Nic Cage Says New 'Ghost Rider' Is No Sequel

We haven't talked much about Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance here lately, so let's get caught up on what ol' flame skull has in store when he hits the screen on February 17 (USA, UK). I saw where Nicolas Cage had a sit down with Total Film last week and apparently wanted to distance this movie from 2007's Ghost Rider. I thought the first movie did a decent job of introducing the character and wasn't as awful as some thought, even though Cage's hair was a bit distracting. Anyway, I think Nic wants you to put that movie out of your head when you see this latest offering.

“I don’t see this as a sequel at all,” he told us (Total Film). “I see this as Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance. The other movie was Ghost Rider. This movie is Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance.”

 "Johnny Blaze is in a much different place in this movie,” explains Cage. “It’s a much edgier, almost cynical interpretation compared to the first Ghost Rider. Because in that movie, Johnny was trying to keep everything at bay, to keep things from erupting.”

Read more at Total Film 

The impressive trailer for the new Ghost Rider raised expectations from fans who wanted to see a more intense, edgier film than the first outing. I have to admit, from the looks of it, Spirit of Vengeance might actually kick some major ass this time around. The chase scenes almost have a Road Warrior vibe going on and the supporting cast that Cage has around him is top notch, including Thor's Idris Elba. Not only that, David S. Goyer wrote the screenplay, and he was involved in the writing of all three of Christopher Nolan's Batman movies.

Here's my last bit of Ghost Rider info to pass along today - there's some speculation that this movie will be sort of a passing of the torch - pun intended. We know that the plot involves Johnny Blaze (Cage) trying to save a boy named Danny Ketch from being sacrificed in some sort of Satanic ritual. Now, it just so happens that in the comic book source material, there was a second Ghost Rider after Blaze - and his name? Daniel Ketch. The film makers might have just used that name as an Easter egg for long-time fans or it might be a hint that the next Ghost Rider movie will begin a new chapter with a new Rider. For a detailed article on the whole Danny Ketch angle, checkout ScreenRant. While you're waiting for the flick to open next month, have a look at the trailer again and let me know what you think.