Onscreen History of Ghost Rider

With Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance now in theaters, it seems a good time to look at the flamy one's onscreen history. Even before the flame head Ghost Rider, there was a western style character with the same name later renamed Night Rider then Phantom Rider. But beginning in 1972, Ghost Rider was the fire headed alter ego of Johnny Blaze debuting in Marvel Spotlight #5. Apparently, this was "the most supernatural superhero of all."

Counting Down the Most Anticipated Superhero Shows of 2012 (11-19)

Although the sun is setting on 2011, one of the most prolific years ever for superhero shows, 2012 aims to raise the bar even higher. Not only are massive amounts of new shows planned for the upcoming year, but the A-listers are being tapped. While Wolverine and Superman, both originally planned for 2012 releases, scurried off to less crowded pastures, 2012 still promises to be plenty busy. And though any superhero show may at least offer a hint of promise, I can't be super excited for all of them. Here is the ranking of my anticipation for announced shows planned to debut in the upcoming year:

Another Ghost Rider Trailer Scorches up the Web

No, the trailer does not mae this movie look good at all and I would be incredibly surprised if it was a moneymaker, but Ghost Rider sure makes for a good looking trailer, the picture above notwithstanding.

Ghost Rider (2007) - Discount Review

Heroes: The Ghost Rider(s)

Villains: Mephisto AKA Mephistopheles and Blackheart

Diabolical Scheme: Blackheart wanted a contract for souls that for some reason would make him super powerful - even though he was already invulnerable. Mephisto wanted Ghost Rider to stop him.

Watch a Scene From Ghost Rider Sequel

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is the next scheduled live-action superhero movie, coming out February 2012. But this clip from  the Spike TV Scream Awards gives a good look at old flame head and his hell cycle.

Watch Ghost Rider Spew Fire From Every Orifice

The first trailer for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance has emerged and is full of flaming skulls, vomit, and urine. Nice to see they decided to class things up for the 2012 Nic Cage helmed Ghost Rider sequel / reboot. Still, looks like it could be fun.

Ghost Rider Sequel Marketing Heats Up with New Poster

With the first trailer for the Ghost Rider sequel, subtitled Spirit of Vengeance, just hours away, we have been treated with a new teaser poster thanks to ComingSoon.net.I thinks its odd that this is getting made. The first did fair but was panned which means that it is unlikely that this second attempt, call it a reboot or a sequel, will do any better. Having said that, the first film did offer some amazing visuals and I expect that to be true for this one as well. Anyways, with 2012 delivering The Avengers and Batman, expect this one to be quickly forgotten,

First Look at Charred Ghost Rider from Spirit of Vengeance

UPDATED with higher quality image:

First Look a Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance Posters

Comic con is almost upon up and one of the first fruits is a first look at 2012's Ghost Rider sequel / reboot, Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance. Thanks to Bleeding Cool we have spotted some posters for the movie, but unfortunately they don't really give anything about the movie away. Frankly, with the movie coming out in February its about time we get something substantive, this is a tad weak. With next Summer's big releases all having leaked trailers this week, I am suspecting a legit Ghost Rider trailer may be imminent. 

Ghost Rider Stares Down 2012 Date

According to ComingSoon.Net, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is a go and will be rolling into theaters on February 17, 2012 a similar release date as the original Flamehead film. 2012 looks to be another stuffed full year for superheroes with Ghost Rider leading the way for the Avengers, the Spider-Man Reboot, the sequel to The Dark Knight, and possibly Wolverine 2 or Fantastic Four. I would be surprised in Ghost Rider out earned any of those.

Ghost Rider 2 Shifts into High Gear

Hoping to catch the wave of publicity from The Sorcerer's Apprentice (sizing up to be Disney's latest bomb) Nicolas Cage has announced signing on to reprise his role as Ghost Rider in the sequel film subtitled Spirit of Vengeance.

According to scriptwriter David Goyer via MTV:

This story picks up eight years after the first film. You don't have to have seen the first film. It doesn't contradict anything that happened in the first film, but we're pretending that our audience hasn't seen the first film. It's as if you took that same character where things ended in the first film and then picked it up eight years later—he's just in a much darker, existential place.

Screenrant.com revealed a rumored plot in which Ghost Rider would go up against the demon biker gang seeking to resurrect the demon lord Zarathos. Sounds like a good time. The movie is supposed to start filming in November for a 2011/12 debut.

What to Expect from Upcoming Sequels, Prequels, and Reboots

As long as the profits keep rollin' in, no movie studio exec is ever going to say, "We have enough of those movies, lets try something new." And so it goes with superhero films, you will always expect to hear rumors of a sequel, regardless of the previous pictures performance. Here are the likely sequels, prequels, and reboots that we will see in the next 5 years.

Iron Man 3


Likelihood: Extreme

Why its likely: When it comes to superhero box office coinage, iron is the new gold standard. Iron Man 1 was huge, Iron Man 2 is hugely anticipated, and movie studios love trilogies. There is already talk of what is being saved for the 3rd Iron Man movie, so barring the apocalypse, its coming.

Spider-Man 5

Likelihood: High

Why its likely: Tobey Mcguire signed a two-movie extension on his contract making him available for a Spidey 5. Spidey 3 was a low point for the franchise, but if #4 manages a bounce back 5 will be in the bag. Actually, as long as #4 is even moderately successful, There will be a Spider-Man 5. Let's hope that there are still some decent villains around. I would prefer that they not scrape the bottom of the barrel to give us Spidey vs the Kangaroo.

