17 / PRNewswire-FirstCall / -- LIONSGATE ( ( R ) ) ( NYSE : LGF ) , the leading next generation studio , announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to KICK-ASS , the hotly anticipated action-comedy from writer / director Matthew Vaughn ( LAYER CAKE , STARDUST ) . Based on the groundbreaking , best-selling comic by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr . , KICK-ASS stars Nicolas Cage ( the upcoming SEASON OF THE WITCH , KNOWING , NATIONAL TREASURE ) , rising star Aaron Johnson ( the upcoming NOWHERE BOY ) , Christopher Mintz-Plasse ( SUPERBAD ) and Chloe Moretz ( ( 500 ) DAYS OF SUMMER ) . The screenplay is written by Vaughn and Jane Goldman . The producers are Matthew Vaughn , Brad Pitt , Tarquin Pack and Kris Thykier ; Millar and Romita Jr. are co-producers . The announcement was made today by Joe Drake , Lionsgate President , Motion Picture Group , and Co-Chief Operating Officer , and Jason Constantine , Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions .