The Hollywood trades are reporting that Universal Studios is in talks with Matthew Vaughn to make and distribute Kick-Ass 2 the sequel to the 2010 movie that Vaughn made independently for $30 million, and which earned $96 million worldwide.  Vaughn, who is busy preparing the sequel to X-Men: First Class, will  produce, though he will not return to helm the Kick-Ass sequel.  However he has chosen Jeff Wadlow (Never Back Down) to direct the sequel with Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass), Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse expected to reprise their roles.

 

These reports in the trade confirm earlier assurances from Kick-Ass comic creators John Romita, Jr. and Mark Millar that the sequel to Kick-Ass 2 was on track (see "'Kick-Ass 2' to Shoot This Summer"), though it now appears that the movie will be financed by Universal and that shooting won’t start until the fall.

 

Lionsgate distributed the first Kick-Ass movie, which achieved cult movie status, was actually one of the most effective Marvel movies yet in terms of actually selling books (see "'Kick-Ass' #1 In BookStore Graphic Novel Sales").  The sequel will reportedly adapt the Hit-Girl spin-off as its first act, which will be folded into the narrative of the Kick-Ass 2 miniseries.