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© (c) 20th Century Fox
Avi Arad & Mark Steven Johnson on the set of DAREDEVIL
MOVIE::
Exclusive Interview: GHOST RIDER DIRECTOR MARK STEVEN JOHNSON TALKS SEQUELS & HIS PREACHER SERIES
The man who ruled the box office last weekend is already working on another comic book project
By SEAN ELLIOTT, Senior Editor
Published 2/23/2007
MARK STEVEN JOHNSON: The biggest different between these two movies is the visual effects. Ghost Rider really succeeds or fails on how well you pull off the flaming skull and that was something that was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Specifically, the CGI fire. Daredevil only has a handful of CGI character shots, but for the most part it was an actor in a costume. Everytime you see the Ghost Rider it's a visual effect, and I had to make sure that we got it right for the movie to work at all.
iF: Both characters have a huge cult following, but was their more leeway in adapting GHOST RIDER to the screen since there have been different origin stories for him?
JOHNSON: Yes. There's a certain amount of freedom when you're dealing with a character that isn't as widely established. Ghost Rider is a terrific concept, and an amazing looking character, but he's come and gone over the years, been in and out of circulation, and has had his identity changed several times. That really gave me the freedom to take what I thought was the best of each Ghost Rider story: the Faust-like origin of the Johnny Blaze storyline, and the look and some of the supporting characters, of the Danny Ketch era.
iF: Creating digital fire is one of the hardest things to do, what was the breakthrough that finally happened on GHOST RIDER that made everyone realize - this is going to work?
JOHNSON: It was really just having Kevin Mack and the guys at SPI not giving up. They created new fluid simulation programs that haven't been used before. It was really a matter of all of us knowing that we hadn't cracked it yet, and going back to drawing board again and again until we felt like the fire had become not just realistic -- but an extension of the Ghost Rider's personality.
iF: One of the keys to the film's success is Nicolas Cage's performance - how much of it was scripted and how much of it came the script and the comics?
JOHNSON: Nic brings a really unique quality to everything he does. Some might say it's "quirky" but I think it's just honest. People are unusual. Nic is great at looking at things in a fresh way. I wrote the character of Johnny as a bit of a dark, tortured loner. Nic had a different way to go and believed that Johnny wouldn't be drinking Jack Daniels and inviting the demons in. Instead, he'd be trying to keep them at bay and keep himself calm, centered, so that nothing bad will happen to him. It really made Johnny a much more interesting (and funny) character.
JOHNSON: Yeah. I love these movies. I love letting my imagination go wild. But I don't like taking 3 years to finish a movie! I started out writing comedy with the Grumpy Old Men moves and I miss that. All movies are stressful, but comic book movies are doubly so because you can never please everyone. The fans of this genre have their own version of the movie in their head and you're always going to end up disappointing someone. There's a lot of pressure unique to this genre.
iF: Are there any other superheroes or comic books you'd like to tackle?
JOHNSON: I'm just trying to finish the pilot for Preacher at the moment. It's for HBO. It's VERY faithful to the comic, nearly exact. I think if it went, it would be one of the most amazing shows ever on television.
iF: Nicolas Cage says he would love to produce SHE-HULK for Eva Mendes, would that be something you would be involved in too?
JOHNSON: No. I think he may have been joking around about that. But I'd be first in line to see it if it
happened!
iF: Now that GHOST RIDER is a success, does a sequel look like a possibility and
would you be involved?
JOHNSON: I'm really happy about the success of GHOST RIDER. I really just wanted to make something fun and different, something that didn't take itself too seriously. It's a really weird movie and we didn't know if anybody would even show up in the first place. So the fact that we're breaking records, not just in the U.S., but also around the world, is a real kick. I'd love to do another one. But that's really up to Sony now. I'd like to see what Mephisto has in store for Johnny down the road. Safe to say, that things are going to get worse for Johnny before they get better!
Reader Comments
Sunny from Scotland sez....
