MSJ
Civilian
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2002
- Messages
- 62
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
Gday from Australia. Sorry I havent checked in for a while, but needless to say Ive been busy! Read some of your questions you were hoping to have answered the other night and wanted to respond personally.
Here we go...
There has been a great deal of concern over the rating of PG 13 for the film. As a result there have been many fans who feel that Ghost Rider will end up being a watered down kiddie film. It has been expressed that the only way to do the character justice is to go for an R rating where the film can be allowed to be as violent and gory as necessary.
Can you assure the fans that you will stay true to the character and keep the film as dark and violent as the comic book was? Are you planning on pushing the limits of a PG 13 rating as far as the violence and subject matter goes?
Yes. Ghost Rider is inherently a darker character and that will be reflected in the movie. However, if you look, there was actually very little R-rated violence in the original Ghost Rider, just darker themes. I think that gore too often replaces suspense in horror movies and takes you out of a movie. Jaws is one of my favorite films of all time, and its rated PG. Likewise, Lord of the Rings had plenty of kick ass action and violence for a PG-13 movie. Its really about being clever and pushing the boundaries. But as with all of these movies, it's really about love, isn't it? Whether you're talking about Terminator 2 or Lord of The Rings or Spider-man it's about love of a girl or love of a friend, etc. and if that doesn't work then all of the bad ass action and awesome effects mean nothing.
You have mentioned that you were a long time fan of the character. When did you first read Ghost Rider and are there any stories/plotlines that are your favorites?
Ive been reading since I was about 11 years old. Its interesting, because I love the original Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider, yet the most memorable story lines for me were later with Danny Ketch. I would probably have to say the J.B. origin story would be at the top, followed by the Blackheart and Scarecrow story lines of the D.K. years. Remember the one where Scarecrow had abducted people and chained them up along the walls of his hideout to feed off of their fear? That was pretty fantastic.
My first question is in regards to the design of the title character. Will we see ol' Flamehead (the real one) as we all know and love or is there a new rendition that we'll have to get used too? This includes the question of whether or not you'll be using ideas from both versions of Ghost Rider.
Im thinking red leather with horns would be interesting. Just kidding. This will be Ghost Rider from the comic -- dead on. As we all know, the comic doesnt exist at the moment (that will change...) so the reason this character has survived is because its the coolest looking character in the Marvel Universe.
Secondly; What about his bike? Any comments on what that will look like and be able to do?
Now that IS something to be improved upon. I never completely was sold on Johnny or Dannys Hellcycle designs. And I DO believe that the one weve come up with is the coolest looking thing Ive ever seen in my life. Im looking at a four foot long illuminated model of it right now as I write this. Go ahead. Hate me.
Last; Will Dan Ketch make an appearance in this film?
No. One of the problems with the history of the comic is that there was too much mythology, too damn confusing trying to tie everyone up (all the way back to Noble Kale!). I wanted to get rid of that and tell the best J.B. story possible.
Will you be making a sequel to Daredevil even if Ben Affleck decides not to return to the part?
Daredevil is an amazing character and bigger than any one actor. I would love to do another one. If the Elektra spin-off does well, I could certainly see that happening.
Will you be using prosthetics or all CGI for Ghost Rider and Mephisto?
It will be a combination of things to bring these characters to life. Whats most important is that we give G.R. weight, even when hes riding up a skyscraper or along a wall. He cant feel light, or like CGI, hes heavy metal. Like the Terminator. And he leaves total devastation and destruction in his path.
Will the scene of Gost Rider riding his bike up the side of a skyscraper and then jumping through a helicopter mentioned by Avi Arad in Empire Magazine be in the movie.
Its actually gotten way cooler than that! Im dying to share everything with you, but I cant. Sorry. But safe to say there are things in the film youve never seen before.
Hoew much of the action will Nic Cage need to be in costume for
Most of it. Nic wants it and so do I.
What powers will GR use, Pennance Stare, or Hellfire blasts? Will he utilize his chain at all?
All of that!
