The Spinner Rack

The mini-major has committed to a wide 2010 release.

Lionsgate was an aggressive bidder, stepping up with not only a competitive number but the grit to market the irreverent, violent movie. The distrib has done well with violent horror pics, including the"Saw" franchise, though it has seen less success with comic-based properties such as "The Punisher" and "The Spirit."

While none of the parties involved would divulge financial details, some sources say the value of the entire domestic package could be close to $45 million.

A deal for the pic's foreign rights has yet to be made. Studios including Paramount, Fox and Universal have been in the mix. The latter two also looked at the domestic rights.

"Kick-Ass" is based on a comicbook by Mark Millar ("Wanted") and John Romita Jr. about a comics-obsessed teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero, Kick-Ass, despite a decided lack of superpowers. Vaughn co-wrote the script with his "Stardust" writing partner Jane Goldman. (The scribes also have John Madden-helmed"The Debt" in post at Miramax.)

Cast includes Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and "Superbad's" Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Johnson, who plays the titular lead.

U.S. distribs got their first peek at a rough cut of "Kick-Ass" on July 28, a few days after the fanboys at Comic-Con saw clips of the film and gave it their blessing.

Producers on "Kick-Ass" are Vaughn, Brad Pitt, Tarquin Pack and Kris Thykier. Millar and Romita Jr. are co-producers. Vaughn's Marv Films shingle and Brad Pitt's Plan B produced and financed the project with a group of private investors.

The New York Post announced that Ol’ Webhead will be returning after a decade’s hiatus.

” ‘When is Spider-Man coming back?’ is a question that has been shouted from sidelines each and every year we inflate our helium giants on Thanksgiving eve,” parade executive producer Robin Hall told the Post.

The balloon ran from 1987 and was retired after 1998. This retooled balloon is slated to go through at least 2011. read on for the Official Press Release

Millions of New Yorkers will feel their Spider-senses tingling this November when New York’s own neighborhood Super Hero™, Marvel’s Spider-Man, makes a triumphant return to the skies over Manhattan to ensnare a new generation of fans in the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. After a decade, Thursday, November 26, 2009, marks the date when more than 3.5 millions spectators and over 50 million viewers nationwide will catch Spidey-fever as the ever popular Super Hero returns to the Macy’s Parade line-up.

Marvel’s legendary crime-fighting web-slinger made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic. Hailed by spectators, amateur photographers and millions of the Super Hero’s fans, the Spider-Man balloon became an icon of the Parade’s signature giant character balloon line-up. Flown in the holiday spectacle for twelve years, the balloon was retired following the 1998 procession. The new Spider-Man balloon debuting in this year’s Macy’s Parade combines the classic pose of the previous giant – his arms outstretched in front of him and his legs bent behind in full crawling mode – but this time it will feature Spidey’s classic web-slinging pose coupled with a more modern look. The Spider-Man balloon will be a part of the Macy’s Parade through 2011.

“Spider-Man’s return to the Macy’s Balloon line-up this year is an event of seismic magnitude,” says Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Marvel’s iconic character, which flew for over a decade in the ‘80s and ‘90s was one of the most memorable balloons in Macy’s long Parade history.” Hall continued, “When is Spider-man coming back? is a question that has been shouted from the sidelines each and every year we inflate our helium giants on Thanksgiving eve. This new, updated balloon, featuring a modern, more defined Spider-Man, will fill a huge void for Parade devotees and will undoubtedly seize the imaginations of a whole new generation of fans.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Spider-Man back to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a landmark event that millions anticipate each year. The enduring popularity of New York’s own friendly neighborhood Super Hero has only grown since the last time he appeared in the Parade and we are certain the new Spider-Man balloon will delight both long-time fans and new audiences alike,” said Simon Philips President, Worldwide Consumer Products for Marvel Entertainment.

“With anticipation for the upcoming release of Spider-Man 4 reaching a fever pitch, the timing couldn’t be better to bring back the Spider-Man balloon in this year’s Macy’s Parade,” said Juli Boylan for Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P – the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.

The 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and is broadcast nationally on NBC-TV, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., in all time zones.