Jackass Forever - What We Know So Far
When "Jackass" debuted on MTV in October 2000, few people could have predicted what an absurdly infectious phenomenon it would soon become. Even today, the mere mention of the show is enough to conjure vivid images of star Johnny Knoxville and his colorful band of rogues injuring themselves in a seemingly never-ending series of increasingly inventive ways.
The original "Jackass" show lasted for just three seasons, but the crew kept on rocking, turning their success into movie form. In 2002, "Jackass: The Movie" took Knoxville's crew to the big screen, and in 2006, they repeated the trick with the characteristically named "Jackass Number Two." In 2010, they could still muster a third full-length outing, "Jackass 3D," after which the franchise drifted a little bit further from its core with two satellite entries: "3D's" 2011 companion piece, "Jackass 3.5," and a Knoxville-starring 2013 spin-off called "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa."
The year is 2021, and the remaining "Jackass" crew is over two decades older than they were at the franchise's conception. Given that their stunts already hurt them back when they were young and limber, many may have assumed that they simply don't have what it takes anymore. Turns out, that's not quite the truth. "Jackass Forever," the latest installment in one of the strangest movie series out there, is very much coming ... and it might just be here sooner than you think. Here's what we know about the release date, cast and plot of "Jackass Forever."
When is the release date of Jackass Forever?
"Jackass 4," as "Jackass Forever" has been known until recently, has been a long time coming ... or, depending on the interview, not coming. In 2016, Steve-O told Uproxx that while the crew remained in touch, some of them were extremely busy, while others were more than ready to jump in the saddle. " Every once in a while an e-mail will be sent to everybody from one of the guys in the cast saying, "Come on! Come on! Let's make a movie. Let's make a movie," he said.
In 2018, the busiest, Hollywood-iest man of them all, Johnny Knoxville, expressed some interest in the idea of another "Jackass" movie, and revealed that they already had an impressive bunch of ideas for it. However, as he told Entertainment Weekly, he had one major caveat. "It's possible, for sure," Knoxville said. "It's not like we're saying no. If we did do a new one, we'd have to bring in some new younger guys — just to bring some fresh blood into it. But it's possible."
Given that both Steve-O and Knoxville expressed serious concern about their physical well-being should the project lurch forward, it was all too easy to take these plans with a pinch of salt. By late 2019, however, it was time to put the shaker down for good, as the movie was a lock for a March 5, 2021 release date (via Entertainment Weekly). Obviously, that has been pushed back a bit, but the movie is still very much on its way. In fact, according to a press release sent to Looper, "Jackass Forever" will premiere on October 22, 2021.
Who's in the cast of Jackass Forever?
"Jackass Forever" does an impressive job at gathering the majority of the core group back for one (presumably) last dance. The franchise's go-to director, Jeff Tremaine, is once again at the helm, and the cast is as "Jackass" as it can be. Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O are both back, and they're joined by franchise veterans Chris Pontius, Jason "Wee Man" Acuña, "Danger" Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, and Dave England.
It looks like Knoxville was very serious about the movie needing fresh faces, seeing as the "Jackass" crew has no less than five new members this time around: Jasper, Rachel Wolfson, Zach Holmes, Eric Manaka, and Sean "Poopies" McInerney — whose "jumping the shark" stunt during "Jackass Shark Week" just went terribly wrong, though fortunately, he survived. There will also be a number of cameos from famous folks, including former "MythBusters" build team member Tory Belleci (via Instagram). Comedian Eric André, who worked with Tremaine on the hidden camera comedy "Bad Trip," has also teased his involvement (via The Film Stage).
Unfortunately, "Jackass" has been a rough ride for its stars, and some familiar faces are missing — most prominently, noted crew members Ryan Dunn and Bam Margera. Dunn and a passenger died in a 130-mph car accident in 2011 (per The Hollywood Reporter). In early 2021, Margera was removed from "Jackass Forever", reportedly because of a contract breach caused by substance abuse (via The Hollywood Reporter).
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What is the plot of Jackass Forever?
Unless "Jackass Forever" is a dramatic departure from the rest of the franchise, the plot of the movie is not so much a "plot" as a series of more or less unconnected stunts, possibly book-ended by a particularly visual and high-concept one at the beginning and end. As such, it's still largely a mystery how the cast will torture themselves and each other this time around, though a few hints have been trickling in.
We know that the movie will quite likely feature a stunt involving a bunch of marching band equipment and a treadmill, because both Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville were hospitalized while filming it (via The Independent). The first-look photos sent to Looper show multiple other scenes of mayhem. You can expect to see Knoxville once again venture inside a bull pen (with predictable results), and get shot from a giant cannon into a body of water. The images also show a curious contraption featuring two plexiglass helmets connected by a tube, and a scene involving mime costumes and a dangerous-looking snake. There's also a strange water tank chair which, according to the official "Jackass" Instagram, features pyro work by "MythBusters" star Tory Belecci.
In other words, expect everything you've learned to expect from "Jackass" — and then some.
"Jackass Forever" will premiere on October 22, 2021.