Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Lyndsy Fonseca, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse have signed on to star in Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming adaptation of “Kick-Ass” – based on Mark Millar’s violent comic book.

The comic was released through Marvel Comics’ Icon imprint. It was written by Millar with pencils handled by John Romita Jr., according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The story follows a high school loser named Dave Lizewski who chooses to become a superhero – even though he lacks any powers, athletic skills, or balance.

Johnson has signed for the role of the high school kid with Fonseca handling the love of his life – who is under the impression he is gay. Cage will handle the role of a former cop who is trying to take down a drug kingpin and has trained his daughter to be a living weapon.

Vaughn and Kris Thykie are producing the movie through their Marv Films label with David Reed.

The movie is being independently financed – reportedly due to studios not being happy with the bloody violence of the project. It is scheduled to start shooting this fall with locations in London and Toronto.