MSJ talks the talk when it comes to 'Preacher'. He has the right idea (1 hour per single issue is good) and the right aproach also. I also understand to some degree the 'battles' that a director can have with 'the studio' for artistic control (I.E. Making the 'right' choices), I will give him the benefit of the doupt on this point. Working with HBO may also allow him to make the 'right' choices too. But I do worry that even if 'Preacher' is made 100% perfectly, will the 'religous-powers' in America 'allow' the series to run its natural course. Will companys pay to advertise in a programs adverts breaks if the content includes the disabled relative of the divine one? I personally loved Preacher BECAUSE it broke all the rules of 'what you can get away with' in film & tv storytelling (What a great comic SHOULD do). Censorship and religion may prove more of an issue than the strenths of MSJ. Though I hope not.
5/16/2007 5:56:47 PM
Chris from America sez....
This movie rocked. fightscenes could of been better but it still totally rocked. Im a fan of MSJ so you nerds an shove it.
2/25/2007 5:16:09 PM
Misha from Kansas sez....
I'm sad to see a comic film so dead on arrival. The CGI was fine and the look of GR was good, but the acting from NC was wooden at best, or in the areas of transformation, bordering at the level one would expect at a local Halloween spook house production. Bleh. Everyone's lines were trite and had been heard in a million movies before. It looked like no one was putting any effort whatsoever into actually ACTING, excepting the young Johnny Blaze, and even that had it's issues. In short, I was bored throughout most of the film, except for the motorcycle sequence, which of course had been pre-exposed heavily during movie trailers. Special effects are nice and all, but if you cant back it up with decent writing, directing, and acting, please don't attempt converting a comic to film again, please.
2/25/2007 4:19:27 PM
tony from maine sez....
I liked the movie some what as there were screw ups such as characters that are from dan ketch's ghost rider series not the johnny blaze series. as well as johnny blaze's ghost rider was the spirit zaratho's who did not use pennance stare to punish his victims he instead inveloped the with hell fire from his hands.
2/25/2007 10:20:07 AM
BobO from Michigan sez....
Please deliver more action in the sequel. The tone of the movie was fine but there's no excuse for the lack of meaningful action sequences. The cast and the special effects are remarkable so hopefully they can get it right with movie number two.
2/24/2007 9:09:22 PM
Sandy from Tempe, AZ sez....
I'm not going to say he shouldn't make a sequel because obviously there are people out there who will pay to see this joker's movies (luckily I din't pay to see DD or GR) I even saw Ghostrider in the right frame of mind, I went hoping the movie would be so awful that it would be awesome, but it skipped right past that and went to just plain terrible. I just hope he doesn't kill Preacher too.
2/24/2007 9:35:21 AM
HeroStew.com from Earth sez....
I liked GR alot. It was nice to see a comic movie that was FUN!!!! I get tired of Peter Parkers constant wimpering. I hope a sequal is soon with Cage back in the role.
2/24/2007 9:11:04 AM
Lee from Virginia sez....
Ghost Rider was great and MSJ did a good job. It had some problems but I think the fact that every frame that had GR in it took a lot of work is more to blame for lack of action then MSJ's direction. Now that the origin is done and the cgi established, I think a sequel will be much better and I hope MSJ is directing the sequel as well, I thought he did a good job with what he had to work with.
2/24/2007 8:03:50 AM
Yashar from Canada sez....
DareDevil (Director's cut) was a super film and Ghost Rider was really good and Mark SJ SHOULD make Preacher. And the comic fans loved the film, just go to comic book forums and ask Ghost Rider fans. If you didn't like the movie, its your opinion but it doesnt mean he is a bad director, you maybe a bad viewer or didn't watch the film in the right mood.
2/24/2007 8:01:03 AM
Mark from Macomb,Mi sez....
Bring on the sequel !!! Ghost Rider was great, It`s movie as
in ment to entertain. MSJ may have fell with Daredevil ,but He made it up with Ghost Rider , as long as Nic cage is in it ,I`ll see it. I hope he does well with the preacher series .
2/23/2007 4:27:32 PM
Matches from L.A. sez....
