Comic book creator Mark Millar gives an update on a Kick-Ass 3 adaptation after a reboot reportedly began development three years ago. Co-created by Millar and illustrator John Romita Jr., the Icon, and later Image Comics, title centers on teenager Dave Lizewski who sets out to become a real-life superhero. When his actions go viral on the Internet, he inspires various other people to become their own superheroes while also getting mixed up with ruthless vigilantes Big Daddy and Mindy "Hit-Girl" McCready in their mission to take down the Genovese crime family.
Kick-Ass would find its way to the screen in 2010 with Matthew Vaughn directing on a script he co-wrote with Jane Goldman and featuring an ensemble cast led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz , Mark Strong and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The film generated some controversy for the R-rated language and violence involving Moretz's 11-year-old character, but would ultimately garner critical acclaim for its humor, unique tone and the performances, namely that of Moretz. Kick-Ass' financial success would also lead to the production of a sequel, which saw Jeff Wadlow take over as writer/director while Vaughn, who chose his replacement, would produce, though saw a mixed-to-negative response from critics and audiences alike.
While speaking exclusively with Screen Rant for Netflix's anime adaptation of Super Crooks, Millar opened up about the Kick-Ass 3 rumors that began circulating a few years ago. Millar definitively shut down any plans being in the works for the comic book threequel, noting his frequent conversations with friend and filmmaker Matthew Vaughn and their lack of discussion on the matter. See what Millar shared below:
"You know, it's funny, occasionally something pops up about a third Kick-Ass, but it's never true. What happens is, I think, one of the original actors is being interviewed about another movie and they'll be asked, 'Is there another Kick-Ass' and they'll say, 'Well, I don't know maybe' and then it becomes a headline, 'Maybe Another Kick-Ass Is Coming.' But in reality, we've literally never had a conversation about it.
I talk to Matthew Vaughn three times a week, Matthew is one of my best friends, and we've no plans because I'm over at Netflix and he has deals over with Apple and Kick-Ass is Universal. So there's definitely no plans, maybe at some point in the future, we do have one last story to tell, which is the big finale storyline. I kind of like the idea of that as well, because practically we can come back a little later to all the characters in different places, so there's a potential story there at some point. But I pray that nobody reads this and mistakes that for us saying Kick-Ass 3 is in the works, because there's 100 percent no plans to do it at the moment."
Following the poor reception to Kick-Ass 2, most of the cast have expressed a general disinterest in reprising their roles for a third film, namely Moretz for her poor experience on the sequel. Discussions first began swirling in 2018 that a Kick-Ass reboot was in development with Vaughn revealing his plans to use his production banner Marv Studios to produce the project. Word later began swirling that a third mainline film was in the works with Taylor-Johnson, Mintz-Plasse and Lyndsy Fonseca reprising their roles for one final time before the reboot, though nothing has since come out regarding the project.
While Millar and his Millarworld banner may be set up at Netflix, his co-ownership of the Kick-Ass comics would necessitate his involvement on a potential Kick-Ass 3. Additionally, as Vaughn continues building out the world of Millar's Kingsman franchise for the screen, namely in the forthcoming prequel The King's Man, it seems likely that the Kick-Ass brand will remain dormant a little longer while a proper angle and timing can be determined for a new project. With any luck, Millar's desire to have a series centered on character Patience Lee with Tessa Thompson leading will come to fruition.