Seven things to know about 'Kick-Ass'

(2010 Lionsgate Pictures)

Even before the comedy action-adventure Kick-Ass hits US theaters this weekend, there were hints at the US premiere that a sequel to the send-up might be in the works.

Based on the Marvel comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr., released on the independent imprint Icon, the film includes a cameo of Marvel's chief, Stan Lee, who plays a man watching news footage.

Another appearance features the wife of the film's director Matthew Vaughn, supermodel Claudia Schiffer, featured on a billboard advertisement behind Dave "Kick-Ass" Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) when he meets Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz).

Moretz she told her agent she wanted an Angelina Jolie-type character. "You know, like an action hero, woman empowerment, awesome, take-charge leading role," she told the New York Times. A month later she got the part.

Several references to other movies are found in the film's dialogue, including Taxi Driver - "You talking to me," Scarface - "Say hello to my little friend," and a quote by The Joker from Batman - "Wait till they get a load of me." Other movies alluded to are Sunset Boulevard, American Beauty and Sin City.

The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) gave Kick-Ass rating of R for strong brutal violence, sexual content, drug use, and teens using foul language - the four-letter ‘f' word is said 100 times. R-rated films require children under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or an adult.

The soundtrack music includes songs by The Prodigy, The Hives, Joan Jett, and Sparks. The album, available as a UK import on Phantasm, also features tracks by acts such as MIKA, Primal Scream, The Dickies, The Pretty Reckless, The New York Dolls, Ennio Morricone, and Elvis Presley.

Memorable quotes by actors in the film are also included on the soundtrack CD, like Nicolas Cage saying, "Tool up, honey bunny. It's time to get bad guys."

Kick-Ass is the story of a teenage boy and fan of comic books where heroes exist only in the comics until he decides to change that, despite lacking superhero powers. It releases in the US April 16, and several other countries next weekend.

MIKA's music video "Kick-Ass" featuring scenes from the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_y_illV4s

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www.kickass-themovie.com/

RC