Keep in mind the halcyon days of 2010? The Marvel Cinematic Universe was nonetheless in its infancy, however a lot was already being fabricated from any superhero film that felt even barely totally different from the longer term juggernaut’s quippy origin tales. Future DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn’s title was already in the midst of conversations about superhero ethics due to his new movie “Tremendous,” whereas followers of Alan Moore’s “Watchmen” comics have been nonetheless debating the deserves and myriad drawbacks of Zack Snyder’s big-screen adaptation. From “The Spirit” to “Hancock,” latest various superhero tales have been actively dividing audiences who had but to put eyes on a single “Avengers” movie.
Then “Kick-Ass” confirmed up. The R-rated action-comedy featured a scrappy teen hero, a little bit woman who liked to beat the s**t out of individuals, a fittingly odd Nicolas Cage efficiency, and the unofficially cinematic mascot of the late aughts, “Superbad” breakout star Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The movie was successful, briefly uniting followers of superhero comics and style newcomers in search of one thing barely off the overwhelmed path. It earned practically $100 million worldwide towards a a lot smaller funds and garnered a sequel in 2013.
“Kick-Ass 2” was not as profitable as the primary, which is probably going why we’ve not seen a 3rd “Kick-Ass” movie a full decade later. But, in keeping with the unique movie’s writer-director, Matthew Vaughn, followers ought to now count on not only one upcoming movie from the world of “Kick-Ass,” however three, considered one of which is “The Stuntman.” This is all the pieces we learn about it thus far.
What’s the launch window for The Stuntman?
In keeping with Selection, “The Stuntman” might attain some audiences as early as late 2024. The film is seemingly fairly deep in manufacturing, with some sequences having been reportedly shot final fall. Whereas there’s nonetheless possible work left to be completed on the undertaking, producer Vaughn advised the outlet he is hoping for a launch on the Toronto Movie Competition in September or at Sundance in early 2025.
In fact, the pageant circuit is simply step one in the direction of a wider launch, and it is possible the movie will not attain audiences till it secures distribution at a fest (the film comes from manufacturing studios Zebbo Productions and Marv Studios, although preliminary protection does not point out a distributor). Until it is a whole trainwreck, the film ought to have the ability to discover a dwelling pretty simply, as it has been hyped as a part of a “Kick-Ass” reboot trilogy that can possible attraction to comics followers and anybody who dug the primary two movies in that superhero universe.
What are the plot particulars of The Stuntman?
Particulars on the plot of “The Stuntman” are nonetheless sparse, however Selection reported that it’ll “inform the story of two brothers who each grow to be stuntmen.” No, actually, that is it. Vaughn has confirmed, although, that the movie is the second in a reboot trilogy resulting in a brand new “Kick-Ass” film, so it is in all probability a protected wager that it will be an origin story of some type.
The unique “Kick-Ass” film, launched in 2010, advised the story of teenager turned hero Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and a squad of self-styled vigilantes and antiheroes together with Hit-Lady (Chloë Grace Moretz), Huge Daddy (Cage), and Purple Mist (Mintz-Plasse). Whereas casting info for “The Stuntman” hasn’t been introduced but, Vaughn has confirmed that we can’t be seeing acquainted faces –- a minimum of for now. “Not one of the different characters from the opposite ‘Kick-Ass’ are in it, although we might prefer to have them again after the reboot,” he defined (by way of Leisure Weekly). “I am unable to actually discuss it, but it surely’s enjoyable!”
Although the workforce behind “The Stuntman” have not revealed whether or not or not the movie shall be primarily based on something from the “Kick-Ass” comics, it is value noting {that a} new hero has taken over the hero’s duties on the web page as effectively. Within the comedian run beginning in 2018, “Kick-Ass –- The New Lady,” a 40-year-old soldier named Persistence Lee makes use of the title of Kick-Ass whereas working as a criminal offense lord. Once more, it isn’t but clear how –- and if –- this plot will relate again to the trilogy Vaughn has within the works.
Who’s the director of The Stuntman?
