Idris Elba Joins Ghost Rider 2; Hints at Other Marvel Movies
Posted 10.07.10 by Ryan
British actor Idris Elba is busy these days, in no small part due to comic book movies like The Losers and the upcoming Thor. Elba's association with comic book adaptation is just beginning, however. In a conversation with Total Film, Elba explained that Thor is the start of a long association with Marvel Studios.
I have a picture deal with them (Marvel). I can't tell you much about that, but I can tell you I'll be back.
One of the Marvel movies that will bring Elba back is Ghost Rider 2. THR reports that Elba has joined the production as "an alcoholic warrior monk" that must find the Ghost Rider (Nicolas Cage). After Ghost Rider 2, Elba will move on to the title role in Cross, based on the novel by James Patterson. After that, Elba told Total Film, the actor may be ready to join more Marvel movies.
I wouldn't mind having a crack at bringing Blade back, personally. But, there's a couple of things there that they have... Luke Cage is... very interesting.
A Luke Cage movie has been in development since 2003, with director John Singleton on board the project. After several drafts of the screenplay, the project has continued to languish, but, in April, reports revealed that Marvel was actively looking for screenwriters and directors to create movies for characters that would follow their upcoming Avengers, with Marvel president Kevin Feige confirming that Cage was amongst the characters in question.
Until more concrete news is revealed about Elba and Luke Cage, the actor's association will continue with the Ghost Rider sequel, titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Production on the sequel begins in November in Romania with directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor working off their script based on David Goyer's initial draft penned almost ten years ago. According to the THR report, Johnny Whitworth also joined the cast as "a criminal who is recruited by the devil (Ciarán Hinds)" to find the devil's mortal son.
Next Showing: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance opens February 17, 2012