It has been four years since Kick-Ass 2, and fans of the Mark Millar-created character haven't much hope of seeing the character return to the big screen. The sequel film was not as well received as Matthew Vaughn's original movie and failed to match its box office. Still, the Kick-Ass movies helped paved the way for the success enjoyed by other R-rated superhero movies like Deadpool and this year's Logan. So, while news has been quiet on the Kick-Ass front, it seems that something may be in the works. Mark Millar, the man behind Kingsman, Wanted and Kick-Ass recently stoked the embers of this property's return. Take a look.
Keep in mind that this is by no means confirmation of anything movie-related. He wouldn't be the first creative to tease something on Twitter just to mess with people or to get hopes up prematurely. The news about Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl could be something on the comic front and not necessarily of a cinematic Kick-Ass 3 proper. But if nothing else, Mark Millar teasing a press release for impending news gets fans hopes up, and stating the news is coming next week means we won't have to wait long to find out just what it is he's talking about.
There is reason to hope beyond this teasing tweet, though. Earlier this year Netflix purchased Millarworld, Mark Millar's comic publishing company responsible for not only Kingsman, Wanted and Kick-Ass, but also Starlight, Superior and Chrononauts. This deal was made to bring Millarworld properties to life in films and TV shows on the platform. The comics will now bear a Netflix logo, with the first to hit next spring, according to EW. This gives Netflix their own comic book arm that will continue to produce stories they can adapt and use to drive subscribers to their service.
The Netflix/Millarworld deal looks even wiser in hindsight given the imminent launch of Disney's own streaming service and their exclusivity on Star Wars and Marvel properties. While rights issues are always a murky area, Netflix might see an opportunity to put out either a Kick-Ass 3 film or a new series on their service, assuming there are no legal entanglements. Other than perhaps Kingsman, Kick-Ass is probably the best-known Millarworld title, so piggybacking off the name value of the property for its first adaptation would make sense.
Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl seem far better suited to a Netflix TV series than feature films. They don't require the level of CGI budget as something like The Avengers, and their adult content fits in far better on a streaming platform where audiences can seek it out. Netflix's street-level Marvel series Jessica Jones and Daredevil have shown that the streaming service can do adult, violent series that don't feel timid. Kick-Ass has become something of a cult film, and a reboot of the character on Netflix could be a great start to the Millarworld acquisition.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend, and we'll let you know if Mark Millar delivers and any kick ass Kick-Ass news next week.
