I think that we can all agree that Crank is an action movie masterpiece and that Jason Statham’s awesomeness is one of the reasons that it is. But what if Statham hadn’t been in the film? What if Chev Chelios had actually been played by Nicholas Cage? That would have definitely made for a different film, and it’s what Crank directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor were originally thinking when they came up with the film. The two said this while answering questions about Nic’s casting in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance at NYCC this year.
Believe it or not, I can actually see it working. The movie would have been very different and even weirder, but I think it could have worked. I’m not saying it would have been better, just different. Cage’s insanity and strangeness would have definitely been a solid compliment to the frantic uber-action of both Crank films. However, Statham is absolutely fantastic in the films so no reason to think about what could have been.
It does give me even more hope that Neveldine and Taylor are making an absolutely amazing Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Crank with Nic Cage and a flaming skull? Yes and please.
