Lionsgate to distribute 'Kick-Ass'

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Lionsgate says it has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to "Kick-Ass," the new action-comedy from writer/director Matthew Vaughn.

Vaughn's film credits include "Layer Cake" and "Stardust."

Based on the popular comic by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., "Kick-Ass" stars Nicolas Cage, newcomer Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Chloe Moretz.

The screenplay is written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman. The film's producers are Vaughn, Brad Pitt, Tarquin Pack and Kris Thykier, and Millar and Romita Jr. are co-producers.

The announcement of the distribution deal was made Monday by Joe Drake -- Lionsgate president of motion picture group and co-chief operating officer -- and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate president of acquisitions and co-productions.

The film is a privately financed independent production from Vaughn's Marv Films and Plan B Entertainment, and is currently in post-production. Lionsgate anticipates a wide release in 2010.

"Matthew Vaughn is an amazing talent and a true original, and he has brought a whole new mindset to the action genre with 'Kick-Ass,'" Constantine said in a statement. "'Kick-Ass' redefines the boundaries in terms of humor, action, story, character and tone -- it's the kind of movie that reminds us of why we go to the movies in the first place."