects," said Fleming. In related news, Quiet On Set, a new Australian program, will feature an interview with Ghost Rider actor Matt Norman on March 28th. More details are available at the link above
Source

According to IGN's FilmForce,
Actor Nicolas Cage talked to Giant Magazine about realizing his dream. "I'm going to Australia at the end of the month to finally see what it's like playing a comic-book character in a movie," Cage said at the time. "I'm playing Ghost Rider, who is the Marvel superhero who sold his soul to the devil to save his [adoptive] father's life. He turns into the devil's minion, and at night he goes and tries to bring back whatever innocent blood has been spilled. It's what I like to think of as my pop art drawing. I was a fan of the image, the iconography of the character. He was for bikers what the Silver Surfer was for surfers. I grew up perplexed by the nature of the story, which, when you think about it, is classical and quite complicated for a comic book. It's like Evel Knievel meets Faust."

Word from a fan
I'm living in a building on Lonsdale Street, Melbourne that faces the warehouse building where the "Ghost Rider" set is (the one on Little Lonsdale. I can see some photography lights on now on the rooftop and it's really amazing. Perhaps they would be shooting later tonight. I might sneak around there later and perhaps get a picture. Thanks Haida!! 3-1-05

New Ghost Rider Set Reports!
Source: Speds February 23, 2005
Scooper 'Speds' checked out two of the Ghost Rider sets in Melbourne and sent us two reports. The Mark Steven Johnson-directed comic book adaptation stars Nicolas Cage and will be distributed by Columbia Pictures:

I went and checked out two sets being used/built for Ghost Rider. The first I checked out was near the corner of Lil' Lonsdale St and Elizabeth st. An alley off Lil' Lonsdale house two Garage/Petrol stations while Lil' Lonsdale St has the rear of the garages which are being used as shop fronts. One of the shop fronts is a TV repair place. I was really impressed at the look of these buildings. The surrounds were burnt out barrels, discarded tyres and so on.

Next stop was the Cemetry in Carlton. There wasn't much to look at in terms of set but there was a big catering/lunch tent and plenty of trucks there including trailers for "Blackheart", "MSJ", "JB Make Up", "Caretaker" and so on. Security were patrolling both sets and were real nice. I asked the security guy at the cemetry when they were filming there next and he said they were at the Docklands studio today (Sunday) and back at the cemetry on Tuesday. So I figure its a night shoot so I'm heading back down tonight.

I'll report back if theres anything new. Then here is the second part: I checked in at the cemetary set again last night. VERY different to Sunday's venture down because it was all action. Approaching the cemetary, at about 10pm, driving down the road you could massive lights deep in cemetary. This was exciting but also a little depressing because the cemetary in massive and it looked as though they were deep in it meaning we wouldn't get to see much. The same truck's and trailers filled the road only this time there were people busying around working.

We walked the length of the cemetary walls trying to get a glimpse and alot of these areas were DARK as hell and full of bats... add in the cemetary on the other side of the fence and it made for a scary place to film a movie. All the action seemed to be taking place outside a small haunted looking chapel which was in the centre of the cemetary. The highlight of tonights visit was that I got to peep inside the wardrobe trailer which housed about 5 trenchcoat type jackets, plenty of leather jackets, boxes of studded stuff like belts and bracelets and 4 tubs that said - Johnny Blaze, Ghostrider, Roxanne & Caretaker. I thought it interesting there was a Roxanne tub because I thought Eva Mendes wasn't due in Australia for a few more weeks.

I also spied someone eating McDonalds in Blackheart's trailer.... OOOOH! Worth a mention to was that there was an Australian Movie Livestock truck there too which had a light brown almost white-ish horse and a jet black evil looking horse... So I guess we're getting horses in the cemetary scene.
Source
Thanks Renee for the scoop

1-19-05
Peter Fonda...
is in negotiations and Donal Logue has joined the cast of the Nicolas Cage starrer "Ghost Rider." Based on a Marvel Comics property, the Columbia Pictures action-adventure film tells the story of Johnny Blaze (Cage), a stunt motorcyclist who saves the world from evil spirits that cross over from beyond. Fonda would play the role of Mephistopheles, and Logue will play Mack, Johnny's chief mechanic and best friend.

"Ghost," which also stars Eva Mendes, Wes Bentley and Sam Elliott, began shooting this week in Australia. Mark Steven Johnson is directing a script by Shane Salerno, which Johnson rewrote. Logue's current projects include "El Centro," a one-hour drama he is attached to star in as well as write and produce. Logue's feature directorial debut, "Tennis Anyone ...?," recently premiered at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo. Logue just finished shooting DreamWorks' "Just Like Heaven," directed by Mark Waters and starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. He most recently was the star of the WB Network series "Grounded for Life."