“Kingsman” and “X-Males: First Class” filmmaker Matthew Vaughn directed the unique “Kick-Ass” movie, with “Fact Or Dare” filmmaker Jeff Wadlow helming the 2013 sequel. Whereas Vaughn appears to be the one sharing updates concerning the new trilogy, he is really on board as a producer solely, having handed the reins over to a different filmmaker this time round. First-time director Damien Walters has reportedly already wrapped manufacturing on the primary installment within the trilogy, “Faculty Battle,” and is returning for “The Stuntman.”
Walters is himself a stuntman whose credit embrace “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” “Skyfall,” “Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity,” and Vaughn’s personal “Kingsman” movies. He is additionally appeared on display screen in motion pictures like “I Am Quantity 4” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.” In keeping with his Youtube account, Walters is a “world famend freerunner, stuntman and gymnast.” He additionally honed his filmmaking chops on “Argylle”; he is credited as a second unit director on Vaughn’s newest motion flick (learn our assessment).
Who’re the writers and producers of The Stuntman?
Walters and Vaughn are each set to supply “The Stuntman,” the previous by his firm Zebbo Productions and the latter by Marv Studios, which Vaughn launched as SKA Movies with Man Ritchie in 1997. The pair reportedly severed ties within the aughts, at which level the corporate was rebranded as Marv Movies. In 2018, Deadline reported that Vaughn launched the Marv Studios subsidiary partially to make the “Kick-Ass” follow-up movies. In keeping with Selection, Walters and Vaughn have plans to transform an 80,000 sq. foot location within the English county of Derbyshire right into a manufacturing website.
Writing credit for “The Stuntman” have not been publicized but, but it surely’s clear that Vaughn has an overarching imaginative and prescient for the upcoming movies –- and he is indicated that he is one of many folks engaged on the “Kick-Ass” reboot script himself. “We’re midway by it,” the filmmaker advised Collider in January 2024 when requested concerning the script for what’s going to presumably be the third movie. Walters clearly has a significant hand within the trilogy’s tales as effectively, with Broadcast Beat reporting, “The idea for [‘School Fight’] was the brainchild of seasoned stunt skilled Damien Walters.”
Does The Stuntman belong to a cinematic universe?
Admittedly, the “Strangers”-esque chronology of the “Kick-Ass” universe appears fairly difficult lately, particularly since we’re listening to concerning the second and third movies in a deliberate reboot trilogy earlier than audiences have even gotten used to the concept of the primary one. To be clear, although, the precise “Kick-Ass” reboot — which is reportedly the third movie in Vaughn and Walters’ upcoming trilogy –- continues to be anticipated to drag indirectly from the unique comics by Mark Millar and John Romita. At this level, it does not appear to be watching the beforehand launched movies is a requirement for understanding the brand new trilogy.
With that in thoughts, followers ought to first count on to see the movie “Faculty Story,” then “The Stuntman” (which was beforehand known as “VRAM”), then an as-yet untitled film that can function a “Kick-Ass” reboot. “It’s a very, very meta universe,” Vaughn advised Collider when talking concerning the third movie within the trilogy. “It’s what, you already know, ‘Kick Ass’ was reinventing and making a R-rated superhero and nobody was actually doing it. That is taking that entire idea to a worthy […] not even a sequel, as a result of I feel it is only a entire new means of doing ‘Kick Ass,’ which could not be extra ‘Kick Ass.'”
Certain! However these are the one “Kick-Ass” properties we have now to maintain monitor of, proper? Unsuitable! Vaughn has famous beforehand that he is hoping to do extra “Kick-Ass” movies down the road, together with with acquainted characters who will apparently be absent from these motion pictures. “I want to make a ‘Kick-Ass 3’ with these characters however I feel we simply want to make use of a sorbet, let’s consider to cleanse everybody’s palate, remind everybody that ‘Kick-Ass’ is loopy and totally different,” the filmmaker advised SyFy Wire in 2023. We’ll maintain you posted on the standing of the franchise as its difficult, three-part future turns into extra clear.