Talking to Comicus, Johnny Whitworth has discussed his role as Blackout in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance as well as letting slip a few interesting stories from his time one set. While many fans remain sceptical about this movie (which isn't technically a sequel to the 2007 film directed by Mark Steven Johnson) it seems that one thing which can be guaranteed at this point is some quality action set pieces courtesy of hands-on directors Neveldine/Taylor. The following interview is translated from Italian and more can be found by clicking on the link below.
On His Character In Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance: I play the villain: he is a mercenary named Ray Carrigan, who is a sociopath with anger issues and some homicide tendencies. But then, I also play the villain Blackout, like the double changes into it. And this Blackout is just a psychopath with supernatural powers and cool hair.
On Working With Directing Team Neveldine/Taylor: They aren’t like other film-makers. They genuinely put themselves in the movie; what I mean by that is that the camera is always moving, and Mark Neveldine would actually stand in front of a speeding car to get the shot. I have actually seen them doing it. They are very frenetic, and they break all the rules. Now I don’t know if that is because they don’t know the rules, or they choose to break them. I’m not sure! [laughs] They are very unique, and fun, and energetic.
I have worked with them on two other occasions too; I have to recall something from Ghost Rider. Like I said, I was in an agitated mood most of the time. There is a scene where Idris Elba’s character is like launched off the side of a mountain. Of course Idris doesn’t really do that, the stunt man does that. He’s basically on cables. Now, who is as well on cables is Mark Neveldine; he is on rollerblades and gets launched out holding a camera, and what I found funny, was that his pregnant wife was watching it. I felt bad for her! [laughs]
He is a dare devil, he enjoys that kind of stuff, and he literally puts himself at risk to get the shot. So there are very funny moments, but that moment with his wife watching him like that...I can’t imagine how she was doing.
On How Many Of His Own Stunts He Tackled In The Movie: I honestly, fortunately or unfortunately [laughs] had to do most of my own stunt. Mark sat me down after I agreed to be in the movie and said, “I want you to do most of your own stunt so we can get you in the camera; I want you to do every one that you feel comfortable doing.” I saw that as a challenge, and I get as much as the insurance company of the studio would let me do. But, that doesn’t take away from the stunt guys that were in the movie, because the stunt guys were fantastic. I got to do most of my own stunt, except for the really risky ones, like jumping from one car to another, I couldn’t do that. It takes a lot of training. Takes a lot of luck. My stunt guy actually hurt himself, and had to get another one when he did that. He was being thrown by Ghost Rider on another vehicle, and he mashed up his shoulders somehow, but he is fine now.
On Working With Nic Cage And The Rest Of The Cast: Nicholas [Cage] is one of the most giving and professional actors I have ever worked with, and he is definitely the most fearless. He has the ability to just follow his impulses, and his impulses are great as an actor, and so unique. Idris, what can I say about him: that guy is like a excellent crashman. He’s different from role to role, and again, he is inspiring as well. Ciarán Hins is a very soft-spoken man who plays the devil, and such a unique thing is that he is so powerful. And Violante [Placido], I know she is famous over there [in Italy]! She is such a beautiful spirit, and it comes across on screen, and I like being in her presence. She is such a unique talent, because she is very subtle, but she gets all the nuances in there. And this is just as far as it goes for Ghost Rider; it is such a big action movie, and I have not seen her work outside of that, but I can tell you beforehand that working with her is amazing, she is just beautiful and talented. And let’s not forget the little kid in the movie, Fergus Riordan: he is a really talented young kid. He is smart, funny and really sarcastic. I like him a lot!
STARRING:
Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
Johnny Whitworth as Roarke Carrigan/Blackout
Fergus Riordan as Danny Ketch
Ciarán Hinds as The Devil
Violante Placido as Nadya
Idris Elba as Moreau
Christopher Lambert as Methodius
RELEASE DATE: February 17th, 2012.
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