In the comics johnny blaze made a deal with satan himself to save roxanne simpsons life. later it was retconned to mephisto which will it be in the movie? also in another gr thread the question was brought up about the name johnny BLAZE being merely a stage name and not his real name will that be the case in the movie?
Actually, Johnny made the deal to save Crash Simpson in the comic. In our movie Johnny will make a deal with Mephistopheles (or Mephisto) who is originally from Faust and is considered to be either The Devil or A Devil depending on which mythology you subscribe to.
Johnny is only known as Johnny Blaze -- my belief is that it was probably a stage name created by his father, no different than Doug Danger or Maxx Air (both real life cycle jumpers) but we will never know him as anything other than Johnny Blaze in the movie.
I've heard Australia has some beautiful scenery and can make for some really elegant shots, especially at night when the sun has just gone down... so will there be any shots / scenes utilizing the background such as an old wrecked bar on the outskirts of town like the ones in old western movies... a run down cemetary passing by in the distance to give sort of an eerie feeling... So.. how will the background and surroundings be utilized in the effect / feeling of the film?
Youre dead on. Its gorgeous here, both in the city and in the outback. The feel of the movie is that of a supernatural western and it should be amazing. Were shooting where they shot Mad Max and I love the spare feel of that, the saloon in the outskirts of town...the run down cemetery -- wait, are you reading my script?
Ghost Rider is a demonic type character who inflicts vengeance on those who have done wrong to others.. how will you demonstrate this in the film, and what kind of effects will you use for the penance stare (I hope it makes an appearance in the film), and GR inflicting mental torture on his victims?
Working on that right now. Very cool and amazing stuff. It works best to show it as an abstract rather than as a literal recreation of someones sins. How have your sins made others feel? And how can that visually be revisited on you -- tenfold?
There have been a few polls on this message board about Ghost Rider's motorcycle, whether it is a Harley Davidson chopper look or a more modern sports bike, or the Ghost Rider bike that is often seen included with many of the action figures, with the front piece?
Johnnys bike is an old school, bad ass CHOPPER which transforms into the Hellcycle. I love toys and actions figures and this is honestly the coolest thing that Ive ever seen.
Jon Voight was, in my opinion, a great choice for the role of a puppet master satan type character who has pawns doing his dirty work (such was his role in "Enemy of the State"). What made you give Voight "the boot" and decide on another actor, whoever that may be?
I also think that Jon Voight is an amazing actor. But anything youve heard either way about his involvement in the movie is false. Jons a producer on the movie and I think people assumed he was in it as well. Wed be lucky to have him in the film, but I dont know if there is a part big enough for him right now.
I personally am I huge fan of Nic Cage and think he is perfect for the role, but what attributes do you think he has over a younger actor to portray Johnny Blaze. Many people on message boards I've visited have said "Nic Cage is too old" and "Johnny Depp" or "Keifer Sutherland" should've got the role... but what made Nic different.. and Blaze-like?
Nic is the man for this. He eats, breathes, and sleeps it. He even has a huge Ghost Rider flaming skull tatoo on his shoulder! I love the idea of playing Johnny as a kind of cowboy -- hes like the Man with No Name. Nic can be super badass and at the same time he has a great sense of humor and heart. And, of course, hes the master of doing the unexpected. All great qualities for both Johnny Blaze and the Ghost Rider.
I was a fan of DareDevil (of the comics, and the movie) and love the mystery feeling of the movie and how he was in the dark and the reflection of pain and misery throughout his life which made him the man he was seeking justice for the wrong doers. Do you think Ghost Rider is, in effect, a similar type character in the fact he is quite the mystery to many of his enemies and how he seeks the right in people, and punishes those who don't.
Its interesting, because although Ghost Rider seems like a darker character than Matt Murdock, is some ways, hes more hopeful because he has someone who loves him, someone to fight for. What made Matt such a tragic character is that he wasnt sure that he was doing the right thing, if he was in fact becoming no better than the Kingpin himself (and in the comics this year he literally became the Kingpin). Johnny has a clear battle in that hes fighting true evil -- right from the source. So in that way he has a clearer purpose and sense of self than Matt did.
