The "Jackass" crew have been called "the elder statesmen of self-inflicted harm" — but time
catches up with all of us. So now that Johnny Knoxville and company have reached middle age,
is a fifth "Jackass" movie even physically possible for them?
Back in the '90s, Johnny Knoxville wasn't yet the
star we know today. Much like one of his influences, writer Hunter S. Thompson,
Knoxville was up for anything and everything, including testing self-defense equipment on
himself for "Big Brother" magazine. His risk-taking didn't go unnoticed,
and before long the magazine was gaining attention from other like-minded daredevils,
including Steve-O. Soon enough, the likes of Chris Pontius and Jason "Wee Man" Acuña came on board,
bolstered by behind-the-scenes staff such as Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze. This ragtag team
made quirky videos for the early internet, and it didn't take too long before people took notice.
With the prospect of branching out into a television show, a few more talents
were added to the ranks, including skater Bam Margera and his buddy, Ryan Dunn. This proved
to be the final ingredient and, following some network shopping, the crew signed up with MTV.
"Jackass" made its television debut in April 2000 and was a near-overnight success. In no
time at all, Knoxville went from doing random commercials to make ends meet, to posing for
the cover of Rolling Stone. The show's success saw them break out onto the big screen in 2002,
with "Jackass: The Movie." Three more movies would follow, including 2022's "Jackass Forever."
Following the box office success of 2010's "Jackass 3D," the franchise was fairly
dormant for most of the 2010s. The idea of a fourth film never quite went away though,
with many fans still craving more. Sadly, in 2011, cast member Ryan Dunn was killed in a car crash at
the age of 34. This was a tremendous loss for the crew, and his death was especially hard on
Bam Margera, who had already been struggling with substance abuse issues prior to Dunn's passing.
"This is not right. It's not right."
Margera's substance issues returned during the production of "Jackass Forever," as Paramount
Pictures was hesitant to allow him to appear in the film. These fears were later substantiated
when they became a source of conflict between Margera and the film's producers,
including Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, and Johnny Knoxville. Margera even went as far as to publicly
rant about his treatment on Instagram, alleging he was being treated like an animal by the studio.
He also threatened his former friends, resulting in Tremaine slapping Margera with a restraining
order. This resulted in Margera being fired from "Jackass Forever" and, aside from one stunt
and a handful of background appearances, he was removed from the film entirely.
Aside from the very public break-up with Bam Margera, another issue the "Jackass Forever"
crew had to overcome was the COVID-19 pandemic, which had put Hollywood on an indefinite pause.
While most productions simply pumped the brakes until they were allowed to resume,
the "Jackass" crew were given some leeway by Paramount. The studio used the film as
an excuse to see what future productions could achieve during the pandemic. This
was confirmed by Wee Man during an interview on "The Nine Club With Chris Roberts," where
he also explained other ways the pandemic affected production. It seems that the team
wanted to film stuff on location in some exotic locales. However, due to travel restrictions
and the varying nature of COVID-19 testing in different countries, this had to be scrapped.
With the arrival of various vaccines, things regarding COVID-19 have become much more
manageable than they were at the pandemic's peak. So with that hurdle removed, it'll likely be much
easier to film a potential fifth theatrical film, should they decide to pursue it.
"Jackass Forever" really did feel like a changing of the guard for the series,
especially when it came to the cast. While most of the original cast was back for another round,
this entry also introduced some new blood — predominantly because many of the original crew
couldn't push themselves as hard as they used to. The new cast featured Sean "Poopies" McInerney,
Zach Holmes, Jasper Dolphin, Eric Manaka, and Rachel Wolfson. This means that "Jackass Forever"
saw not only its first Black cast members but its first female cast member as well.
Change is never easy for any long-running franchise but in this instance, the new additions
didn't feel forced or reductive in any way. None of them felt out of place and it even allowed for
some fresh reactions to things that perhaps the old cast might've been desensitized to. "Jackass"
has always been a series built off of youthful vigor, so this development makes absolute sense,
and could see the franchise continuing even when the OGs are no longer part of the crew.
When it comes to the cast of "Jackass," you'd be hard-pressed to find a member more dedicated than
Steve-O. From swimming with sharks to bungee jumping in an excrement-loaded porta potty,
Steve-O is the "Jackass" crew's indispensable man.
However, that doesn't mean it's always been peaches and cream for Steve-O. Both the third
and fourth films were especially hard for the self-proclaimed Wild Boy for different reasons.
"Jackass 3D" was Steve-O's first production after achieving his sobriety — something the
crew all helped him with. Despite his lifestyle transition, Steve-O was still as gung ho as ever.
When it came to "Jackass Forever" though, Steve-O said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly
that it was "kind of a bummer." He went on to explain that this attitude stemmed from
seeing what Johnny Knoxville was still subjecting himself to physically at his
age. He specifically referred to a stunt that involved Knoxville being charged into by a bull,
which resulted in severe brain damage. Steve-O told the outlet:
"It's not fun to watch Knoxville get hit in the head anymore."
"So what happened after it hit me?"
"Dude, it's gnarly."
