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

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 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.