How Quentin Tarantino Stopped Brad Pitt’s Wild Superhero Turn

Brad Pitt has been a fixture in the film industry for decades, but he’s never really been one for donning a cape or tights. While he’s had a cheeky cameo in Deadpool 2 and lent his voice to Megamind, Pitt’s mostly steered clear of comic book blockbusters, preferring roles that win over critics and keep things interesting.

Back in the late 2000s, though, Pitt came close to making a proper splash in the superhero world. When Kick-Ass—the adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr’s comic—started making waves in Hollywood, Pitt was reportedly in the running to play Big Daddy, a masked vigilante with a dark streak, not unlike a certain caped crusader. The film, directed by Matthew Vaughn, needed a big name to balance out its teenage lead, and Pitt, who’d already worked with Vaughn on Snatch, seemed like a top pick.

Here’s a quick look at Kick-Ass:

Film: Kick-Ass (2010)
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicolas Cage, Chloë Grace Moretz, Garrett M. Brown
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
IMDb: 7.6/10
Runtime: 1h 57m

Quentin Tarantino’s Offer Changes Everything

Matthew Vaughn was keen to get a big star on board for his offbeat, violent take on the superhero genre. Pitt was almost locked in for the role of Big Daddy, but then Quentin Tarantino came knocking. Tarantino offered Pitt the part of Lt. Aldo Raine in Inglourious Basterds—a role that promised plenty of awards buzz and creative freedom. Pitt, always up for a challenge and a bit of prestige, decided to go with Tarantino’s project instead.

Once Pitt committed to Inglourious Basterds, he was out of the running for Kick-Ass. That scheduling clash quietly shut the door on what could have been Pitt’s most outrageous role yet, in a film that was already raising eyebrows for its over-the-top violence and dark humour.

Nicolas Cage Steps In as Studios Get Cold Feet

With Pitt gone, Kick-Ass suddenly became a tough sell. Studios were nervous about the film’s brutal action, colourful language, and its refusal to play by the usual superhero rules. At the time, punters expected their comic book films to be family-friendly, but Kick-Ass was anything but.

Without a major star attached, the project started to wobble. That’s when Nicolas Cage entered the scene. Unlike Pitt, Cage was a self-confessed comic book tragic who loved taking on oddball roles. He saw something special in Big Daddy and was keen to jump in.

Cage’s Big Bet Pays Off

Cage’s decision to sign on changed the game for Matthew Vaughn. His involvement helped secure funding and gave the film a bit of credibility. In the end, Kick-Ass still managed to shock audiences, just as the studios had feared, but Cage’s performance gave the chaos a bit of heart. He turned Big Daddy into one of the most memorable characters in the R-rated superhero world.

What’s your take on Pitt choosing Tarantino’s war epic over a wild superhero flick? Let us know your thoughts below.

Kick-Ass is available to stream on Plex.