During Comic-Con, we brought you the first official images from Columbia Pictures‘ forthcoming film, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The film, directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Crank 2) and starring Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Idris Elba and Johnny Whitworth.

Now, Deadline reports that Columbia Pictures has set an official release date for the film. The reportedly darker and scarier sequel to 2007’s Ghost Rider is now slated to hit theaters on February 17th, 2012.

Synopsis:

It has been several years since making a deal with the Devil and Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage), living in self-imposed isolation, finds himself as the only person who can help save 10-year-old Danny – and ultimately the world – thanks to his unwanted and uncontrollable power – his ability to transform into the hell-on-wheels monster known as The Ghost Rider.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is slated to hit theaters on February 17th, 2012.