A couple weeks ago, we reported that Universal was close to green-lighting Kick-Ass 2 written and directed by Jeff Wadlow (Never Back Down), and produced by Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn. At the Kapow! Comic Convention, Wadlow confirmed that shooting would begin in September. However, he added that Chloe Moretz had not officially signed on to reprise her role as Hit-Girl, which may be a bit of a problem since Wadlow had significantly expanded the character’s role from what it was in Mark Millar‘s comic series.

Hit the jump for more on Wadlow’s plans for adapting Kick-Ass 2.

Speaking to the audience at Kapow! [via CBM], Wadlow says the movie will have more of an emotional story to tell (it doesn’t surprise me that Millar’s comic lacks one):

I think the most important thing that’s gonna change from the Kick-Ass 2 comic to Kick-Ass 2 the movie was just really finding an emotional story to tell. Because what I certainly loved about the first film, and what I think elevated it above most comic book adaptations, is the heart and the emotion in the film. It was sort of my challenge as the film maker and storyteller to find something as emotional in the second film and I think we have some stuff that people are gonna really respond to.

More than the emotions of the first movie, audiences really responded to Hit-Girl, and Wadlow talked about how the character has a much bigger role in his script than she does in the book:

If you’ve read the comic, you know, she gives up being Hit-Girl, which was a brilliant idea I thought on Mark’s part. It’s something I explore something quiet deeply in the movie because what happens in the comic is she sort of steps away from the story in many ways and she’s sort of sidelined while Dave is working with Justice Forever and Chris is becoming the Mother[frick]er. But I was quite interested in what happens to her when she’s not being Hit-Girl. Her story is a major, major part of the film and she’s excited about the ideas and we’re in talks.

It would be great to see Moretz return, but her career has exploded since playing Hit-Girl in 2010. In that time, she’s landed lead roles in Let Me In and Hick, and played major supporting roles in Hugo and Dark Shadows. Moretz is now set to lead the remake of Carrie, she might play the title character in the zombie film Maggie, and this summer she’s shooting a supporting role in the Dennis Wilson biopic The Drummer. Since Carrie already has a March 15, 2013 release date, that movie would have to shoot in late July-August if Moretz wants to do Kick-Ass 2. Of course, if Wadlow is so intent on Moretz returning, then he may have to push back the start date of Kick-Ass 2 to accommodate the talented young actress’ busy schedule.