Call me an old-fashioned Catholic but I believe in redemption. And I believe Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance can be redeemed in the eyes of movie-goers. Cinematic redemption comes in the form of a David S. Goyer treatment, the bonkers duo Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine and a great cast including a returning Nicolas Cage, Violante Placido, Ciaran Hinds and Idris Elba. There’s no guarantees here but it’s a start.

These set photos aren’t the best quality in the world, but they do show production is well and truly under way. The sequel to the 2007 let down is taking place in Romania and Turkey. Again the set video is a bit ho-hum, but at least it shows you the non-exciting side of movie making.

A few weeks ago we also reported the film’s budget had been slashed from $135 million dollars to $75 million.
That’s still a lot of change to play with but Sony have so much invested in Spider-Man, Men in Black 3 and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo they’ve set up a co-finance deal with Hyde Park Entertainment.

Nicolas Cage has also taken a pay cut of $5 million and will now be paid around $7 million dollars for his reprisal at Johnny Blade/Ghost Rider. Apparently his agency, CAA, weren’t best pleased with this financial re-jigging, but Cage is committed to the character and the new film.

With a massive cut in the budget it remains to be seen what will be jettisoned from Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine’s script. One imagines it’ll be a set piece or four. Filming is imminent and taking place in Romania and Turkey. Joining Cage is ace Irish actor Ciaran Hinds, Idris Elba, Violante Placido and Johnny Whitworth.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance sees Johnny Blaze battling the Devil when he decides to take possession of a young lad’s soul on his birthday. Turns out it’s Blaze’s own son!

The film is being produced by Mike deLuca, Avi Arad and Ashok Armitraj and directed by Crank duo Taylor and Neveldine from a story by David S. Goyer.