Scott Derrickson, the acclaimed director behind Doctor Strange, reveals that he was considered the director of the Nicolas Cage film Ghost Rider 2.
Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson was considered to be at the helm Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, starring Nicolas Cage. Derrickson is an American filmmaker who mainly focuses on the horror genre. One of Derrickson’s most beloved films to date is Sinister, which has become a cult classic in the years since its release in 2012. His popularity as a director has only grown since then when he was hired to work on more mainstream films such as Doctor Strange. Derrickson would also return as a director for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness until he and Marvel Studios broke up due to creative differences over the film.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance released in 2012 and received poor reviews for the acting, story and CGI – with a whopping 18% critical Rotten Tomatoes score. The films are based on the Ghost Rider Marvel comic books, with the sequel focusing on Johnny Blaze (Cage) as he continues to deal with the Ghost Rider’s curse. The negative reaction to the film means no other Ghost Rider Movies have been made since then, which some fans of the character from the comics consider a blessing.
As part of a Sinister oral history of SlashFilmDerrickson explained that he was considered a director Ghost Rider 2 before signing up for the 2012 horror film, see Derrickson’s full commentary below:
So my attitude goes to Sinister, the reason I said yes to Jason [Blum] right away, I was like, ‘Okay, this is it. If this is the last movie I ever get to make…” I was offered things like Ghost Rider 2. If I’d made that movie, I probably wouldn’t have worked again. And I passed on the few things I was offered… When Jason came up to me and said, ‘I’ll give you $3 million and the final discount,’ I thought, ‘Okay, great. Well, if this is the last movie I get to make, I’m going to make a movie I want to see.”
How Ghost Rider 2 Would Have Been Different With Scott Derrickson
While Ghost Rider 2 Seen by many as a poorly written film, Derrickson’s talent could have turned some of the film’s ill-received aspects – like the poor CGI and odd acting choices. He could have given the audience a gritty, thought-provoking story that was better than the sequel that took the whole concept of Ghost Rider movies. A balance between action and humor, like that of Doctor Strangecould also have done wonders for a movie like Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
Regardless of what Derrickson could have done to improve Ghost Rider 2, the film probably still wouldn’t have fared as well as other films he’s worked on. While a director has a huge impact on a project and its tone, some obstacles are impossible to overcome. The choice not to work Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance led to Derrickson being able to work on Sinister, his true masterpiece among the horror films he directed. Ultimately, Derrickson’s choice to turn down the job saved his career and enabled him to become the acclaimed director he is today.
Source: SlashFilm
