Mark Steven Johnson Answers Ghost Rider Questions
Posted on August 31, 2006
Mark Steven Johnson, the writer-director behind the upcoming Ghost Rider movie has answered some questions from fans on the official Ghoster Rider movie blog.
Q: What's the film making experience like when shooting a flick about a character that's loved by so many fans?The blog does a good job of introducing the characters to people unfamiliar with the Ghost Rider comic books. The blog includes entries and videos about Johnny Blaze (played by Nicolas Cage), Roxanne (played by Eva Mendes) and Blackheart (played by Wes Bentley). It's great to get newbies interested in the series but the hardest part of any comics-to-film transition is pleasing the fans of the series that have already read all the comics and are very familiar with the characters.MSJ: Well, the good news is that I AM one of those fans so I've done my best to pay tribute to the Marvel comic character. I grew up with Ghost Rider and just like some of you I've waited a long time to see a Ghost Rider movie. There's a lot of pressure to make good on that but it's pressure that I welcome. I'm hopeful that the movie will introduce the Ghost Rider to a whole new generation of fans while reminding the faithful why he's the coolest character in the Marvel Universe!
Q: When was Ghost Rider made? What comic book was he first seen in? What kind of weapons does he have?
MSJ: The first Ghost Rider was a western comic put out by Marvel back in 1949, then later re-imagined by writers Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich in 1967. The Ghost Rider as we know him today was first introduced back in 1972 in Marvel Spotlight Vol. 1 by Thomas and Friedrich. Ghost Rider's weapons are many: his superhuman strength, his heavy chain which he used like a whip, his ability to manipulate fire, his motorcycle, which can ride up buildings, and probably most importantly, the Penance Stare. The Penance Stare is a look that the Ghost Rider gives his victims which sears the victim's soul -- it doesn't kill, but it makes the sinner feel all of the sins he's ever committed to others. Death would be a welcome relief to anyone suffering the Ghost Rider's Penance Stare!