Kick-Ass

Did You Know?

• DIY Superhero Origins: Director Matthew Vaughn independently financed the movie after studios were hesitant due to its violent content and controversial themes.
• Real Age, Real Shock: Chloë Grace Moretz was only 11 years old during filming, sparking debate over her use of strong language and violence — though her performance was widely praised.
• Comic vs. Movie: The film’s ending diverges significantly from the comic, offering a more optimistic and cinematic conclusion to Dave’s journey.
• Nicolas Cage Tribute: Cage modelled Big Daddy’s speaking voice after Adam West’s portrayal of Batman from the 1960s — adding a campy yet eerie layer to his performance.
• Hit-Girl’s Training: Moretz underwent rigorous martial arts and weapons training for the role, and performed many of her own stunts.
• Red Mist Rewrite: In early drafts, Red Mist was more of a side character. His role was expanded to balance out the story and set up the sequel (Kick-Ass 2).
• Breaking Ground: Kick-Ass was among the first R-rated superhero movies to gain mainstream success, paving the way for films like Deadpool and Logan.
• Music Mayhem: The film’s eclectic soundtrack features tracks from The Prodigy, Elvis Presley, and Ennio Morricone — contributing to its anarchic, genre-hopping style.
• Controversy = Buzz: The film sparked media controversy before release, especially around Hit-Girl’s character, but this only boosted its profile and cult status.
• Hidden Cameos: Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., the creators of the original comic, both have brief cameos in the film.