Neveldine and Taylor ride crazy with Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Directing duo Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (or Neveldine/Taylor, as they’re commonly referred), the team behind next month’s GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE have dropped some details on the overall tone of the film and how it fits in with the lackluster original. In an interview with Comic Book Resources, the duo shared this when asked how the first film relates to the second:

“…it doesn’t really relate at all! It’s not really a sequel. It’s more like a reboot. It stands on its own, except that it still has Nic (Cage), so it’s kind of like a prequel.”

Check out the below video for a behind-the-scenes look at Neveldine/Taylor’s shooting style as well as some stunt footage:

VIDEO REMOVED AT THE REQUEST OF THE STUDIO

Nicolas Cage confirmed as much in an interview with Superhero Hype, saying, “…I don’t see it as a sequel at all. The other movie was “Ghost Rider.” This is “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.” I see it as a different movie.” 

He went on to explain:

“I feel that Mark (Steven Johnson) and I got up to something really interesting with the first movie and I’m very happy with the first movie, as I know he is and even Brian (Taylor) likes the first movie, but it really ends there. It’s a completely different experience,” he says.

“For me, John Blaze, his head is already ignited so when you meet him, he’s in a much different place in this movie than in the other movie. It’s almost a completely different character in many ways, a much edgier, almost cynical interpretation than the original “Ghost Rider” movie. In that movie, John was trying to keep everything at bay, so he was trying to almost pacify himself with these kind of absurd habits that he was forming to keep things from erupting. In this one, he’s already been living in isolation in Romania. When you meet him, he’s a much different kind of persona.”

When further asked about the differences between the two films, Cage explained:

“I don’t want to compare too much between the two movies, but I will say that this movie is going to have some genuinely scary and wild moments that are going to make you wonder what you just saw. Moments that are for lack of a better word: “freaky,” where you’re going to be like, “Did I just see that happen?” Hopefully it will mess with your mind, which is what I’m excited about with this movie.”

I was bored to tears by the first GHOST RIDER and was genuinely shocked that they were making a sequel when I first heard about it.  However, the absolute bat-shit crazy shooting style of directors Neveldine/Taylor has me excited for this reboot sequel.  I love the CRANK films and even dig GAMER for what it is (which, coincidentally, should initiate a new Oscar category, BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE’S ASS ON FILM, in which Amber Valetta would win).  

I mean, ultimately, the film has nothing to lose and everything to gain.  GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE pisses fire on February 17th, 2012 in 3D.  That could be painful.