And Biggun, are you reading my screenplay? Its eerie how close your ideas are to what I wrote in the script!!
Hope thats helpful!
MSJ
Here we go...
There has been a great deal of concern over the rating of PG 13 for the film. As a result there have been many fans who feel that Ghost Rider will end up being a watered down kiddie film. It has been expressed that the only way to do the character justice is to go for an R rating where the film can be allowed to be as violent and gory as necessary.
Can you assure the fans that you will stay true to the character and keep the film as dark and violent as the comic book was? Are you planning on pushing the limits of a PG 13 rating as far as the violence and subject matter goes?
Yes. Ghost Rider is inherently a darker character and that will be reflected in the movie. However, if you look, there was actually very little R-rated violence in the original Ghost Rider, just darker themes. I think that gore too often replaces suspense in horror movies and takes you out of a movie. Jaws is one of my favorite films of all time, and its rated PG. Likewise, Lord of the Rings had plenty of kick ass action and violence for a PG-13 movie. Its really about being clever and pushing the boundaries. But as with all of these movies, it's really about love, isn't it? Whether you're talking about Terminator 2 or Lord of The Rings or Spider-man it's about love of a girl or love of a friend, etc. and if that doesn't work then all of the bad ass action and awesome effects mean nothing.
You have mentioned that you were a long time fan of the character. When did you first read Ghost Rider and are there any stories/plotlines that are your favorites?
Ive been reading since I was about 11 years old. Its interesting, because I love the original Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider, yet the most memorable story lines for me were later with Danny Ketch. I would probably have to say the J.B. origin story would be at the top, followed by the Blackheart and Scarecrow story lines of the D.K. years. Remember the one where Scarecrow had abducted people and chained them up along the walls of his hideout to feed off of their fear? That was pretty fantastic.
My first question is in regards to the design of the title character. Will we see ol' Flamehead (the real one) as we all know and love or is there a new rendition that we'll have to get used too? This includes the question of whether or not you'll be using ideas from both versions of Ghost Rider.
Im thinking red leather with horns would be interesting. Just kidding. This will be Ghost Rider from the comic -- dead on. As we all know, the comic doesnt exist at the moment (that will change...) so the reason this character has survived is because its the coolest looking character in the Marvel Universe.
Secondly; What about his bike? Any comments on what that will look like and be able to do?
Now that IS something to be improved upon. I never completely was sold on Johnny or Dannys Hellcycle designs. And I DO believe that the one weve come up with is the coolest looking thing Ive ever seen in my life. Im looking at a four foot long illuminated model of it right now as I write this. Go ahead. Hate me.
Last; Will Dan Ketch make an appearance in this film?
No. One of the problems with the history of the comic is that there was too much mythology, too damn confusing trying to tie everyone up (all the way back to Noble Kale!). I wanted to get rid of that and tell the best J.B. story possible.
Will you be making a sequel to Daredevil even if Ben Affleck decides not to return to the part?
Daredevil is an amazing character and bigger than any one actor. I would love to do another one. If the Elektra spin-off does well, I could certainly see that happening.
Will you be using prosthetics or all CGI for Ghost Rider and Mephisto?
It will be a combination of things to bring these characters to life. Whats most important is that we give G.R. weight, even when hes riding up a skyscraper or along a wall. He cant feel light, or like CGI, hes heavy metal. Like the Terminator. And he leaves total devastation and destruction in his path.
Will the scene of Gost Rider riding his bike up the side of a skyscraper and then jumping through a helicopter mentioned by Avi Arad in Empire Magazine be in the movie.
Its actually gotten way cooler than that! Im dying to share everything with you, but I cant. Sorry. But safe to say there are things in the film youve never seen before.
Hoew much of the action will Nic Cage need to be in costume for
Most of it. Nic wants it and so do I.
What powers will GR use, Pennance Stare, or Hellfire blasts? Will he utilize his chain at all?
All of that!
In the comics johnny blaze made a deal with satan himself to save roxanne simpsons life. later it was retconned to mephisto which will it be in the movie? also in another gr thread the question was brought up about the name johnny BLAZE being merely a stage name and not his real name will that be the case in the movie?
