Ghost Rider Sequel to be Darker

Although the first Ghost Rider film failed to impress fans and critics, it appears that Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance will be darker and closer to the legacy of the Marvel source material, according to the writer/director team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor at the New York Comic-Con.

The Los Angeles Times reports that fans of Ghost Rider will see a different Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze in the sequel called Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The Ghost Rider sequel writing and directing team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor addressed the sequel over the weekend at the 2011 New York Comic-Con.

While at New York Comic-Con, Neveldine and Taylor presented new footage of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and promised fans that their take on the Marvel property will be darker and more in line with the Johnny Blaze character from the comic books.

Neveldine revealed that their take on Johnny Blaze will feature Nicolas Cage as a meaner, darker version of the hero from hell who will not wear tights and save kittens. “He will light the cat on fire though,” said Mark Neveldine. “And that’s important.” The crowd at Comic-Con also learned that Nicolas Cage will ditch the leather jacket from the previous Ghost Rider film since both Neveldine and Taylor thought it was too 80s. “It will be more like a horror film than an episode of ‘Cops,’” added Neveldine.

Ahead of the February 14, 2012 release of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, check out the official trailer below: