Cage film tops the box office

The new Nicholas Cage film Ghost Rider reached the top of the worldwide box office listings this week.

Cage's comic book hero knocked the Ben Stiller comedy Night at the Museum off the number one spot, taking a total of $16 million (£8 million) in its opening week.

In the film Nicholas Cage, who recently featured in the Oliver Stone action drama World Trade Centre, plays a stunt motorcyclist who gives up his soul to the devil.

This role is a far cry from the angel Cage played in the 1998 romance City Of Angels, in which his character falls for Meg Ryan's hardworking doctor.

Ghost Rider is the latest in a number of comic book adaptations to top the box office - Spider-Man starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst was a hit back in 2002, with the sequel, featuring the Da Vinci Code's Alfred Molina also proving popular.

Meanwhile, the film world has recently been preoccupied with rumours about the next Batman film, with reports circling that Maggie Gyllenhaal will star alongside Christian Bale's caped crusader.

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