Less than a month ago it was reported that Ghost Rider 2, officially titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, would begin production on location in Romania this Fall. Nicolas Cage would be back as Johnny Blaze, reprising the role of the title character in what he describes as a new and entirely different take on the character and franchise compared to the first movie.

Spirit of Vengeance is being touted as much more international story and will be shot in 3D, helping it differentiate from the post-conversion 3D comic book films in development. Crank directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor will be helming Ghost Rider 2, based off a script by David Goyer. The film is rumored to follow Blaze as he takes on a demon biker gang seeking to resurrect the demon lord Zarathos.

While the first film earned generally negative reviews, it did bank nearly $230 million worldwide and plenty more afterwards on home video, TV, merchandise, etc. Considering the sheer amount of major comic book films slated for release over the next two years, when would Ghost Rider 2 debut and could it compete against the likes of DC Entertainment's Green Lantern, Batman 3 and Superman, Fox' X-Men: First Class and Fantastic Four, Marvel's Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, just to name a few?

Likely not, so it's unsurprising to see the official release date for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance being set for February 17, 2012. The first Ghost Rider opened in theaters on February 16, 2007, making the release of its sequel on its 5-year opening weekend anniversary.

Although I was very disappointed and unimpressed with the first effort to adapt Ghost Rider, I'm open to seeing what this group does with the sequel. A new take on the franchise is exactly that the doctor ordered.

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Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance opens in theaters February 17, 2012.

Source: Box Office Mojo