Jim Carrey’s ‘Kick-Ass 2′ Costar Says He Doesn’t Understand the Star’s Objection to the Film

Jim Carrey in 'Kick-Ass 2'
Jim Carrey in 'Kick-Ass 2'

Jim Carrey made waves when he announced on Twitter that he would not stand behind his violent comic-book film "Kick-Ass 2," which is slated for release next month. He stated that he filmed his part before the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, and as a result, "[In] all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence." But when Yahoo! Movies checked in with the cast at San Diego Comic-Con, one of Carrey's costars to exception to his protests.

John Leguizamo at Comic-Con
John Leguizamo at Comic-Con

John Leguizamo told us that while he respects Carrey and his right to an opinion, he didn't comprehend why the star would have such a dramatic change of heart. "I love Jim, man. The dude's great; he's entitled to think whatever he's thinking," Leguizamo said. "I just don't understand. When did you realize the movie was violent? I mean, didn't you see the first one? Didn't you read the script? I know you must have read the script! I don't understand."

"Kick-Ass 2" has been rated R by the MPAA for "strong violence, pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and brief nudity," and in the restricted trailer that screened during the Comic-Con panel, there was gunplay and mayhem aplenty. Carrey plays a masked hero called "Colonel Stars and Stripes," who leads a team of costumed vigilantes against the criminal underworld. The Colonel wields a baseball bat and is accompanied by an attack dog, but other characters pack some serious firepower. The Comic-Con preview concludes with Chloe Grace Moretz, playing the teenaged superhero Hit Girl, shooting a van full of bad guys and getting attacked by a villain with an assault rifle.

Leguizamo did make sure to also say he still respects Carrey's right to voice his own opinion. He told Yahoo! Movies, "[Carrey] is a grown man and he's mature he's allowed to do whatever he wants. I'd support him."

Leguizamo's costar Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who returns from the first "Kick-Ass," echoed the sentiment that while he might not agree with Carrey's position, he doesn't begrudge him for speaking out. Mintz-Plasse said, "We worked together one day. But it is what it is, and the man has his opinions and there's nothing we can do about it, so I respect him for staying true."

Not surprisingly, Carrey was not present at the Comic-Con panel, and it isn't clear if he will do any publicity for the film closer to the release. "Kick-Ass 2" arrives in theaters on August 16.

Watch the theatrical trailer for 'Kick-Ass 2':



Kara Warner contributed to this report.