Archived News and Rumours:

May 20, 2005: Sony Pictures has brought online the official website for writer/director Mark Steven Johnson's Ghost Rider, starring Nicholas Cage, though there's not much there yet other than the previously-released cool picture of the Hell Cycle.

May 6, 2005: Some early on-set images of the filming of Ghost Rider have appeared on Superherohype. Check them out here!

April 21, 2005: Check out several on-set photos of the filming of Ghost Rider here. You'll have to scroll down a bot to see them all.

March 17, 2005: ComingSoon.net reports that Columbia Pictures has set a August 4, 2006 release date for Ghost Rider.

February 19, 2005: Peter Fonda is in talks and Donal Logue has joined the cast of the Nicholas Cage starrer Ghost Rider for Columbia Pictures. Based on the Marvel Comics property, Ghost Rider is an action-adventure about Johnny Blaze (Cage), a stunt motorcyclist who saves the world from evil spirits that cross over from beyond. Fonda will play the role of Mephistopheles, and Logue will play Mack, Johnny's chief mechanic and best friend who soups up Johnny's motorcycles for his stunts. -Thanks to 'Superherohype' for the heads up. In other related casting news, Eva Mendes will be playing the role of Roxanne Simpson, girlfriend to stunt motorcyclist Johhny Blaze. -Thanks to 'Dimitri' for the update. UPDATE: Peter Fonda has officially signed on.

February 13, 2005: Ghost Rider writer/director Mark Steven Johnson has posted another brief update on the film on the 'Superherhype' Message Boards, this time revealing who Sam Elliott will playing in the film: "C'mon. Sam Elliott? That long white hair? That cowboy attitude? He's Caretaker! And, yes, "Wallow" is in the movie but in name only. I always liked the name, but in the film he will be one of three demons that work for Blackheart."

February 11, 2005: Matt Long, who stars as Jack in 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, says The Hollywood Reporter. Long would play a young Johnny, who makes the deal with the devil. Also starring is Sam Elliott , who was last seen in Marvel's 'The Hulk, will play Johnny's dying father.

February 9, 2005: The Age reports that Daniel Frederiksen, Laurence Breuls, Matthew Wilkinson have signed on to the film: Former Stingers actor Daniel Frederiksen has, we hear, landed a major role co-starring with Nicholas Cage in big-budget action movie Ghost Rider. The Marvel Comic adaptation, which shoots in Melbourne from Monday, tells the story of a motorcyclist who makes a pact with dark forces, gets double-crossed and battles the bad guys to save the woman he loves. It stars Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, Wes Bentley as his nemesis, Blackheart. Eva Mendes also has a role. Networking hears that Frederiksen, who completed filming on Stingers in August, made it through an extensive two-month audition process and will play a water demon, Wallow, alongside two other Australians, Laurence Breuls (Black Rock, Marriage Acts) and Matthew Wilkinson (Mission Impossible II, Two Hands). -Thanks to 'Superherohype' for the heads up!

February 4, 2005: Fox News reports that Will Smith's "Hitch" co-star Eva Mendes has just signed to play a role in writer/director Mark Steven Johnson's Ghost Rider. Nicholas Cage plays the title role in the Columbia Pictures comic book adaptation, with Wes Bentley playing baddie Blackheart. The Marvel Comics property centers on a motorcyclist who makes a pact with dark forces, gets double-crossed and battles the bad guys to protect the woman (Mendes perhaps?) he loves. The movie is being produced by Michael De Luca, Avi Arad, Gary Foster and Ari Arad. Johnson rewrote a Shane Salerno script. Shooting begins this month in Australia.

January 21, 2005: Variety reports that "American Beauty" star Wes Bentley will play the villain Blackheart in Ghost Rider, the Columbia Pictures comic book adaptation that stars Nicholas Cage and is being directed by Mark Steven Johnson. The Marvel Comics property centers on a motorcyclist who makes a pact with dark forces, gets double-crossed and battles the bad guys to protect the woman he loves. The movie is being produced by Michael De Luca, Avi Arad, Gary Foster and Ari Arad. Johnson rewrote a Shane Salerno script. The trade adds that Bentley is a friend of Colin Farrell, who starred as Bullseye in Johnson's Daredevil. Farrell put the actor and helmer together for this new film.

January 17, 2005: Ghost Rider writer/director Mark Steven Johnson has left another cool update on the Superhero Hype! message boards: "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. Nicholas 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).
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!

