Director Matthew Vaughan: 'Kick-Ass' Could Be Like 'Austin Powers'
by Sean Comer
Success is a double-edged sword for director Matthew Vaughan: sometimes, the movie world at large just won't let him be alone with the project that's still right in front of him.
The origin-story adaptation of Marvel Comics' 2008 story arc about a wussy high schooler who adopts a crime-fighting persona and becomes an overnight viral video sensation has made around $225 million between box office and DVD revenue on a $28-million budget. That's all the more impressive considering the film boasted virtually no major star power, less Brad Pitt's co-producer credit, Nicholas Cage as veteran vigilante and family man Big Daddy and Christopher "McLovin" Mintz-Plasse as villain-to-be Crimson Mist.
Vaughan hinted that with the sequel comic "Kick-Ass: Balls To The Wall" assembled, a sequel wasn't impossible.
He also suggested some things would have to fall into place for it to come into consideration.
"A lot of people say it could be like 'Austin Powers,' how the first one people couldn't get their heads around, they all discovered it on video and then the second one was a huge blockbuster," Vaughan said. "My theory is I don't know how to make sure 'Kick-Ass 2' is as good as 'Kick Ass 1.' I enjoyed making the movie so much and I loved working with all the characters in it so who knows. There could be one but if I do a sequel to that it's gotta be just as good, if not better."
While I admire his commitment to quality and his love for the material, c'mon, Vaughan: you made an "X-Men" movie. If you saw the third "X-Men," you can't say with a straight face that being noticably inferior has ever stopped a sequel before.