The World Bends Over For "Kick-Ass"

Sneak Peek the new character posters for director Matthew Vaughn's upcoming comic book adaptation "Kick-Ass", opening April 16.

January 2010, an international trailer of the film was slammed by family groups for its display of violence and use of the line "OK you cunts, let's see what you can do now" delivered by actress Chloe Moretz, who was 12 at the time of filming.



Australian Family Association spokesman John Morrissey claimed "the language offensive and the values inappropriate - without the saving grace of the bloodless victory of traditional superheroes".

In response to the controversy, Ms. Moretz stated in an interview with MTV, "If I ever uttered one word that I said in 'Kick-Ass', I would be grounded for years! I'd be stuck in my room until I was 20! I would never in a million years say that. I'm an average, everyday girl."

"Kick-Ass" is based on the 8-issue "Kick-Ass" comic book mini-series created by Mark "Wanted" Millar and John Romita Jr. following a superhero fan who decides to become a costumed crime-fighting vigilante. Along the way, he meets up with other vigilantes including 'Red Mist' and father-daughter team 'Big Daddy' and 'Hit Girl'.

Visually, Vaughn wanted to make a bright and glossy film', "...so what happens in the film is shocking, not the style...", he said. "I just let the characters do the dark stuff and let the lighting be... I just thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the look and the action... "

Vaughn acquired film rights to "Kick-Ass" for his Marv Films, when the KA comic book debuted February 2008. He then financed the film independently after "every studio turned it down".

"Kick-Ass" is co-produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B.

Premise of "Kick-Ass" follows 'Dave Lizewski', a New York City high school student, who takes an interest in comic books as his cue to become a vigilante hero, assembling a suit and mask, worn under his normal clothing.

His first attempt at fighting crime results in Dave being overpowered, then hit by a car. But determined to retain his secret identity, he hides his costume before paramedics arrive.

Dave tells his father he was mugged, before undergoing four operations followed by intense physical rehabilitation. Weeks later, bruised but undaunted, Dave tosses his crutches, dons his costume and takes off again for 'patrol'.

After saving a man in need of assistance, an onlooker films the scene on a cellphone camera and uploads it to YouTube, turning Dave Lizewski into an instant media sensation called 'Kick-Ass'.


The $70 million comic book adaptation will be released by Lionsgate April 16, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Kick-Ass"...

"Family Guy" : Going Mobile

Canwest reports that 100 'specialized' video clips of Global’s "Family Guy" have been optimized for mobile phones for the first time in Canada . Available to consumers, courtesy SUBWAY restaurants, the clips feature the 'Griffin' clan and can be accessed by texting “Stewie” to 456225.

The one to two minute video clips are available now through April 28, 2010. Global has presented the best of clips, organized into 11 categories including “Stewie World Domination” and “Everyone Hates Meg”.

"Canadians are loyal 'Family Guy' fans, and this was an opportunity to partner with SUBWAY to deliver exclusive show content right in the palm of their hands,” said Paul Burns, VP, Digital Medial, Canwest Broadcasting.

"With this initiative we are able to engage and entertain in a format that’s easily accessible..."

Targeted to the series fan base, the multiplatform promotional campaign started January 28 on TVTropolis, continuing on Global Television and online @ GlobalTV.com.

"SUBWAY restaurants and all of our franchisees are excited to be teaming up with Canwest Broadcasting to bring this innovative offering to Canada," said Chuck Roy, Chairman, SUBWAY Canadian Operators Marketing Board.

"We are always looking for new and unique ways to engage with our customers..."

Telefilm Wants US Stars For Canadian Films

According to reports, Michel Roy, head of Canada's federal film agency Telefilm, is urging the Conservative government to ease restrictions allowing foreign film actors to appear in publicly-funded movies.

Current tax rules require the lead actor or second lead to be Canadian.

Roy said he believes more US movie stars would help Canadian movies at the box office, especially English Canadian features, which accounted for only one per cent of Canadian box office receipts in 2009.

"We need to make changes," Roy said. "In order to make those changes we will have to dare to do new things that at times might shock some people."

Roy says Telefilm, which has invested nearly a billion dollars into the domestic industry since 2000, has been holding discussions with officials at Heritage Canada.

Meanwhile Canadian leading actors, including Ryan Reynolds ("The Green Lantern") and Seth Rogen ("The Green Hornet"), continue to dominate in US films, which leads to speculation that it may not be the 'stars' of films that attract audiences, but rather universal themes and stories.

Expect ACTRA, the Canadian film actors union, that has been lobbying the industry for more 'Canadian' stories, to go ape over Roy's new recommendations...