So...the same guy who turned the operatic saga of Daredevil into a film which when viewed on mute looks like a male prostitute turf war was already given one second chance with comic book film adaptation, he then took the modern day Faust which had all the elements to match T2 in hardcore action and turned it into a pointless children's film (The fact that parents feel fine taking their little children to see this movie speaks volumes about the sheer lack of understanding Mark Steven Johnson has for the subject matter) and now after making a film about the devils bounty hunter which pulled it's punches in every conceivable way he'll be working on Preacher...good plan.
2/23/2007 2:45:42 PM
shane from cali sez....
MSJ can be compared with Uwe Boll and his video game adapted movies, bloodrayne, house of the dead, etc... he ruins anything he tries to make. I can now say the same about Mark Steven Johnson. He can't make a good comic book movie to save his life. Please sir, just stop.
2/23/2007 12:20:34 PM
Nico from Rochester, NY sez....
Man what is wrong with everyone in this world. Yes, he screwed up Daredevil, Ill give you that. But in my opinion, I thought it was good, but Mark buddy, the fights sucked what the hell was that about.
Give this guy a break, he is just trying to make a living like everyone else in the world. You may be thinking that Im a suck up but Im not. You people honestly dont know what production and getting the script right is like, Ive been through it and it was hell but it gave me an experience of what to expect in life when Im making films.
If you want to be pissed off at someone, be pissed off at Uwe Boll for making the worst versions of video game movies ever. If I ever see him in person, Ill throw a pie at his face. He should be banned from making films period. But give MSJ a break guys.
2/23/2007 10:51:35 AM
Tyeron from Texas sez....
I thought ghostrider was fun.. but i wouldn't go right out and buy the DVD.. i wouldn't even recomend it to anyone who doesn't read comics.. it'll come on TV and i would prolly watch it.. but over all this was a very lack luster film that was fun the first time but i can't see it being a good sequel. AND DEAR GOD PLEASE LET SOMEONE ELSE TAKE THE REIGNS OF PREACHER. I care about preacher more than ghostrider and wish they could get someone better than this guy. He helped screw up DD and now ghostrider so i'm pretty sure a change of comic style isn't going to help him at all. Preacher is nothing like DD or Ghostrider, its quite a bit more serious even though garth ennis has the biting dry humor in there. I'm very worried about preacher now.
2/23/2007 8:52:22 AM
Robin from Yorkshire sez....
Paul from New Hampshire, at the end of the day (or bottom line) the measure of whether GR is 'successful' will be whether it makes money at the box office (which it is doing) not how many comic book fans think it is a good GR movie. It can be the shittest film ever, but if it makes money, Hollywood will love it.
2/23/2007 8:48:41 AM
Ash from Long Island, NY sez....
"Please, if there is a God, let Him stop this man from having anything to do with Preacher"
I find this statement hilarious considering the actual storyline and subject matter involved in the Preacher series. I dont think god is gonna help you here ;)
2/23/2007 8:19:46 AM
Mr. Majestyk from Brooklyn, NY sez....
Please, if there is a God, let Him stop this man from having anything to do with Preacher, my favorite comic ever. I don't give a damn about Ghost Rider, but what he did to Daredevil was unconscionable. Please don't let the same thing happen to Preacher.
2/23/2007 8:04:42 AM
Paul from New Hampshire sez....
If you ask comic book fans this film was far from "successfull". You'd think by now people would know what a bad comic book movie looks like. I couldn't even be happy just sitting back and watching some cool action all the fights were lame. Please don't judge a movie success on the fact that people went to go see it without being able to read a review and hoping for a good movie. Let's judge it by how many people walked out of there saying now that's what a Ghost Rider flick should be.
2/23/2007 7:43:52 AM
Chris from Delaware sez....
I'd like to see a sequal to Ghost Rider but please get someone who will make a good movie. This one was reasonably entertaining but fell well short of being anything close to a good movie.
2/23/2007 7:18:03 AM
Carter from New York, NY sez....
Please, Sony, stop MSJ from making comic book adaptations.
2/23/2007 6:24:07 AM