Actually, Johnny made the deal to save Crash Simpson in the comic. In our movie Johnny will make a deal with Mephistopheles (or Mephisto) who is originally from Faust and is considered to be either The Devil or A Devil depending on which mythology you subscribe to.
Johnny is only known as Johnny Blaze -- my belief is that it was probably a stage name created by his father, no different than Doug Danger or Maxx Air (both real life cycle jumpers) but we will never know him as anything other than Johnny Blaze in the movie.
I've heard Australia has some beautiful scenery and can make for some really elegant shots, especially at night when the sun has just gone down... so will there be any shots / scenes utilizing the background such as an old wrecked bar on the outskirts of town like the ones in old western movies... a run down cemetary passing by in the distance to give sort of an eerie feeling... So.. how will the background and surroundings be utilized in the effect / feeling of the film?
Youre dead on. Its gorgeous here, both in the city and in the outback. The feel of the movie is that of a supernatural western and it should be amazing. Were shooting where they shot Mad Max and I love the spare feel of that, the saloon in the outskirts of town...the run down cemetery -- wait, are you reading my script?
Ghost Rider is a demonic type character who inflicts vengeance on those who have done wrong to others.. how will you demonstrate this in the film, and what kind of effects will you use for the penance stare (I hope it makes an appearance in the film), and GR inflicting mental torture on his victims?
Working on that right now. Very cool and amazing stuff. It works best to show it as an abstract rather than as a literal recreation of someones sins. How have your sins made others feel? And how can that visually be revisited on you -- tenfold?
There have been a few polls on this message board about Ghost Rider's motorcycle, whether it is a Harley Davidson chopper look or a more modern sports bike, or the Ghost Rider bike that is often seen included with many of the action figures, with the front piece?
Johnnys bike is an old school, bad ass CHOPPER which transforms into the Hellcycle. I love toys and actions figures and this is honestly the coolest thing that Ive ever seen.
Jon Voight was, in my opinion, a great choice for the role of a puppet master satan type character who has pawns doing his dirty work (such was his role in "Enemy of the State"). What made you give Voight "the boot" and decide on another actor, whoever that may be?
I also think that Jon Voight is an amazing actor. But anything youve heard either way about his involvement in the movie is false. Jons a producer on the movie and I think people assumed he was in it as well. Wed be lucky to have him in the film, but I dont know if there is a part big enough for him right now.
I personally am I huge fan of Nic Cage and think he is perfect for the role, but what attributes do you think he has over a younger actor to portray Johnny Blaze. Many people on message boards I've visited have said "Nic Cage is too old" and "Johnny Depp" or "Keifer Sutherland" should've got the role... but what made Nic different.. and Blaze-like?
Nic is the man for this. He eats, breathes, and sleeps it. He even has a huge Ghost Rider flaming skull tatoo on his shoulder! I love the idea of playing Johnny as a kind of cowboy -- hes like the Man with No Name. Nic can be super badass and at the same time he has a great sense of humor and heart. And, of course, hes the master of doing the unexpected. All great qualities for both Johnny Blaze and the Ghost Rider.
I was a fan of DareDevil (of the comics, and the movie) and love the mystery feeling of the movie and how he was in the dark and the reflection of pain and misery throughout his life which made him the man he was seeking justice for the wrong doers. Do you think Ghost Rider is, in effect, a similar type character in the fact he is quite the mystery to many of his enemies and how he seeks the right in people, and punishes those who don't.
Its interesting, because although Ghost Rider seems like a darker character than Matt Murdock, is some ways, hes more hopeful because he has someone who loves him, someone to fight for. What made Matt such a tragic character is that he wasnt sure that he was doing the right thing, if he was in fact becoming no better than the Kingpin himself (and in the comics this year he literally became the Kingpin). Johnny has a clear battle in that hes fighting true evil -- right from the source. So in that way he has a clearer purpose and sense of self than Matt did.
And Biggun, are you reading my screenplay? Its eerie how close your ideas are to what I wrote in the script!!
Hope thats helpful!
MSJ