Fonda's recent films include "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things" and "The Laramie Project." He also has been involved in a number of TV projects, including the telefilm "Back When We Were Grownups."
Source

Matt Long To Play Younger Nic Cage 'Ghost Rider'
Matt Long ("Jack & Bobby") is in talks to play a younger version of the title character played by Nicolas Cage in the Marvel Comics adaptation Ghost Rider, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The movie stars Cage as a former motorcycle stuntman named Johnny Blaze who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit -- becoming a bike-riding demon in the process -- to secure the safety of his true love, to be played by Eva Mendes.

Long would play a young Johnny, who makes the deal with the devil. Also starring are Wes Bentley and Sam Elliott. Mark Steven Johnson is directing and wrote the latest draft of the script.
Source

Ghost star Cage floats into town
HOLLYWOOD leading light Nicolas Cage and his A-list sized entourage slipped into town from LA largely unnoticed more than a week ago. Cage and his friends flew into Melbourne first class on Qantas. They attracted little attention as they went through customs then headed off in a convoy to the leafy surrounds of Toorak. Cage is understood to have taken up residence in an enormous walled Toorak mansion. It has has set the production company behind the film Ghost Rider back $250,000 for the six- month lease.

Cage spent much of the week rehearsing at the Docklands Studio City for his role as Johnny Blaze in the big budget Marvel Comics adaptation, which begins filming tomorrow. Cage, who was spotted out with friends in Toorak Rd during the week, looks set to enjoy his time in Melbourne. The actor has confirmed he will be attending the Australian Grand Prix on race day, March 6, with wife Alice Kim, a personal trainer and private security.

Cage will be a guest in the exclusive Victoria Suite and will tour the F1 paddock and pit lane. He is also expected to be part of the VIP grid walk in the countdown to the start of the race. And he has been invited to attend the GP Ball on March 4. Cage will be a fixture around town with Ghost Rider commitments likely to keep him in Melbourne for several months.

He will be joined on the shoot by American Beauty actor Wes Bentley and sultry Hispanic actor Eva Mendes, who will play his love interest. Former Stingers actor Daniel Frederiksen is understood to have landed a prominent role in the action adventure, playing a water demon called Wallow. Other locals believed to have scored parts are Laurence Breuls and Matthew Wilkinson.
Source

Nicolas Cage revs up for action
2-14-05

THE blue beanie and dark sunnies did little to disguise Hollywood star Nicolas Cage as filming started on Ghost Rider in Melbourne yesterday. Cage will play hero Johnny Blaze -- a motorcycle stunt rider. Ghost Rider will be filmed at several locations in Melbourne, mainly at Docklands' Central City Studios, and regional Victoria. Cage is believed to be staying in Toorak and will be around town for several months during filming.

He has accepted an invitation to the Australian Grand Prix. It is not known whether his 20-year-old wife Alice Kim -- a former sushi waitress he married in July last year -- is staying with the Oscar winner in Melbourne. Ghost Rider is the latest in a string of Marvel comic book adaptations, including Daredevil, Hulk and the Spider-Man and X-Men films.

The sultry Eva Mendes will play Johnny Blaze's love interest. He agrees to co-operate with evil spirits after they threaten her in the $50 million action thriller.
Source

Former Stingers actor Daniel Frederiksen
has, we hear, landed a major role co-starring with Nicolas Cage in big-budget action movie Ghost Rider. ...

Long Rides With Ghost
2-8-05
tt Long (The WB's Jack & Bobby) is in talks to play a younger version of the title character played by Nicolas Cage in Columbia Pictures' Ghost Rider, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics title, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie stars Cage as a former motorcycle stuntman named Johnny Blaze who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit. Eva Mendes will play Cage's love interest.

Long would play a young Johnny, who makes the deal with the devil. Also starring are Wes Bentley and Sam Elliott. Mark Steven Johnson is directing and wrote the latest draft of the script. Shane Salerno wrote the original draft, the trade paper reported.
Source

Eva Mendes2-5-05
has just signed to co-star with Nicolas Cage and Wes Bentley in Mark Steven Johnson's "Ghost Rider". Mendes can next be seen in the romantic comedy "Hitch" alongside Will Smith opening next Friday. Shooting on "Ghost Rider" is about to begin in Victoria shortly..."
Source



Mendes rides with Cage on 'Ghost'
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Eva Mendes, who stars in the Friday release "Hitch," will play Nicolas Cage's love interest in "Ghost Rider," an adaptation of the Marvel Comics comic book. Cage plays the title character, a former motorcycle stuntman who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit -- becoming a bike-riding demon in the process -- to secure the safety of his true love (Mendes).

Mark Steven Johnson is directing the Columbia project. The studio is also releasing "Hitch," which stars Will Smith. Mendes' credits include "Training Day" and "2 Fast 2 Furious."
Source

Wes Bentley has joined the cast of "Ghost Rider,
The Marvel Comics adaptation starring Nicolas Cage in the title role, a former motorcycle stuntman whose body become host to a vengeful spirit. Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil") is directing. ... Cage, meanwhile, is developing a biopic based on poker legend Amarillo Slim Preston. Stephen Rivele and Christopher Wilkinson, who wrote "Ali" and "Nixon," are writing the script.
Source

Bentley Riding with Cage in 'Ghost'
1-21-05
OS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Wes Bentley (news) has signed on to play the bad guy opposite Nicolas Cage (news) in the Marvel Comics adaptation "Ghost Rider." The Columbia project stars Cage in the title role. He plays a former motorcycle stuntman who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit, Ghost Rider, a bike-riding demon, to secure the safety of his true love. Bentley will play Black Heart. Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil") is directing.

