First look–Jim Carrey joins Chloe Moretz in Kick-Ass 2

In 2010 Kick-Ass seemed to come out of nowhere as a rare Rated R superhero flick (for “strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use – some involving children”). Starring Aaron Johnson, Chloë Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, and Nicolas Cage, Kick-Ass defied all expectations. Those taking their kids for a standard superhero film were met with over-the-top violence and a foul-mouthed little girl who killed people with her dad. But those who realized the film wasn’t for kids were met with a crazy and fun action movie with solid performances by Nicolas Cage, Mark Strong, and Superbad’s Chris Mintz-Plasse. But it was the break-out performance for the 13-year-old Chloë Moretz that Kick-Ass will be known for years from now.

Based on the creator-owned comic book series by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr., Layer Cake, Stardust, and X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn gave fans of the series what they wanted–a no-frills look at superheroes who didn’t fit the classic superhero mold.

Now Aaron Johnson returns as the green-suited hero Kick-Ass with sidekick Moretz again as Hit-Girl but taking a lead role in Kick-Ass 2, still Rated R but with a “toned down” rating for merely “strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief nudity.” Chris Mintz-Plasse is back again as the villain Red Mist, and he’s joined by Jim Carrey as a very comic book looking Colonel Stars and Stripes. With Donald Faison as Doctor Gravity, John Leguizamo as Javier, Clark Duke as Battle Guy, and Lindy Booth as Night Bitch, the new preview looks like Kick-Ass 2 has the potential to be a more fleshed out superhero film than the original movie.