“It’s pretty much set to go, this fall. I think now Chloe [Grace Moretz] and Chris [Mintz-Plasse] are on board. I’m certainly set up to do it. Jeff Wadlow is to direct. Yeah, I think it’s going to happen.”

Evidently the director of the first movie, Matthew Vaughn, has moved on to bigger and brighter superhero franchises with X-Men: First Class. But Johnson has gone on to confirm that the sequel will retain the hard-R-rated violence that made the first movie so, uh, R-rated. Add to that a likely cameo from Nicolas Cage, and it looks like all the fans of the first Kick-Ass will be mighty pleased with Kick-Ass 2. (The Playlist)

8 photosBlake Lively

Filming begins later this year so hopefully Moore will be able to squeeze in a few more nerd roles before then. (THR)

The Savages is about two California potheads (Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch), whose communal girl-pool Ophelia (Lively) gets kidnapped by a badass Mexican drug cartel, forcing the two top dealers to work for them. And that’s why you shouldn’t do drugs, you guys. Cause bad guys played by Salma Hayek and Benicio Del Toro will come after you and the hot girl you share with your pal. You’ve been warned.

The Savages begins production this July. (Deadline)

The film is about two potheads in Laguna Beach who might ultimately be played by Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch. A badass Mexican drug cartel kidnaps Ophelia, forcing the two top dealers to work for them. My understanding is that nobody cries, “mellow out man,” and Neil Patrick Harris remains uninvolved.

Stone’s first-first choice for Ophelia was Jennifer Lawrence, who chose to play Katniss in The Hunger Games instead, which is thrilling news if you’re anxiously awaiting the next Twilight-y series. However, Stone might not get his second choice either, because Lively is also in talks to star as Glinda the Good Witch in Sam Raimi‘s Oz: The Great and Powerful. Will he have to “settle” for plain ol’ Olivia Wilde or Teresa Palmer?

Man, all this casting talk is making me tense. *Takes Bong Hit* (Variety)

“Keira’s confirmed, Jude Law’s confirmed, Aaron Johnson’s confirmed, Kelly Macdonald’s confirmed, Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed. I’m still waiting on Saoirse and James,” Wright told The Playlist.

Of course, Saoirse and James refers to Seahorse Rainman Saoirse Ronan and James McAvoy. The Wright alums are up for unspecified roles, but it has been revealed that Keira Knightley will play the title role, Jude Law will chill as her drip of a husband, and Aaron Johnson will play the young soldier who she allows to crawl on top of her while naked. When the book was first released, their affair was deemed very illicit by Russian society. So let’s assume things will get pretty kinky. We’re talking Dirty Sanchezes, Glass Bottom Boats, and the potentially-fatal “Cumberbatch.”

The plot concerns Ben and Chon (Johnson and Kitsch), two Laguna marijuana makers who will not take a wacky trip to White Castle. Why leave the house when they both share a sexy girl named O? Unfortunately, like something out of the video games they no doubt play a lot of, O is kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord and are told they have to work for him if they want their “joint” girlfriend (see what I did there) back alive. Del Toro plays the drug lord’s enforcer.

Based on a bestselling novel by Don Winslow, Stone is trying to setup a deal with Universal, though other studios are also interested in toking a bit of this crazy plot. (Deadline)

Oliver Stone wants Johnson to play one of the two leads in the drama Savages, about two pot growers whose sexy communal girlfriend (nice?) gets kidnapped by Mexican mobsters. The drug cartel wants the dudes to work for them, or the girl goes… up in smoke. “Muahaha.” Stone is directing, Shane Salerno (Armageddon) and novel author Don Winslow wrote the script, and they’re looking to shoot this June.

Meanwhile, Keira Knightley beckons Johnson, just like she does for me in my dreams. Johnson’s been offered the lead opposite Knightley in Anna Karenina, writer Tom Stoppard‘s adaptation of the Tolstoy classic novel I might have read in a literature class at some point. The film will be directed by Joe Wright (Atonement). One of the best modern writers adapting a novel considered to be one of the best of all time? Hmm… pass. (Deadline)

Yep, feels about right.

Watch out, young Hollywood dudes and dudettes. Bryan Singer is coming for you. The director is currently in the process of casting his next film, Jack The Giant Killer, and he’s got a few sprightly up-and-comers in his sights. The movie “centers around a war between giants and humans, set off by the kidnapping of a princess, and the young farmer who journeys to the giant kingdom on a rescue mission.” Christopher McQuarrie, of The Usual Suspects awesomeness, wrote the script.

Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass) and Nicholas Hoult (the kid from About a Boy who’s all grown up now) are the lead contenders to wear the farmer overalls. As for the princess, Singer is eying some girls you probably haven’t heard much about. Juno Temple, Adelaide Kane and Lily Collins should all commence polishing their tiaras. But don’t block the boys as they’re putting on their overalls. Yeah, one strap at a time gentleman. Slowly now. (ThePlaylist)

^{Langella never loses a spaghetti tug o’ war.}

Production on Bryan Singer‘s Jack The Giant Killer was slowed down earlier this year when Singer realized that giants do not exist. After scouring Samoa and BBW dating sites for talent, he decided it would just be easier to use computers.  Also in that time, the script was reworked by Christoper McQuarrie and now is in a good enough place to receive the greenlight.

Kick-Ass‘s Aaron Johnson is favored for the lead role of the hero who travels to the land of giants to save a princess. However, Singer also met with Andrew Garfield to discuss the part. Singer’s always had an interesting eye for casting so, if he can evade the studio notes, we could end up with someone completely unexpected in the role. Let’s just hope it doesn’t drag out like all of the Spider-Man reboot. I’m still half-expecting Betty White and Helen Mirren to battle it out for the role of Aunt May. (Deadline)

^Uncanny.

Nicholas Hoult is about to become a favorite amongst furries everywhere. The young actor (About A Boy, A Single Man, "Skins") has accepted the role of young Kelsey Grammer Beast in X-Men: First Class. The role originally went to Benjamin Walker until the studio fired him. And then rehired him. And then he quit. And then he had a light dinner. Followed that with some X-Box before bed.

Also aboard the project is Caleb Landry Jones aka Kid On Bike in No Country For Old Men as Banshee. Speculation is rampant today that Kick-Ass‘s Aaron Johnson will play Cyclops. The news comes from some anonymous guy on the Internet so you know it’s true. Take it from me, another anonymous guy on the Internet. (Deadline)