"Ghost" previously was set up at Dimension Films, with "Blade" veteran David S. Goyer attached to direct. Bentley most recently appeared in the 2002 release "The Four Feathers." His breakthrough role was as a disturbed neighbor in 1999's "American Beauty."
Source

Ghost Rider news
This is from a thread at the The Official Ghost Rider Hype Thread!
Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long since I've checked in, but we start shooting in about four weeks so you can imagine how busy things are! Jesus. Four weeks out. Hard to believe, eh? Especially for those of you, like myself, who have waited for this movie for such a long time. These updates are always hard to write as I have to toe the line between wanting to tell you everything while having to keep the details under wraps. So, first off. Casting. Mr. Cage will be Johnny Blaze. Take it from me. That's a done deal. And I could not be happier. Nic is in the shape of his life. Lean and mean, like a motorcycle stunt rider should. I've cast a few more parts but I should wait until the official announcements come (very soon). But safe to say, when in doubt? Listen to Biggun!

The Budget. Nice to see that we've been "upgraded" from a $40 million dollar movie to a $51 million dollar movie! Maybe that's enough for a Dazzler movie but not for a Ghost Rider movie! Seriously, this is an event movie. And Sony knows how to make them right. Rest assured. That is not the budget. Not by a long shot. Johnny vs. Danny. The great thing about making a Ghost Rider movie is that I get to take the best from both the Johnny Blaze and the Danny Ketch versions of the comic. So even though I am telling the Johnny Blaze origin story, there are elements of the Danny Ketch stories that I love and will include in the movie (so don't worry, Flamehead! Your beloved Danny Ketch will be there in spirit!). Caretaker will be there. And Blackheart. But so will Mephisto and Roxanne and the Quentin Carnival.

The script. People have mentioned the old David Goyer draft. Goyer wrote two really interesting versions of a Ghost Rider movie. I'd go to see either one of them. But my version is my own. The script is much closer to the comic. But at the same time, it's much more of a Western. A Supernatural Western is, I think, about the coolest idea ever. The Ghost Rider needs that open road as well as the city. I feel that is what makes him unique -- that he's a rider. Think Mad Max. Unforgiven. We have huge battles in the city but, ultimately, they will end up out in the desert. The Hellcycle. Well, it's simply unbelievable. It's sculpt is finished and it went into the molds last week. It's the Chopper from Hell. No doubt about it. This is the coolest thing I have ever seen in my life. The toys and the video game are already in the works and they are going to kick ass!

Better go. Sunday morning here and I have to get back to work. Will check in again later and soon, hopefully, with some artwork. Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts and criticisms. I'm making this for us!
MSJ
Source

The Herald Sun reports on the Ghost Rider production:
Despite rumours that cast doubt on his participation in the project, recently married actor Nicolas Cage will be in Melbourne in February to start work on the action blockbuster Ghost Rider. Cage, 40, is expected to arrive in town early in the month to prepare for his role as Johnny Blaze in the movie which starts filming at Central City Studios, Docklands, on February 14.

Visit the link:
www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11728570%5E27258,00.html
for the full article.

Digital Pictures will be working on the Ghost Rider special effects.
DESPITE rumours that cast doubt on his participation in the project, recently married actor Nicolas Cage will be in Melbourne in February to start work on the action blockbuster Ghost Rider. Cage, 40, is expected to arrive in town early in the month to prepare for his role as Johnny Blaze in the movie which starts filming at Central City Studios, Docklands, on February 14. There is no word on whether he will be accompanied by his latest wife, 20-year-old former sushi waitress Alice Kim. Source

Update on the Ghost Rider Production
December 27, 2004
'Ultimatefan' pointed us to the Herald Sun which reports on the Ghost Rider production: Despite rumours that cast doubt on his participation in the project, recently married actor Nicolas Cage will be in Melbourne in February to start work on the action blockbuster Ghost Rider.

Cage, 40, is expected to arrive in town early in the month to prepare for his role as Johnny Blaze in the movie which starts filming at Central City Studios, Docklands, on February 14. Visit the link above for the full article. Digital Pictures will also be working on the Ghost Rider special effects.
Source

Cage film 'to go ahead here'
11-17-04
THE makers of a Hollywood blockbuster due to be filmed in Melbourne have denied reports that actor Nicolas Cage might pull out of his starring role, scuppering the project. A publicist for the movie Ghost Rider today said filming of the $US40 million ($51.77 million) production was on track to begin at the end of January.

That was despite Cage telling reporters in the United States that he was yet to commit to the project. Ghost Rider will be the biggest feature film made in Victoria, and is seen as crucial for the future of the Central City Studios in the Docklands precinct. Oscar-winning Cage has been slated to play the lead character in the big screen version of the Marvel comic book series, with the film project to employ 500 people over five months.