October 28, 2004: Superhero Hype attended the "Melbourne On Screen" event at the ACMI in which "Ghost Rider" director Mark Steven Johnson and producers Bennett Walsh and Gary Foster talked about the anticipated film: "LA based company Imageworks was confirmed as the effects house for the production and the casting of Nicholas Cage was effectively confirmed, although apparently no official announcements have been made. 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. The story will feature the Johnny Blaze version of the Ghost Rider and will also feature Mephistopholes and Blackheart as villians, and was described as a "faustian" tale. It was confirmed that CG effects will be used for the Rider character (no surprise given the flaming skull). Costume-wise the look of the Rider will continue to develop over the course of the movie, so we'll get to see him in stunt-rider gear as well as the chains and spike look from the 90's comics version. The film will start filming in Melbourne on January 31 in locations around Melbourne and Broken Hill - including a stadium shoot - quite probably for one of Johnny Blaze's stunt shows. An 80 day shoot is planned."

October 26, 2004: The Herald Sun talked to Ghost Rider writer/director Mark Steven Johnson who revealed where the production will be filming starting January 31st. 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. Thanks to 'R95Mustang23' for the heads up!

October 18, 2004: Marvel CEO Avi Arad gives a 'Ghost Rider' update: "Jon Voight is out as an actor. He will not have a part. But, he has moved into a producing position and remains attached to the project". Thanks to 'DarkHorizons' for the news.

October 13, 2004: 'Superherohype' has revealed a few interesting details on the upcoming feature film adaptation of Marvel's 'Ghost Rider'. Filming, in Australia, will shoot through January 2005 to June 2005. Casting calls have gone out for Mephistophe (male, a demon, the most evil creature to ever walk the earthand) and Roxanne (age 20's, female, a natural beauty, a smart, likeable writer, vulnerable, gets caught in a bizarre and deadly game of vigilante justice).

September 19, 2004: Empire magazine talked to Nicholas Cage about playing Ghost Rider in writer/director Mark Steven Johnson's adaptation, which starts filming this January in Melbourne. Here's a clip: "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." Thanks to 'Superherohype.com' and 'Dimitri' for the heads up! In other news, Mark Steven Johnson revealed the look of Ghost Rider and its villains. He said on GR's appearance "Don't worry about the look of G.R. He's hard core classic, just like Tex drew him." And for the villains "The only truth to any of these rumors is that you can expect Blackheart and Mephistopheles to appear."

September 15, 2004: Ghost Rider is heading down under for filming: "At a press conference today to discuss the local entertainment industry, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks announced that the highly anticipated "Ghost Rider" will begin shooting at the Central City Studios next January, and will be the most expensive production yet filmed in Victoria. Shooting is set to begin in January for a Summer, 2006 release date." Thanks to 'Moviehole' for the news!

August 26, 2004: Jon Voight speaks to LatinoReview about the 'Ghost Rider' story: "I haven't seen the final [Ghost Rider] script yet, but if I can find a way into it I will be delighted to do that", Voight said. "We just have to see how the script turns out. Nicholas Cage is set." Voight said that rewrites may make the character he's up for too young for him, but nothing is certain yet. Voight could only say that his would be a devil-like character, but would not name names. "It's a very mysterious substance, that piece. It's a devil force that has enlisted this young man in his despair over losing his loved one. Then he finds that he's trapped in this aspect and then fights it. It's a very beautiful story really, beautiful love story as well." Thanks to 'CountingDown' for the heads up.

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: "Meanwhile, our trusty Ghost Rider sources informed us that 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. " Thanks to IGN FilmForce for the update.

October 29, 2003: The long-awaited adaptation of the Marvel comic "Ghost Rider" staring Nic Cage and Jon Voight has pushed back its start of shooting well into 2004 which means a release won't be on the cards til 2005 at the earliest. Thanks to DarkHorizons for this piece of info.

October 20, 2003: "The involvement of [Nicolas] Cage in 'The Weather Man' - as well as Mark Ruffalo's directorial debut 'Sympathy for Delicious,' which is scheduled to begin shooting in March - has many comic book fans wondering when they'll see him star in the film adaptation of 'Ghost Rider.' Producer Gary Foster told IGN Filmforce in early August that they were on track for an early 2004 start date, but - since that time - we have heard from several sources that the earliest start for the film would be mid-May or June at this point, due to Cage's other commitments." Thanks to FilmJerk and CountingDown for the story.

October 12, 2003: Check out the test footage done by the FX Company (Goat Productions). Thanks to RobertN for the heads up.

October 6, 2003: Remember that make-up shot of the Ghost Rider, way back in March (see March 16, 2003 post below), well Internapse.com clears things up: "Good News, I e-mailed Harlow FX, the company that did a "Make-Up Test" for Nic Cage for the upcoming Ghost Rider movie. Actually, the truth about the test is in the reply to the e-mail that I wrote.

This is the actual e-mail to Joel, an employee of Harlow FX.

