Director Mark Steven Johnson’s 2007 movie Ghost Rider was the first major theatrical adaptation of Marvel Comics’ iconic anti-hero, Ghost Rider. Thanks to actor Nicolas Cage, the anticipation for the movie was quite high.

The casting of Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider created a lot of buzz and fans praised Cage for his unique acting style and his portrayal of Johnny Blaze. The actor reportedly spent a lot of time in the gym, achieving the ideal physique, however, fans suspected that Cage’s six-pack abs were artificially showcased using CGI.

Nicolas Cage will never workout again for a movie

Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider
The use of CGI in Ghost Rider (2007) is quite extensive. The character itself was entirely made using CGI, however, actor Nicolas Cage‘s abs were not artificial. In a 2022 interview with GQ, Cage acknowledged the rumors regarding his abs in Ghost Rider,

“They are real, and that’s why I’ll never work out that hard again. Because nobody wanted to believe they were real and they wanted to believe it was CGI, which it wasn’t so what’s the point?”

Cage went through intense training sessions and followed a strict diet in order to get the ideal physique for his role as Johnny Blaze, however, the fans’ reaction made him quite disappointed.

Ghost Rider was a Commercial Success

Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider
Real abs or not, Nicolas Cage’s performance in Ghost Rider was quite memorable. The movie was a commercial success as it performed well internationally, earning over $228 million at the global box office on a budget of $110 million. The movie also featured Eva Mendes, Sam Elliott, and Peter Fonda.

The movie successfully introduced the iconic Marvel character to a wider audience who were not into comic books. The success of the first movie resulted in a sequel, titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, which was released in 2011.

Nicolas Cage was a huge fan of Ghost Rider

Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider
Without a doubt, Cage is one of the most talented actors in the entertainment industry. He is well-known for giving his best on the big screen. The actor was so fond of Ghost Rider that he already had a tattoo of the character on his arm, which he had gotten digitally removed for the movie.

With his memorable performances, Nicolas Cage has established himself as a versatile actor and a prominent figure in the film industry. He has continued taking on new projects and captivating audiences with his unique style.