But the American actor has said he needs to resolve issues with writer-director Mark Steven Johnson's script, and his concerns about the vision for the film. "I would be very happy if that happened and we made it in Australia," Cage said. While his role was not a sure thing, the actor revealed a scouting mission was underway to find suitable filming locations in Australia.

"It's something we're still talking about," Cage said. "I know they're in Australia right now looking for locations so it's getting down to the wire. It's not definite yet." But publicist Fiona Searson said there was no uncertainty about the production. "None of it is true," she said. "The film will be made here and he (Cage) has signed a contract ... They're due to start (filming) at the end of January and that's when they always were due to start and that's what they're working towards."

Film Victoria chief executive officer Sandra Sdraulig contacted Columbia Pictures Entertainment this morning seeking reassurance that production would go ahead in Melbourne. A spokeswoman for Film Victoria, which has provided an undisclosed amount of funding for Ghost Rider under its Production Investment Attraction Fund, said it was "rumour and innuendo" that Cage wanted to pull out of the film. A spokesman for Victoria's Minister for Innovation, John Brumby, said as far as the government was aware, production of Ghost Rider would go ahead.
Source

Cage: Ghost Not Definite
11-11-04
Nicolas Cage told reporters that his involvement in a long-gestating Ghost Rider movie is not set in stone, despite his being attached to the comic-book project for years, according to a report on the Latino Review Web site. "I'm very curious about that," Cage said at a news conference for his next film, National Treasure. "However, I'm still in talks about that particular movie. It's not a definite at this point."

The holdup? "It's really just a matter of the vision of the movie and how it will be portrayed," Cage said. "It's talks about script and things like that. It's true that I was involved with Ghost Rider over three years ago and was trying to develop it with another filmmaker. These things are very sensitive. It's a bullseye, and you really have to hit it. Otherwise, it may not work. So it's best for everyone to be cautious and make sure it's got the right auspices." Ghost Rider is based on the Marvel Comics series, about a motorcycle stunt performer who becomes an avenging hell spirit. Cage said that if things don't work out with Ghost Rider, he'll abandon comic-book roles entirely. "I think if this doesn't work, that's pretty much it," said Cage, a longtime comic-book fan who took his stage name from the comic character Luke Cage. "I've never made a comic-book film, and I'll just sort of enjoy my nostalgic memories as a boy. I don't read them anymore. It's something that really came from the past."
Source

GHOST RIDER/DAREDEVIL
10-29-04

Director Mark Steven Johnson dropped in on the Superhero Hype Message Boards, to correspond with fans about the the upcoming Nicolas Cage-fueled Marvel adaptation. "Ghost Rider is inherently a darker character and that will be reflected in the movie," Johnson said. "However, if you look, there was actually very little R-rated violence in the original Ghost Rider, just darker themes. I think that gore too often replaces suspense in horror movies and takes you out of a movie. 'Jaws' is one of my favorite films of all time, and it’s rated PG. Likewise, 'Lord of the Rings' had plenty of kick ass action and violence for a PG-13 movie. It’s really about being clever and pushing the boundaries. But as with all of these movies, it's really about love, isn't it? Whether you're talking about 'Terminator 2' or 'Lord of The Rings' or 'Spider-man' it's about love of a girl or love of a friend, etc. and if that doesn't work then all of the bad ass action and awesome effects mean nothing."

He also addressed the topic of his last leather-clad Marvel movie. "Daredevil is an amazing character and bigger than any one actor. I would love to do another one. If the 'Elektra' spin-off does well, I could certainly see that happening."
Source

A ''Faithful'' Ghost Rider Movie?
Director, producers reportedly reveal details.
October 27, 2004

Superhero Hype had a spy at the recent "Melbourne On Screen" event at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image where Ghost Rider writer-director Mark Steven Johnson and producers Gary Foster and Bennett Walsh were said to be in attendance. According to SHH, "Johnson stated that he will be keeping as faithful to the comic book concepts as possible, while trying to make the concept of a demonic character fighting evil more plausible within the logic of his story. To this end, he is approaching the Ghost Rider as a 'Bounty hunter for the Devil', and he described the feel of the film as a modern day western with supernatural elements."

Ghost Rider reportedly features "the Johnny Blaze version of the Ghost Rider and will also feature Mephistopholes [sic] and Blackheart as villians, and was described as a 'faustian' tale." IGN FilmForce can confirm that Mephistopheles and Blackheart are indeed the villains in the movie.

SHH also confirms that Nicolas Cage will star and Imageworks will provide the special effects, including Ghost Rider's signature flaming skull. For more details, click here. Filming on Ghost Rider begins in Melbourne, Australia in late January.
Source

Ghost Rider Movie Update!
Source: Robert October 27, 2004

Scooper 'Robert' sent us a big update on the Ghost Rider movie, written and to be directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil). You can click the names below to learn more about each:

CREW
concept work on the project started a few months back. Concept art for the film was done by Crash McGreary and Miles Teves, while Marc Vena (Rush Hour, Dr. Dolittle, Sahara) did storyboards.

