The Ghost Rider movies. Two films which prove, if anything, that Nicolas Cage is a treasure and we absolutely don't deserve him.
But starring the walking, talking cartoon that is Mr. Cage isn't enough to make them great films, unfortunately.
- Ghost Rider 2007 is unironically a lot of fun. It embraces its campy, cheesy premise and the cast all bite into the material with plenty of enthusiasm. But the thin plot and missed opportunities to really dip into the Ghost Rider mythology hold it back.
- Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance can be a guilty pleasure courtesy of Nicolas Cage's absolutely unhinged performance and the more edgy, violent portrayal of the Rider. But just about everything else contributes to a painfully obnoxious slog.
So, it goes without saying there's a lot of room for improvement. Taking a look at a series of rewrites I've drafted which incorporate 2000s-era Marvel films into an early MCU, let's see what can be done for the Spirit of Vengeance.
Go ahead and take a look at the previous posts for context before moving forward.
****
The Cast
First things first, I thought I'd address something regarding the casting of the films.
I like Nicolas Cage. I think he did well with the material he was given, even if said material wasn't always up to snuff. However, there are actors I think could have handled the role of Johnny Blaze just as well as he did, if not better.
So, here's how I'll put it. In the event that Cage played the character and got the right material, cool. But if he didn't, here are two alternatives.
Between his knack for brutal, brooding antiheroes and his affinity for motorcycles, it stands to reason Reedus could carry the role of the tormented cyclist Johnny Blaze. Both during his more sympathetic, human moments, and during his transformation into the fiery punisher of the damned.
Between Red Hood, Batman, and Soldier Boy, Ackles is no stranger to the comic book medium. Not only does he have years of experience playing angsty leading men entangled in the affairs of demons and monsters, Ackles's real talent as a performer would definitely endear audiences to Johnny Blaze's plight.
In the event either of these castings took, Cage could still portray the spirit Zarathos (the demon who comprises Ghost Rider's other half). The appearance of Ghost Rider himself could perhaps correspond to what we saw in the movies, but in reverse.
- Starts off looking darker and more gruesome.
- Assumes a more neat and "classic" look once Johnny and Zarathos become truly one.
Other casting changes and additions include
Christopher Lambert as Deacon
Ciarán Hinds as Marduk Kurios
Peter Mensah as Moreau / Zadkiel
Jake Abel as Daimon Helstrom
Isabel Lucas as Ana Helstrom
****
The Films
Jumping off the framework of the two films we have, and drawing more from the comics, the Ghost Rider series would proceed as follows.
GHOST RIDER
2007
In general, the plot of the film would follow that of the movie we saw.
But the overall tone, mythology and character dynamics would change.
For starters, take that PG-13 rating and bump it up to an R. The Ghost Rider mythos is dark, and I think a proper movie wouldn't pull its punches. Make Ghost Rider as much a horror movie as it's a supernatural action romp.
- More frightening depictions of Hell and its demons.
- Blackheart goes about in a human shape, but transforms into his true demonic form when he gains the Contract of San Venganza.
- Mephisto's human appearance has a little more in common with his comics counterpart. A red-and-black suit, rusty red hair, and fiery eyes when his powers are in use.
- Johnny Blaze's self-destructive life being portrayed as brutally honest as possible. Frequent injuries, alcoholism, and vivid nightmares of the infernal realms he's now tied to.
- No-holds-barred violence on the part of the Ghost Rider and his enemies. Show just how terrifyingly powerful he can be.
The characters, in turn, have more time to be fleshed out.
- Perhaps Roxanne knows all along that Johnny sold his soul to Mephisto. Her point of contention with Johnny is that he won't reach out for help, seemingly determined to bear his burden alone.
- Johnny Blaze has more than one "face to face" conversation with the demon lord Zarathos, a spirit of vengeance bound to him to form the Ghost Rider.
- Much like the dynamic between Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote, Zarathos frequently encourages Johnny to inflict violent punishment on any sinners in his wake.
- The pair are able to find common ground in making a stand against the Hell Lords, but it's clear they won't ever truly be friends
The conflict over the Contract of San Venganza plays out, with Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider hunting Blackheart and various minions. The final battle would likely be more dramatic, epic, with Carter Slade taking part in the fight against Blackheart and surrendering his portion of the Ghost Rider's power to help defeat the demon.
The movie ends very much as we saw, save for Roxanne and Johnny choosing to stick it out no matter what. Carter Slade rides into the distance, fading away as the new Ghost Rider's journey begins.
GHOST RIDER: SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE
2012
A more drastic departure, centered on Ghost Rider attempting to protect the young half-demon vigilantes Daimon and Ana Helstrom from the forces of Hell.
By now, Johnny and Zarathos has worked out a steady arrangement and have clear boundaries set in confronting evil. But the line between punishment and protection gets blurry when they meet the Helstroms. Two runaways with demonic heritage, who've tried to make the most of their "gift" and dispatch evil where they find it.
Eventually, Ghost Rider is forced to become their defender when two parties converge on the twins with their own ends.
- The agents of the Angel of Vengeance, Zadkiel. Led by the sorcerous cult leader Deacon, they wish to destroy the Helstroms and prevent them from falling into the hands of their father.
- Said father is Marduk Kurios, a Hell Lord. Having sired the Helstrom children, he is currently hunting them with the purpose of corrupting them and using their power to unleash a demonic invasion of Earth. His hunt is led by another half-demon named Ray Carrigan, AKA Blackout.
Ghost Rider is caught in the middle of the conspiracy, but receives aid from a priestly demon hunter named Moreau. Eventually, as danger closes in, Moreau reveals he is in fact a repentant Zadkiel. Zarathos recognizes him, having once been an angel himself before they both fell from grace.
Working together with Ghost Rider, he dispatches his renegade cultists. Revealing himself to have a fallen angel form much like Zarathos, but marked by blue flames.
Ghost Rider slaughters his way through Blackout and Marduk's other followers until he faces down the demon lord himself. After a destructive battle, Ghost Rider binds Marduk and leaves him to the mercy of his children, who send him back to Hell.
Having performed a deed in service to mankind, Zadkiel ascends to Heaven. Johnny Blaze parts ways with the Helstroms and wishes them both well, returning to Roxanne in their Houston home.
****
So, that's the general flow of the plot. Now, here's various little easter eggs and lore bits that would tie the series into a larger Marvel universe.
1: Hell and the Dream Dimension
In the process of mastering his bond with Zarathos, Johnny performs a ritual in which he traverses the Astral Plane and journeys past Hell, into the borders of the Dream Dimension.
Hints are provided of various cosmic entities, including the sinister Nightmare.
2: Sorcerers
Deacon is implied to be a former acolyte of the Masters of the Mystic Arts, before he fell into fanaticism.
****
That about does it for my writeup on Ghost Rider. Hope you like it!
Apologies for the delay on my Wonder Woman post. I'll try to have it done ASAP.
See you next time, when I tackle the solo films/spinoffs on our favorite clawed mutant.
No comments:
Post a Comment