Hello Scott,
Sorry for the delay in my response.
Sure on point #1, feel free to use the image w/a link to my site. As for the second question, Yes that is Nick. Nick wanted to be Ghost Rider, and since the film was delayed, I sculpted and applied the make-up to him for his Halloween party a few years back.
Best,
Joel

And there you have it, it was a costume! Thank God! Thanks to Scott @ Internapse.com

September 15, 2003: According to a recent article in Variety, director Mark Steven Johnson and producer Gary Foster are locked into a spring production date for 'Ghost Rider', starring Nicholas Cage.

August 5, 2003: There was some concern last week that Ghost Rider might not start filming until late next year after it was announced that Nicolas Cage would make The Weather Man his next picture after National Treasure. Ghost Rider been expected to be Cage's next project after the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced Treasure.

However, Ghost Rider producer Gary Foster has advised IGN FilmForce that fans have nothing to worry about. "We are still on track for early 2004," Foster said. "The Weather Man is a short shoot."

August 3, 2003: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nicholas Cage will not follow up his next film 'National Treasure' with Ghost Rider, but instead will go straight into a film called 'The Weather Man.' Looks like we won't be seeing GR as soon as we may have hoped... thanks to IGN Filmforce for the story!

August 1, 2003: CountingDown.com gives us an update from Marvel's Kevin Feige: "In a perfect world, we'd love to be shooting [Ghost Rider] early next year," says Marvel Studios Senior Vice President Kevin Feige. "Writer/director Mark Steven Johnson is halfway through his rewrite of the script and is coming up with spectacular stuff. Nicholas Cage is dying to do 'Ghost Rider.' He's doing a movie called 'National Treasure' as his next project, but after that he wants to do 'Ghost Rider.' We're committed to him and he's committed to the movie. Now it's just a matter of timing."

July 20, 2003: According to a Marvel insider, who shall not be named for the sake of their job, Nicolas Cage has not officially signed on for Ghost Rider but rather is being considered for the role. Other actors being considered are Kiefer Sutherland and a Canadian unknown Jeremy St-Onge.

June 27, 2003: Director Mark Steven Johnson was recently interviewed and had this to say about "Ghost Rider": "He's a big fan of the comic and thinks the premise lends itself to some really epic stuff. It's the classic battle between good and evil and he thinks the time is ripe for a Ghost Rider movie. He knows that there has been talk about a Ghost Rider movie for many years, but he thinks that only now it is technically possible to use the digital effects that will do the material justice. However, even though the movie will be big on action, the main focus will be on the love story between the main characters. He is halfway through writing the script". Johnson also revealed he will not be involved with writing the "Elektra" spin-off movie, since he is too busy with "Ghost Rider", but he will be active as a producer in any case.

June 5, 2003: Avi Arad announced yesterday, at the Hulk press junket, that Ghost Rider will begin filming at the end of the year!

May 13, 2003: Jon Voight told SCI FI Wire that he is in talks to play a villain in Ghost Rider, the upcoming film adaptation of the Marvel Comics series. "If you're going to play a strong character in these pieces, and you're not the leading man, you're usually going to get cast in the [villain's] role," Voight said in an interview. Voight declined to say which of the comic series' many villains he will play.

April 9, 2003: Variety reports that Mark Steven Johnson will direct Ghost Rider for Columbia Pictures (Spider-Man), with Nicolas Cage set to star. The Daredevil director will rewrite the script by Shane Salerno.

Movie is an adaptation of the Marvel Comics property that centers on a motorcyclist who inadvertently makes a pact with dark forces and must fight against them in order to protect the woman he loves. Pic has been greenlit for a start in late '03 or early '04. Producing are Johnson's partner in Horseshoe Bay Prods., Gary Foster, with Marvel principal Avi Arad and Crystal Sky's Steven Paul. Supervised by production co-president Matt Tolmach, Col views the action- and FX-heavy "Ghost Rider" as the first in a potential franchise.

March 16, 2003: I didn't want to add this to the site because I thought it looks really bad. Mind you this is probably just a preliminary shot of the Ghost Rider before the FX comes into play, but still it looks like an evil clown. Whether or not this is actually Nicolas Cage behind the mask is yet to be determined:

February 22, 2003: Ain't It Cool News reported yesterday that Marvel Entertainment honcho Avi Arad had advised them that 24 star Kiefer Sutherland will likely star soon in a film adaptation of a Marvel Comic. IGN FilmForce looked into the matter and heard a RUMOR that Sutherland might be in the running for the lead role of "Johnny Blaze" in Ghost Rider. Calls to Sutherland's agent at the William Morris Agency were referred to his publicist, Annette Wolf, who failed to respond to IGN FilmForce's inquiry. A source close to Marvel Entertainment advised us, however, that "nobody has been cast in Ghost Rider. I've always heard that Nic Cage was the frontrunner."

December 11, 2002: 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."

May 22, 2002: Variety reports that Sony Pictures is in talks to pick up all rights to the comic adaptation currently in the hands of Dimension Films. Shane Salerno ("Shaft") is in talks to pen a screenplay based on the comic property.