(Oscarwinner)
Russel Boyd (Master and Commander) is on board as the DOP - Bennett Walsh (Kill Bill, Stealth) is also on board as executive producer!

SHOOT
The official website for Film Victoria has been updated and states that Ghost Rider will shoot from January 2005 - June 2005.
http://www.film.vic.gov.au/news/shooting.shtml

CHARACTERS
The following casting call confirms the rumored villain and another familar character!
"GHOST RIDER"
COLUMBIA PICTURES
Location: AUSTRALIA

Start date: JANUARY
NOW SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:
MEPHISTOPHE, male, a demon, the most evil creature to ever walk the earth, LEAD ROLE ... ROXANNE, age 20's, female, a natural beauty, a smart, likeable writer, vulnerable, gets caught in a bizarre and deadly game of vigilante justice, LEAD ROLE

Send photo & resume to:
BESTROP/MCCARTHY CASTING
5225 WILSHIRE BLVD, SUITE 418
LA, CA 90036
No phone calls or personal deliveries.

FILM
Marvel CEO, Avi Arad mentions in a new interview with INQ7.net
http://news.inq7.net/entertainment/index.php?index=1&story_id=14569

"We're about to start 'Ghost Rider' with Sony and, again, it's very different from anything else you've seen from Marvel."

UPCOMING EVENTS
This bit comes from INSIDE FILM (Aus). An evening with the Ghost Rider crew in Australia! Ask all the questions you want!

Melbourne On Screen (VIC)
WHEN 15 - 29 October
WHERE ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne

Melbourne on Screen is two weeks of events from Friday 15 - Friday 29 October, which celebrate and explore the film, television and new media sectors.

Melbourne on Screen has just announced some exciting additional highlights to the second week of the inaugural program including: free screenings of a selection of the 2004 AFI Awards nominated feature and non feature films, a Women in Film and Television workshop, a free 'In Conversation' with Australian documentary maker Dennis O'Rourke and a free 'In Conversation' with the filmmakers of Ghost Rider, the new blockbuster soon to commence filming in Melbourne at Central City Studios.

In Conversation with Ghost Rider Wed 27 Oct 6.30pm ACMI Cinemas, free Join Executive Producer Bennett Walsh (Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2), Writer Director Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil, Grumpy Old Men), Producer Gary Foster (Daredevil, The Score, Tin Cup, Sleepless in Seattle) and Australia's Oscar -winning Cinematographer Russell Boyd (Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World) for an in depth discussion of their plans for Ghost Rider, the adaptation of the Marvel comic set to shoot in Victoria in the coming months, their approach to filmmaking, creative collaborations, and some fascinating anecdotes from four international careers. Sandy George, film journalist with Screen International and Encore Magazine, will host the session.

More info can be found at
http://www.madc.com.au/info/story.asp?story=4495
Source

10-25-04
CITY lanes, Telstra Dome and the Yarra River will be the stars of the new action film Ghost Rider. Director Mark Steven Johnson, who made Daredevil, is in Melbourne preparing for shooting, on January 31 with star Nicolas Cage. He said half the film would be shot in Melbourne streets. The rest will be shot in the Central City Studios at Docklands, with a small portion in Broken Hill. Melbourne won over Sydney and Brisbane because of its versatility, Johnson said. "I just thought it was such a cooler town," he said. "This film is really going to be a showcase for Melbourne."

He pinpointed Little Collins St, some the city lanes and Telstra Dome as key locations. "There's a huge set-piece on the river downtown near an abandoned railway line, where we're having a big police chase with helicopters," he said. Other than Cage, no other cast members have been finalised, but Johnson said most would be local actors. Johnson said the Docklands film studios were also a big incentive to come to Melbourne: "They're world class." Johnson, executive producer E. Bennett Walsh, producer Gary Foster and Australian Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Boyd, of Master and Commander fame, will speak at a forum on Ghost Rider at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation square, at 6.30pm tomorrow, Herald Sun
Source



Be an extra...
HEY....Now it's a chance for you to become an extra in Nic's next movie....GOOD LUCK!

If All You Want A Chance To Be In This Movie, Send In Your CV's And HeadShots And Hope To Score An Audition.
imdb.com
Ghost Rider Casting
PO Box 5001
Sth Melbourne



Ghost Rider Earier this week...
came the news that Melbourne had been chosen as the shooting location for the Nic Cage-led comic book adaptation of "Ghost Rider". Now, Empire Online recently sat down with Cage who spoke about why he chose to take on the role of Johnny Blaze, a circus motorcycle stuntman who, after a series of tragic events, is tricked by Satan into becoming the Spirit of Vengeance aka the Ghost Rider; a flame-skulled, motorcycle-riding demon. But with Johnny's pure heart initially over-riding the Satanic imprint, the Ghost Rider becomes a vigilante, charged with cleansing impure souls via various arcane weapons.

