One of the worst kept secrets in the Australian film industry has finally hit the papers. The Age reports that Melbourne's struggling Docklands studios have secured the biggest film to be shot in the state, a $40 million adaptation of the Marvel comic "Ghost Rider".

Nicolas Cage is still rumoured to be in negotiations for the lead role as a motorcycle stuntman who does a deal with an evil character to gain supernatural powers. Shooting is scheduled for five months from January next year and will take place at the Central City Studios and on location in the city and regional areas. The film is scheduled to be Columbia Pictures' major summer release for 2006.

The decision to shoot the classic comic at the new studios is seen by the Government as a vindication of the State Government's decision to invest more than $40 million in the controversial studio project. Along with various other local productions, a new version of the children's classic "Charlotte's Web" is expected to shoot there at about the same time.

Thanks to 'Kenton' & 'Thomas'