Nic Cage: National Treasure - Second Editions

Today's edition of "Nic Cage: National Treasure" is brought to you by the number 2.

First, we have the second trailer for Kick-Ass, one of many Nicolas Cage movies coming soon to a theater near you. Most of the films that Cage has made throughout his career (especially in the last decade) have been pretty ridiculous. This has potential to be ridiculous in a good way. Judge for yourself (via The Hollywood Reporter):

Second, I bring some news that is ridiculous in a bad way. We've known for a little while that Ghost Rider 2 was a possibility, but things are really getting underway. Collider recently interviewed producer Mike De Luca, and, thanks to some help from Ben Wood, I've found an MTV interview with writer (and possible director) David Goyer from November. Cage is attached to reprise his role as the titular character.

I should mention that I haven't actually subjected myself to the torture of the first Ghost Rider, but from things I've read and things people have told me, I know it's not good. Both De Luca and Goyer address that, and claim that the sequel, which has been given the full title Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, will be different from and better than the first movie. According to Goyer: "I hate to say it's more realistic, because he's got a flaming skull for a head, but it's a bit more stripped down and darker. It's definitely changing tone. What Casino Royale was to the Bond movies, hopefully this will be to Ghost Rider." I would like to share a rebuttal: First and foremost, "realistic" is not a word that should be associated with this at all. "Stripped down and darker" maybe, "realistic" definitely not. Second, please do not compare your crap movie (and likely crap sequel) to one of the most successful movie franchises in the history of cinema.

The only possible "good" news about this is that Mark Steven Johnson, who directed the original, and Eva Mendes, who co-starred in the original, will not be returning.

I'm sure that both Ben and I will have more to say about Kick-Ass and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance in upcoming "Nic Cage: National Treasure" posts.