Nicolas Cage's first go around as the title character in 'Ghost Rider' was released in 2007 with very poor critical backlash. It was after that many fans became dead set on making sure either a sequel never gets made or a much needed reboot would be done. Well, unfortunately for many, Sony has decided to do a sequel to 'Ghost Rider' instead.
Interestingly, despite Cage always saying how he was a Ghost Rider fan and had wanted to reprise his role as Johnny Blaze, he had not signed on to the role until mid-July 2010. Not shocking here, the reason is simple - money.
Now Sony needed to get some kind of 'Ghost Rider' film off the ground before November 14, 2010, unless they wanted the rights to the character to be reverted to Marvel Studios. So of course Sony had to start rushing to get a script, directors and some cast members by that date.
A 'Ghost Rider' script David S. Goyer had written years in advance was chosen to be the story of the sequel, with a few little changes to fit into the original film's continuity. Then recentley news broke Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, the men behind the two 'Crank' movies, would helm the project.
Naturally, the next step was to get someone to play Johnny Blaze in the film, and rather then going through the hassle of finding a new actor for the role they decided to offer Nicolas Cage $5 million to reprise the role, but Cage scoffed at Sony's paltry offer.
As we all know, Nic Cage has been working to pay off his IRS debts and rebuild his fortunes which means he will do almost any movie he is offered these days but will only do it for a good amount of money. So due to this Sony decided to instead offer him $7 million, which Cage agreed with to play Ghost Rider for a second time.
'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance' will be released at an unknown time but will be directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, with Nicolas Cage reprising his role of Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider.