The Kick-Ass ultra-violence superhero series has been confused with controversy and praise, criticism and box office success since the release of its first film in 2010. Based on the comic book of the same name created by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., the Kick-Ass series tells the story of an ordinary teenager, Dave Lizewski, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who sets out to become a real-life superhero called Kick-Ass.

Kick-Ass 2
The Kick-Ass series follows DIY superhero schoolkids, Hit-Girl (second from left) and Kick-Ass (second from right)

Just like all other comic book film adaptations out at the moment, the series wants to continue: but is Kick-Ass 3 a good idea?

Kick-Ass was released in 2010 and was successful, both critically and financially. The Guardian described the movie as "like an explosion in a bad taste factory... Kick-Ass is a thoroughly outrageous, jaw-droppingly violent and very funny-riff on the quasi-porn world of comic books - except that there is absolutely no "quasi-" about it."

However, this "bad taste explosion" was not greeted warmly by all critics and an uncensored preview clip was attacked by family advocacy groups for its display of violence and the level of profanity liberally used by the film’s schoolgirl character, Hit-Girl, played by Chloe Grace Moretz who was only 11-years-old at the time.

MORE: Chloe Grace Moretz Can't Buy Designer Clothes

Despite content controversy of the original, Kick-Ass 2 pushed forward and the second outing in the franchise was released in 2013. Actors who played Kick-Ass, Hit-Girl and Red Mist signed up again and Jim Carrey got on board the project as Justice Forever leader, Colonel Stars and Stripes.

All ready to go, Kick-Ass 2 was hit by a promotional problem when Carrey withdrew his support for the film just a few months before its release following the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, in which 20 pupils and six staff were killed in December 2012 by 20-year-old gunman, Adam Lanza.

The BBC reported that Carrey, well-known as a supporter of gun control measures, tweeted: "I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence." Comic creator, Mark Millar, responded on his website Millarworld: "Like Jim, I’m horrified by real-life violence (even though I’m Scottish), but Kick-Ass 2 isn’t a documentary."

MORE: Kick-Ass 2 Violence Shocks Critics

Upon release, Kick-Ass 2 suffered critically with Rotten Tomatoes summing up: "Kick-Ass 2 falls short in its attempt to emulate the original’s unique blend of ultra-violence and ironic humour." While doing well at the box office, it did not beat the gross total of its predecessor.

Kick-Ass 2
Hit-Girl, played by Chloe Grace Moretz, was criticised for extensive profanities in Kick-Ass

Of course, talk of a third instalment was prominent during Kick-Ass 2 pre-production as the film maker’s flew high on the success of Kick-Ass and with confidence in their second outing. However, enthusiasm for Kick-Ass 3 waned and creator, Mark Millar, recently admitted a third instalment was "up in the air".

MORE: Jim Carrey Offers Words Of Wisdom With Inspirational Graduation Speech

With the right script and a resurgence of the brilliant balance between ultra-violence and sartorial comedy seen in the first film, Kick-Ass 3 has the potential to defy critics and put this comic franchise back on a firm footing.

However, if it’s not absolutely outstanding, a third outing could get drowned in criticism with box office figures also sinking amongst the controversy.