I've talked with John Romita Jr. (JRJr) in the past in a broad interview that touched on everything from Kick-Ass to Captain America and Daredevil. But this time, I battled through a cold to to talk with John specifically about all things Kick-Ass. On the film side of things, Romita shared with me that he and Mark Millar actually had a run-through of their fight scene that was going to give them close-ups in the film but one of the comic book legends couldn't keep a straight face. As far as the comic book is concerned Kick-Ass 3 will be released this May and while Romita remained mum on details he did say he thinks it's the best story in the series and that he'll be doing tight pencils this time around instead of breakdowns. There's also a rumor of a Justice Forever spinoff but Romita opted to 'play dumb' on those rumors as he put in his own words. JRJr was more forthcoming about his plans after Kick-Ass which includes, Shmuggy & Bimbo with Howard Chaykin and plans for other projects with Mark Waid and Neil Gaiman.
VIDEO BREAKDOWN
- What happened on set the day of those behind the scenes images we saw of him and Mark Millar
02:22 What was 'supposed' to happen between Mark and John's character in the epic showdown between heroes and villains
03:15 Does this film stick closer to the source material or take some liberties like the first film did?
04:30 His thoughts on the costumes in comparison to what he designed in the comic book
05:52 Working on the comic book after the first film, did the knowledge that what he's drawing will become a major motion picture influence his art?
07:10 What is John's progress on the artwork for Kick-Ass 3?
08:53 I tried to get a hint about what's going to occur in Kick-Ass 3
09:40 What about that rumored Justice Forever spinoff?
10:24 Which members of the cast did John get to meet while he was on set?
11:25 Revealed there's going to be some of his artwork in the sequel
11:45 Briefly touches on working with Rick Remender on Captain America
12:30 Talks about what he has lined up after the Kick-Ass finale including Shmuggy & Bimbo with Howard Chaykin and projects with Mark Waid and Neil Gaiman
Exclusive Interview: John Romita Jr.
Kick-Ass, Hit Girl and Red Mist return for the follow-up to 2010’s irreverent global hit: Kick-Ass 2. After Kick-Ass’ (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) insane bravery inspires a new wave of self-made masked crusaders, led by the badass Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), our hero joins them on patrol. When these amateur superheroes are hunted down by Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)—reborn as The Mother F%&*^r—only the blade-wielding Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) can prevent their annihilation.
When we last saw junior assassin Hit Girl and young vigilante Kick-Ass, they were trying to live as normal teenagers Mindy and Dave. With graduation looming and uncertain what to do, Dave decides to start the world’s first superhero team with Mindy. Unfortunately, when Mindy is busted for sneaking out as Hit Girl, she’s forced to retire—leaving her to navigate the terrifying world of high-school mean girls on her own. With no one left to turn to, Dave joins forces with Justice Forever, run by a born-again ex-mobster named Colonel Stars and Stripes.
Just as they start to make a real difference on the streets, the world’s first super villain, The Mother F%&*^r, assembles his own evil league and puts a plan in motion to make Kick-Ass and Hit Girl pay for what they did to his dad. But there’s only one problem with his scheme: If you mess with one member of Justice Forever, you mess with them all.
Running Time: In post-production
Release Date: June 28, 2013
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jim Carrey, Donald Faison, John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, Clark Duke, Lyndsy Fonseca, Olga Kurkulina
Directed by: Jeff Wadlow
Written by: Jeff Wadlow (screenplay) Mark Millar (comic book) John Romita Jr (comic book)
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