Since Kick-Ass writer Mark Millar is a proven perpetual liar, we’ve tried our best to steer clear regarding any sort of rumors on the continuation of the franchise X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn kicked off. Just about every few months there has been talks of it shooting soon, but now our first solid information has come in thanks to Deadline.

Lionsgate is said to be handing over the franchise (via Vaughn) to Universal Pictures, who have brought on director Jeff Wadlow, who helmed the high school fighting movie Never Back Down and the horror film Cry_Wolf. Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse are also expected to return.

From the sounds of it, the studio looks to be doing this movie on the cheap to please the fanbase. While I dug the first film, the on-and-off again nature of the sequel has made much of my interest disappear. I’ll be surprised if Wadlow, who wrote the script, brings as much style to the project as Vaughn, but for those heavily anticipating this project, it’s your lucky day.

Production is hoping to kick off this August, with a 2013 release.

Are you surprised Kick-Ass 2 is actually happening?