Cage says "What I love about this idea for a comic book is that, if you think about it, its really complex. Obviously the movie should be fun and it has to have humour but if you think about a superhero whos using the powers of hell for good I mean, that is a very profound, complicated concept for a superhero...Ghost Rider's been cursed by the devil but hes not going to let the devil win. He sold his soul out of love, he was trying to save his fathers life, and then he got tricked by the trickster. But because he did it out of love the devil cant get him. He can outfox the devil and use his powers for love and good, which is interesting".
Source



9-20-04
Nicolas Cage Talks Ghost Rider
Exclusive: Actor finally set to scratch the comic book movie itch. Now this might not be the kind of image you'd normally choose to kickstart your day, but you've got to admire Nicolas Cage's balls. Several times over the last few years, the avid comic book fan has come this close to starring in his very own superhero movie, only to see one by one, the opportunity pass him by.

First of all, he was going to play the Man of Steel in Tim Burton's Superman Reborn, before it went tits-up. Then he was lined up to play The Green Goblin in Spider-Man, but scheduling conflicts scuppered that. But he's never given up (which is where our torturous balls metaphor comes in) and next January will see Cage finally get his wish when filming starts in Melbourne on Ghost Rider, the latest big-budget flick from Daredevil director (and ace foosball player), Mark Steven Johnson.

Empire had the opportunity recently to sit down with Cage, who talked in depth about the project, in which Cage will play Johnny Blaze, a circus motorcycle stuntman who, after a series of tragic events, is tricked by Satan into becoming the Spirit of Vengeance aka the Ghost Rider; a flame-skulled, motorcycle-riding demon. But with Johnny's pure heart initially over-riding the Satanic imprint, the Ghost Rider becomes a vigilante, charged with cleansing impure souls via various arcane weapons, including the blistering penance stare.

"What I love about this idea for a comic book is that, if you think about it, it's really complex. Obviously the movie should be fun and it has to have humour but if you think about a superhero who's using the powers of hell for good… I mean, that is a very profound, complicated concept for a superhero," said Cage. And if that has you thinking Hellboy, then Cage is happy to set you straight. "Hellboy is a later character," he said. "Ghost Rider's been cursed by the devil but he's not going to let the devil win. He sold his soul out of love, he was trying to save his father's life, and then he got tricked by the trickster. But because he did it out of love the devil can't get him. He can outfox the devil and use his powers for love and good, which is interesting."

Although the Ghost Rider – with its fiery skull, burning eyes, and motorcycle with flaming wheels – is one of Marvel's most easily recognisable characters, there are of course problems to reconcile when an A-lister is cast in the role: namely, how to include Cage's fizzog on the screen without compromising the iconic image. "Well I won't be THAT face," said Cage, who revealed that the Rider's face will be largely CG. "But it's important to the filmmaker that there's still moments in the CGI of the face where you can still see my own expressions, so I can work that out with them. It's hard to have a skull make facial expressions." Early reports suggest that the movie will see Ghost Rider take on Blackheart, the son of the Devil, and Cage is looking forward to the challenge of his first comic book movie.

"Ghost Rider is one of the original American Marvel comic icons," he told Empire. "He was sort of the icon for motorcyclists that the Silver Surfer was for surfers. Imagine Evel Knievel with a flaming skull for a head. It should be fun." Sounds like the understatement of the year. For more from Cage on Ghost Rider and other projects, pick up a future issue of Empire.
Source



9-15-04
NICOLAS Cage and Jon Voight are expected to star in a $40 million adaptation of the comic classic Ghost Rider to be made at Melbourne's Docklands studio next year. Cage will play a ghostly motorcycle stuntman who wreaks vengeance on villains to ensure the safety of his true love in the first major production at the studios.

The deal was announced yesterday along with an $11 million TV drama, Last Man Standing. Filming on the big screen version of the Marvel comic Ghost Rider for Columbia Pictures is expected to employ 500 people and run for five months from January. The deal is a major boost for the troubled Central City Studios, a $110 million, five studio complex which opened in March with few bookings
Source



Hollywood comes to Docklands By KIM WILSON - 12 September 2004
TWO big-budget Hollywood movies - one tipped to star heart-throb Nicolas Cage - are set to be made in Melbourne.Producers of children's classic Charlotte's Web and Ghost Rider, based on the Marvel comic, both want to come to Melbourne to film. Both production crews want to use the Docklands film studios at the same time early next year.

Despite the scheduling conflict, film industry sources say both films are likely to go ahead. Charlotte's Web producers are scouting for empty warehouse space to shoot the interior scenes. It is set in autumn, so most filming will take place outdoors. Sony Pictures' Ghost Rider, which is rumoured to star Cage and Jon Voight, was first to book the Central City Studios. The $110 million state-of-the-art studios have lain dormant since they opened in February.

