Three studios are competing to buy the film adaptation of Mark Millar’s creator-owned title Kick-Ass.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate, Paramount and Universal are all interested in the movie.

The film, directed and financed by Matthew Vaughan (Stardust), previewed last month at Comic-Con International.

There were no studios willing to pick up the film during the script stage, finding the dialogue too profane and the action too violent.

Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz star in the film, which tells the tale of teenager Dave Lizewski, who decides to become a real-life superhero. It was co-written by Jane Goldman (Stardust), the wife of television presenter Jonathan Ross.

The comic is published by Marvel Comics imprint Icon Comics.

The film is expected to be released next year.