Marvel and DC dominate the world of superhero films, but some franchises have successfully created popular movies independently. A prime example of this first appeared sixteen years ago today and continues to be successful.
These days, movie studios aren’t rushing to create sprawling superhero universes like they used to, as interest in superhero films has waned recently. In the 2010s, everyone wanted to replicate Marvel’s success with the MCU, leading to films like Bloodshot and attempts at universes like Universal’s Dark Universe. While very few of these efforts succeeded, this one stands out as a particularly strong example.
Kick-Ass Was Released 16 Years Ago Today
Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. created the hit comic series Kick-Ass, which first appeared in 2008. It quickly gained both critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming a cornerstone of Millarworld. The comic’s popularity was boosted by the release of the Kick-Ass movie in 2010, just two years after the series began.
Released on April 16, 2010—exactly 16 years ago today—Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn, tells the story of Dave Lizewski, a comic book fan who decides to become a real-life superhero. Despite a rough start and some serious injuries, Dave’s high pain tolerance helps him succeed. He becomes the viral sensation known as Kick-Ass and soon discovers a hidden world of other vigilantes.
The movie Kick-Ass was a financial and critical success, earning $96.2 million at the box office with a $30 million budget and receiving a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This led to a sequel, Kick-Ass 2, released in 2013. While it brought back some of the original film’s popular characters, it didn’t perform as well. Kick-Ass 2 earned $60.8 million on a $28 million budget and received a significantly lower Rotten Tomatoes score of 33%.
Even though it’s been over ten years since a new Kick-Ass movie came out, the franchise remains a standout for its sheer entertainment value in the 2010s. Unlike the generally family-friendly Marvel and DC films, Kick-Ass wasn’t afraid to be more adult, featuring violence, gore, and strong language. Despite some elements not holding up perfectly over time, there’s still plenty to enjoy about the Kick-Ass movies.
The Kick-Ass Franchise Has Two Movies In Development
Despite being released in 2013, the Kick-Ass story isn’t finished. Currently, two new Kick-Ass movies are being developed. Mark Millar initially planned Kick-Ass 3 right after Kick-Ass 2, but the second movie didn’t perform well at the box office, so those plans were put on hold. He also hoped to make a Hit-Girl movie, but that didn’t happen either.
Back in 2018, Matthew Vaughn, the director of the first Kick-Ass movie, started a production company called Marv Studios with plans to make more Kick-Ass films. He initially hoped to create a third Kick-Ass movie before potentially restarting the series, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Marv Studios produced other films like Silent Night, The King’s Man, Tetris, and Argylle.
After more than ten years without a new installment, the Kick-Ass franchise is set to return with Stuntnuts: The Movie. The film will center around a team of athletes and gymnasts who work as stunt performers. The cast includes Greg Townley, Paul Lowe, Bobby Holland Hanton, Chris Hemsworth, and Sam Rockwell. While a release date hasn’t been announced yet, Stuntnuts is planned to be the first film in a new Kick-Ass trilogy.
The next Stuntnuts movie will be called Stuntnuts Does School Fight, but details about the plot and when it will be released haven’t been announced yet. Greg Townley, Paul Lowe, and Bobby Holland Hanton will return for the sequel, which is intended to lead into a third film. While it’s still unclear how the Stuntnuts films connect to the Kick-Ass universe, fans are excited to see the franchise return after almost twenty years.
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2026-04-16 15:14