Studio boss Tim Barnett conceded it was "frustrating" that two big-budget movies were interested in using the space at the same time. But it was "fantastic for everybody" they were showing an interest in Victoria. "There's been a slump in the industry, locally and internationally, over the last 18 months, but business is picking up," he said. Barnett said the two films' producers, as well as 10 other international producers, visited the studios with the aim of shooting films in Melbourne. "Six have pencilled in bookings," Barnett said.

Paramount Pictures' Charlotte's Web is expected to begin pre-production this month and begin filming next year. Based on the much- loved children's book by E.B. White, the film recreates the world of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider, his friend who helps save his life. Australia's top behind- the-scenes talent has been approached to work on Ghost Rider. Cage will play a motorcycle stuntman who does a deal with the devil to save his mentor from cancer. 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.




Cool Ghost Rider Poster
I found this at the source listed below and it is very cool, lets just hope Nic really does get to be in this movie, we all know he wants to. This is what it said about the poster...I asked a friend of mine, who calls himself - Barney, to create a poster and this is the result for what he came up with for Ghost Rider. Source



  
Fan Art is cool and exciting to see.
Here are a few I found on the net, enjoy!
Source & Source



June 6, 2004
Ghost Rider Update
MTV News has a tidbit about the Jennifer garner-fueled spinoff and some other Marvel film news: "Marvel Comics fans who were disappointed with Jennifer Garner's black leather Elektra costume in 'Daredevil' have cause to rejoice: she'll be wearing a red outfit closer to the heroine's comic book garb in next year's 'Elektra' spinoff, which is shooting in Vancouver with director Rob Bowman ('The X-Files'). ... Meanwhile, Mark Steven Johnson, who wrote and directed 'Daredevil,' is in pre-production on Marvel's 'Ghost Rider,' which he'll head to Australia in November to shoot with Nicolas Cage in the lead. Johnson has an executive producer credit on 'Elektra.' ... On a related note, Marvel's long-awaited 'Fantastic Four' has begun pre-production work just a short drive from the 'Elektra' set. Tim Story ('Barbershop') will direct."



June 2, 2004
Ghost Rider in November
Mark Steven Johnson, who wrote and directed "Daredevil," is in pre-production on Marvel's "Ghost Rider," which he'll head to Australia in November to shoot with Nicolas Cage in the lead.
Source



June 1, 2004
Comic fans have reason to cheer, too.
In announcing the settlement, Marvel reiterated its upcoming movie projects with Sony: a Luke Cage flick, slated for 2005; a Ghost Rider vehicle, once earmarked for Nicolas Cage, for 2006
Source



May 31, 2004
According to sources for IGN FilmForce, director Mark Steven Johnson's upcoming 'Ghost Rider' adaptation is currently scouting in Texas and Australia for possible shooting locations. Thanks to 'the punisher' for the heads up.




November 14, 2003:
Director Mark Steven Johnson is finishing his screenplay draft. When the studio gets the script decisions on filming dates and the casting of supporting roles will be made. Nicolas Cage is "solid" to star as the title character. He will shoot 'The Weather Man' and possibly 'Lord of War' before tackling Ghost Rider." Read more and see pic at a great Nicolas Cage Fan Site admiremycage.com
Source




This really is Nicolas Cage behind the mask
according to Comic Book Movies online. Harlow FX did this trial run 'make up test' on Nic a few years back for his Halloween party.
Source 1 | Source 2



From Comics2Film
"Ghost Rider's in play," Goyer said, indicating that new parties are looking to come on board and get it moving again. "It may end up at Sony but there are three or four different people interested in it." Goyer told us that he, director Stephen Norrington and star Nicolas Cage still want to do the movie. However, there may be creative mandates that interfere with that. "I'm hearing now they want a kinder, gentler Ghost Rider," Goyer reports. "The film that Norrington and Cage and I would have made was a very tough film. It would have been fantastic but it was a dark movie. I'm hearing now that they want something with humor in it too. I don't know, man." Apparently there's an initiative to retool Ghost Rider as a PG movie. "It's kind of an oxymoron to me. The guy's got a flaming skull. I guess you can do happy meals with that," Goyer remarked. "Norrington and I both said we didn't want to be involved with a PG Ghost Rider."



Sony offers new life for 'Ghost Rider'
Wed May 22, 2002 Zorianna Kit
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- After a successful collaboration on "Spider-Man," Columbia Pictures is negotiating to acquire the rights to Marvel Entertainment's "Ghost Rider" in turnaround from Dimension Films. The studio is negotiating with screenwriter Shane Salerno ("Shaft") to rewrite the material. At Dimension, Steve Norrington and Nicolas Cage were attached to direct and star in the film, respectively. Both are no longer involved, though Columbia and Marvel hope that Cage will still be interested to play the title role of a former motorcycle stuntman who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit in exchange for the safety of his true love. The price he pays is that at night he is transformed into Ghost Rider, a bike-riding demon with a flaming skull. As his alter ego, he avenges souls tarnished by evil. Marvel Entertainment's Avi Arad and Crystal Sky's Steven Paul are producing the project. "Marvel and Columbia are in the middle of great celebration (with 'Spider-Man') and we are happy to be doing more business together," Arad said. "We have high hopes for the project." Salerno was the creator and head writer of the short-lived series "U.C.: Undercover." He was also a writer on "Armageddon."



