By now we’re all aware, thanks to Mr. Ammon’s last article here, that a sequel to GHOST RIDER is now starting to form. Frankly, my initial feelings toward this notion weren’t very excited. The first RIDER was just so cheesy and uneventful… I’d even say unintentionally laughable. It’s such a great concept that I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t handled with a little more seriousness. Or more horror!
Well, it looks like ol’ G.R. himself, Nicholas Cage, agrees with me. Have a glance at what he recently said in an interview regarding whether or not he’ll be back as Johnny Blaze: “It has to have that action horror element and go deeper into that if it were to happen and [it should] keep us asking questions. Keep it interesting on a philosophical level.”
In other words, don’t hire back the original’s writer/director Mark Steven Johnson. I’m sorry, but no matter how hard Mr. Johnson tries, his brain still seems to be made of nothing but cheddar (anyone see his brilliant saga DAREDEVIL? Don’t!). Not to be all up in negative town, but I also say cast a new female lead. I just feel that Eva Mendes’s hotness FAR outweighs her acting ability.
Although GHOST RIDER 2 is not yet a definite, I feel that Cage’s affinity for the character will be the ultimate deciding factor in him returning to do it justice.