X-Men Origins: Magneto

Likelihood: Below average

Why its not so likely: The best thing a Magneto movie would have going for it is Ian Mckellen who most likely would not be in this prequel. Besides, there are plenty of mutants out there, and the X-Men will probably always bring in an audience, but I think people would rather see more new mutants on screen than an origin of a villain set as a period piece, especially a holocaust drama. Sure, there is a script for it, so Fox has been mulling it over, but if they were certain about this movie, it would be further along in production. If X-Men Origins" Wolverine makes a billion dollars, that could help this one get a greenlight, then again, it would probably just assure a more bankable Wolverine Origins 2: The In Between Years.

X-Men: First Class

Likelihood: Better than average

Why its likely: This is seeming more and more like the direction Fox wants to take the X-Men franchise. It allows them to reuse popular mutants (sans the now solo Wolverine) without rebooting. They also seem keen on upping the teen factor (why not just call it 9-0-2-1-X) which would be easier to do with an X-Team origin than a Magneto one. ScreenRant.com just ran an interesting column speculating that this team would include Beast, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Jean Grey, and Storm though not Gambit. Also not likely to appear in the movie would be Ice-Man, Rogue, Angel, Colossus, Shadowcat, or Nightcrawler due to their roles in the previous X-Films. So who else might appear? Let me suggest Havok, Psylocke, Forge, or perhaps Polaris.


X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2 (or Wolverine Origins 2: Deadpool)

Likelihood: Better than average

Why its looking likely: Wolverine is going to make money and Fox never says "no" to more of an even marginally profitable series (see Elektra). The fact is, taking Wolverine to the Land of the Rising Sun just might inject some freshness into the franchise. As for Deadpool, I think people paid to see him in Wolverine-even if he wasnt really in it-and will probably pay to see him again considering he would probably actually be in a movie of his own. Hopefully they can come up with better titles than I did.

Hancock 2

Likelihood: High

Why its likely: Hancock made a lot of money and people love Will Smith. If he signs for an MiiiB (Men in Black 3) I can't see what would stop him from making a sequel to this.

Daredevil Reboot

Likelihood: So-So

Why its not so likely: There has been chatter lately of a new stab at Daredevil, and even though I probably enjoyed the first more than most, I don't sense a high demand for more. Sure, replacing Ben Affleck would be a start, but what else could get people excited for take 2? If it gets made, it will mainly be to renew Fox's license on the character so it doesn't revert back to Marvel Studios. What a noble cause. Maybe they will opt instead for Daredevil Origins: Bullseye.


Superman Reboot

Likelihood: Who knows

Why it should be likely: Its freaking Superman. Everyone knows who he is and loves the guy, if done right. And that's the problem. The folks at WB have no idea how to package him in a way that will be popular. Then again, his profit potential is too big to pass up and I am sure another Superman will get made eventually. Whatever happens, I expect the next Superman movie will have a lot more punching and a lot less moping.

Silver Surfer

Likelihood: Mild

Why it is not likely: If Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer had been a hit, this would be a no brainer, but I doubt the studio folk believe a spin-off of a mildly received, mildly profitable film would do too well. Furthermore, the most maligned aspect of Fan 4: 2 was the whole Galactus storm cloud SNAFU. An entire movie focused on a storm cloud probably belongs on the weather channel more than in theaters (or in Star Trek), and sadly, the Silver Surfer (the best aspect of Fan 4: 2) may have to wait a while before returning to the big screen.

Fantastic Four Reboot


Likelihood: Not for a while

Why it may be a while: I don't think many would argue that the Fantastic Four movies could have been better. Then again the characters have a big following and The Incredibles demonstrates the successful execution of a similar concept. Superman Returns takes a lot of flack for its lack of action, but Fan 4: 2s biggest action moment featured the Four versus a giant Ferris wheel. Fan 4: 1 had a major action sequence of the Four versus a fire truck. In both Dr. Doom was castrated. This series deserves a second chance, but we are going to have to wait for the bad taste to go away first.

Ghost Rider 2

Likelihood: Possible

Why it just may happen: Nicolas Cage will do anything (Next, Knowing, The Wicker Man, Ghost Rider 1) and he seems excited to return to Ghost Rider. The movie was panned and still performed OK, and there is just something about the visual of a flaming motorcycle ridden by a flaming skull. Ghost Rider also set records for a February opening weekend so there may be a financial justification for a sequel. I actually think that this could be a good avenue for some of the Marvel monsters like Morbius, and I would be curious about another installment if they kept the Cage to a minimum.

Spawn Reboot
Likelihood: Likely

Why it might happen: Creator Todd MacFarlane loves pimping his stuff and Spawn is pretty well known and the first film was a Hellboy sized success (and hey Hellboy got a sequel). It sounds like, depending on who he licenses the character to, he may get to direct. Not that its the best idea, but like Frank Miller (see the Spirit), these comic book artists can't resist the chance to direct a movie. The previous Spawn movie was not so great, but with that as the bar, makers of the reboot have to feel good about a better second attempt.

Well that's all folks, I think we are all caught up on what is and may be coming soon to a theater near you.