At last word on the film
Nicolas Cage was still in the lead role, but after talks of watering down the original script, David Goyer took himself off the project. Last rumor was Shane Salerno (Shaft) was in talks to write a script based on Goyer's drafts.



Release Date Note: Spring, 2003 was mentioned
as a possible release target at one point, when this was at Dimension Films, but with a new screenwriter signed on, it may be a few more years away yet.



Nicolas Cage says...
the GHOST RIDER movie adaptation is getting revved up again. From Sci Fi Wire: Nicolas Cage confirmed to SCI FI Wire that Columbia may settle on a script for a proposed Ghost Rider movie early in the new year. "They're going to be done with the script after the holidays, and I think the studio's very excited about it," Cage said in an interview. The project, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, originated at Dimension, but was put on hold, when Columbia picked it up. The new script will aim for a PG-13 rating. Original writer David Goyer's (Blade) draft was rejected for being too violent. Cage said that he was on board with that change. "The comic-book world is originally a world that was a fantasy place for children and younger people," he said. "By making it hard R, you'd alienate some of those younger people, who want to go to the movies and get lost in that world. So I can understand the argument for that." As an actor, comic fan Cage was drawn to the film because of the hero's philosophical dilemma. "I always thought it was interesting: the concept of a character who's in the dilemma of making a deal with a negative force and then trying to do something positive with it," he said.



From Yahoo Upcoming Movies:
(2/15/03) Marvel boss Avi Arad recently told the "Chicago Sun Times" that this film has a chance at getting a 2004 release. (2/26/03) There were rumors over the weekend that Kiefer Sutherland might have replaced Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze



Possible look for Ghost Rider!
The "Red Hair" will most likely be replaced with CGI flames. Click here to view!



Friday 11th April 2003:
Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson is busy coming up with a completely new draft for Ghost Rider. Apparently, David Goyer’s script has been scrapped. Johnson says he’s just sitting down to write the script now and he’s looking to incorporate more source material, from the comics, into the film. Johnson also confirmed filming will start next winter.



The project aims to go into production by year's end.
Nicolas Cage is attached to star in the project, which will see him play the title role of a former motorcycle stuntman who agrees to let his body become host to a vengeful spirit in exchange for the safety of his true love. The price he pays is that at night he is transformed into Ghost Rider, a bike-riding demon with a flaming skull. As his alter ego, he avenges souls tarnished by evil. Shane Salerno wrote the original draft of the Columbia script. Marvel Entertainment's Avi Arad and Crystal Sky's Steven Paul are producing the project with Johnson's producing partner Gary Foster. "We worked with Mark on Daredevil, which grossed over $100 million," Arad said. "Mark has been a pleasure and inspiration. We trust him with our material, and it's a delight to keep him within our universe." Ghost previously was set up at Dimension Films, with Goyer attached to direct. Columbia acquired it in turnaround nearly a year ago. Matt Tolmach, the studio's co-president of production, is overseeing the project.



Production is scheduled to start in late 2003
or early 2004 on a budget of $75 million.



"Still on track for early 2004,"
Gary Foster said. Foster's producing partner, Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil), will direct Ghost Rider. He is currently working on the screenplay. With the exception of Cage as the title character, no additional casting has taken place.



Variety Reports:
Foster and Johnson, who last made the Johnson-directed "Daredevil," have a spring production start at Sony on "Ghost Rider," with Nicolas Cage starring. They are working on a "Daredevil" follow-up to be built around the character of Elektra, played by "Alias" star Jennifer Garner. That film is being scripted by Raven Metzner and Stu Zicherman and will begin production during Garner's series hiatus next summer.



Ghost Rider is on Track
In an article talking about a new project for Daredevil director Mark Steven Johnson, Variety mentions that he will be doing Ghost Rider first.... "Daredevil" director Mark Steven Johnson has scared up an MGM pitch deal for "Succubus," a horror film with comic elements that Johnson will direct right after he completes "Ghost Rider" with Nicolas Cage. A "Succubus" scribe will be secured quickly, and Johnson and Foster will supervise development as Johnson directs Cage in the Columbia adaptation of the Marvel Comics character "Ghost Rider." Johnson will then move over and direct a film he said aspires to the playful tone of "An American Werewolf in London."



From IGN:Director Mark Steven Johnson is in the "final stages" of finishing his screenplay draft. As for the recent and persistent rumors that Oscar-winner Jon Voight might still be involved with the project – he was cast in a supporting role back when Ghost Rider was at Dimension Films – IGN FilmForce was advised that there have been no "substantive conversations" about casting Voight. That doesn't mean the door has been closed on the matter, however. Right now casting and shooting dates depends on Sony's reaction to Johnson's script. As soon as the studio gets the script then decisions on filming dates and the casting of supporting roles will be made. Nicolas Cage is "solid" to star as the title character. He will shoot The Weather Man before tackling Ghost Rider.



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