“Kick Ass” Gets Picked Up for Distrbution

Variety is reporting that Lionsgate has purchased the North American rights to the long awaited Mattthew Vaughn movie adaptation of the comic book, “Kick-Ass.” Along with news of the purchase came some news of a release. It isn’t anything specific yet, but the studio has related to a wide release in 2010.

Some industry insiders were surprised with the aggressive bidding from Lionsgate as they seem to lose their ass on every comic book movie they lay their hands on: Punisher and The Spirit.

“Kick-Ass” is based on a comicbook by Mark Millar (“Wanted”) and John Romita Jr. about a comics-obsessed teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero, Kick-Ass, despite a decided lack of superpowers. Vaughn co-wrote the script with his “Stardust” writing partner Jane Goldman. (The scribes also have John Madden-helmed “The Debt” in post at Miramax.)

Cast includes Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and “Superbad’s” Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Johnson, who plays the titular lead, also has the lead as the young John Lennon in the upcoming Weinstein Co. pic “Nowhere Boy.”