As a result, it seems unlikely we'll see Steve-O — or possibly any member of
the "Jackass" crew — in a fifth feature film. However, we may see them join forces for some
other project. Speaking with CinemaBlend in August 2023, the daredevil explained,
"I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of project reunited us again,
but I wouldn't bet on there being another movie."
The "Jackass" movies have always been a bit of an anomaly, as you wouldn't expect films of their
caliber to amass positive buzz from the press. However, with the exception of the first film,
all of the main theatrical films have positive Rotten Tomatoes scores. "Jackass Forever" stands
as the highest-rated entry in the entire series and it isn't hard to see why. Nick
Schager of Esquire described the original cast as "elder statesman of self-inflicted
harm" — which is an apt description if we've ever heard one. Schager also wrote:
"In a pandemic era of extreme caution and fear,
it's a welcome relief to watch Knoxville and the rest risk life and limb for the sheer hell of it."
Many critics seemed to share the same sentiment, with Brett Doze of InSession Film saying,
"I'm not going to pretend there is some thought-provoking, underlying message
that wasn't there before, but I certainly did enjoy laughing my ass off with these friends."
That ultimately might just be the appeal of these movies — the feeling of reconnecting
with something or someone from your past.
With "Jackass Forever" being both a critical
and commercial success, many have wondered if "Jackass 5" will be happening. Sadly,
as of September 2023, very little has been said about a fifth film,
aside from a few scant comments. The "Jackass" films aren't like other movies,
as they don't have a screenplay or even a three-act narrative. As opposed to a plot,
the movies are more of an eclectic compilation of crazy stunts and pranks of varying scales.
"My god."
"Are you crying?"
"I think he's hurt."
Additionally, many of the best moments in the films aren't even planned,
with several highlights originating as something thought up on the spot. An example of this would
be the "Rocky" prank from "Jackass 3D," wherein Bam Margera would surprise someone with a splash
of water and a punch to the head. You can't script or coordinate spontaneity like that, and this is
a key factor in the films. If a fifth "Jackass" movie was announced, we probably wouldn't see a
scrap of footage from it for a very long time. However, when and if that day finally comes,
you can rest assured that hardcore fans of the series will be waiting with bated breath.
Much of the "Jackass" franchise's DNA stems from Johnny Knoxville. From its
humble origins to what it has become, the man is undoubtedly the series' figurehead.
Though it might be a head that has been rattled by a few sizable concussions,
it's still one that has helped steer the ship since the beginning.
Any mentions of a potential fifth entry have been limited,
with Knoxville himself providing the closest thing to an update.
In an interview with Variety, Knoxville addressed the future of the series, saying,
"We never said whether it was or wasn't [the final film]. [...] If we did continue, we would lean on
the younger cast more and the old guys would take a little step back but still be a part of it."
"There may be another Jackass, there may not be."
Addressing his own part in a possible "Jackass 5," Knoxville went on to add,
"I would have to step back because my neurologist said I can't have any more concussions."
Knoxville is the lynchpin of the show, and even if he did have to step back from some
of the more physically demanding stunts, it still would be great to see him play a part. After all,
"Jackass" wouldn't be the same without Knoxville's infectious cackling.
"Right?! God help me, I love it."
Throughout the "Jackass" series and movies,
we've seen different stunts and pranks that the crew has pulled off. With acts
of lewd depravity and rampant insanity, they've elicited both hysterical laughter
and visceral disgust in equal measure. We've seen Johnny Knoxville take to the
sky on a big red rocket and Steve-O perform the grossest bungee jump anyone has seen.
Most of us would flee at the mere thought of attempting acts like this, but the "Jackass"
crew will do it with a smile on their faces. There have also been pranks of varying scales as well,
including a limousine packed with a swarm of bees, as well as a comically giant hand to smack people.
Needless to say, the creative juices have always been flowing behind the scenes on "Jackass."
With "Jackass Forever" bringing us things such as a shock collar game involving a bear,
and pogo sticks to the nether regions, where can they go from here? With people becoming
increasingly desensitized, the crew will need to find creative ways to up the ante.
With the prospect of a fifth "Jackass" film not disappearing anytime soon, we need to consider
who would be returning for another round. While perhaps in less of a hands-on role,
Johnny Knoxville would likely return as the maniacal leader spearheading the whole thing.
Long-serving cast members including Wee Man, Steve-O, and Chris Pontius have also appeared in
all of the theatrical releases so far, so it is hoped they would also sign up for more madness.
There is also the ever-loyal supporting cast of Dave England, Preston Lacy,
and Danger Ehren — three men who've never had issues going above the call of duty.
From being used as human football goals to playing beehive tetherball,
they've always thrown themselves headfirst into whatever was needed.
However, as "Jackass Forever" showed us, the old guard seems to be passing the torch to a
new generation of untrained stunt performers. These fresh faces each have a clear love for
the series, many of them having grown up with it in the early '00s. It seems that
as long as there are people bold enough to push themselves to the very limit,
then the spirit of "Jackass" will never die. Whether for a fifth film or for another series,
it remains to be seen whether we will see more from our favorite pranksters or not.