This weekend, Collider got to participate in the press junket for Savages, the new film from three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone. Based on Don Winslowâs best-selling novel, the story follows two Laguna Beach entrepreneurs, Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch), and their shared girlfriend O (Blake Lively), who run a very lucrative business selling some of the best marijuana ever developed, which attracts the unwanted interest of the Mexican Baja Cartel. For more on the film, you can watch six clips here.While we will run the interviews about the film closer to its July 6th release in theaters, we did want to share what actor Aaron Johnson had to say to us about finally going into production on the Kick-Ass sequel, which is set to shoot in the Fall. He said that he has gotten to see a script, that it keeps the standard hard R feel of the first film, and that heâs excited to get back in the suit. He also addressed the recent statement that American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis made on Twitter about how he would be a good choice for the male lead in the film adaptation of the much-talked-about erotic novel, 50 Shades of Grey. Check out what he had to say after the jump.Collider: Since thereâs been talk of it again, will there finally be a Kick-Ass sequel?AARON JOHNSON: Itâs pretty much set to go, this Fall. I think now Chloe [Grace Moretz] and Chris [Mintz-Plasse] are on board. Iâm certainly set up to do it. Jeff Wadlow is to direct. Yeah, I think itâs going to happen.Have you gotten to see a script yet?JOHNSON: Yeah, I have.Will it be a hard R, as far as the rating goes?JOHNSON: Oh, yeah! It keeps the standard, from the first film.Are you surprised at how much people have been asking for a sequel to that film, really since the release of the first one?JOHNSON: Yeah, and I think thatâs why Matthew Vaughn has got his name all over this one, as well. The only way he was ever going to make a sequel was if it could be anywhere close to the first one, and keep that class and that quality, and just maintain something original and new and refreshing. And this script delivers all of that, right now. Iâm excited to get back in the suit. Have you heard the recent talk about American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis vying on Twitter to do the screenplay adaptation for 50 Shades of Grey, and that he said heâd love to have a real actor, like you or Ryan Gosling for the male lead, with someone like David Cronenberg directing? Is it surreal to know that you have a certain level of visibility now that someone like Bret Easton Ellis respects your work and is thinking about you in that role?JOHNSON: You can only be very grateful. Itâs great when talented people in the world, in the same business, can see your work and compliment you on what youâre doing and take a strong interest in the movements in your career. It is very great to see that. At least it keeps the studio heads thinking, as well. Maybe it makes you a bit more bankable. I donât know.
Aaron Johnson Talks KICK-ASS 2; Says Filming Begins This Fall and It'll Be Rated R
Aaron Johnson talks KICK-ASS 2 Sequel, confirms he'll return with Chloe Grace Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasses and says it keeps the "hard R feel"