The fact that anyone would try to make a sequel to the Marvel comic adapting, Nic Cage starring, demon on a flaming motorcycle movie Ghost Rider is a bit of a head scratcher. I mean, that was one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. Sure, the source material has some value. I can imagine a reimaging, a remake, or a reboot of the Ghost Rider character. But a sequel that brings Nic Cage back? No thanks. Or maybe it’s an idea so crazy it just might work. The first clue that this might be the case is that Spirit of Vengeance has ditched hack director Mark Steven Johnson in favor of a more interesting choice, Crank’s Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. The second is that some footage from the film was recently shown at Comic Con that is getting a lot of positive buzz on my Twitter feed. Riding high off of that wave of positivity, Spirit of Vengeance’s marketing blitz continues with the first still images from the movie being debuted in the new issue of Empire Magazine. Thanks to some scans that showed up on comicbookmovie.com, we can all take a look.

Make no bones about it, the UK has been screaming out for a local equivalent to the sprawling and genius beast that is the San Diego Comic-Con, as well as something that offers “regular movie fans” the opportunity to enjoy a similar festival that takes into account their various levels of nerdery, without feeling like they are second-class behind hacks and those attendees who turn up in full Klingon gear every year without fail. And now, thanks to Empire Magazine, British film-fest-fans are set to get their wish, with August seeing the inaugural Big Screen festival opening at the O2 and offering a so far unrivaled opportunity to get up close and personal with the movie world. I had the opportunity to meet the Empire team at a swanky, on-the-beach restaurant yesterday to find out some more details, and to be punched in the soul by the very best steak I have ever eaten. And I’ve eaten a lot of steak in my time.

A few months ago, Empire magazine revealed their list of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time… as voted by their readers. Well Empire and their readers have struck again… this time with their list of the 100 Greatest Movie Characters.

As if someone hasn’t done it before (or for that matter, won’t do it again soon), Empire Magazine has published their list of the 500 Greatest Films of All-Time, as voted on by their fans in what they are calling ‘the biggest movie poll of all-time.’

The January 2008 cover of Empire magazine will feature Mr. Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight. You can see it here.