After experiencing 16, maybe 17 concussions, an orbital fracture, and several broken bones, Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to pain. He’s made a career by putting himself (and his friends) through hell and back thanks to the extreme stunts and pranks performed in the Jackass series. At 51 years old, you’d think Knoxville would be ready to put his Jackass days behind him, but some people also like to stare death in the face and laugh. That’s the type of person Johnny Knoxville is. A rogue in a world where people typically avoid being gored by a raging bull or boxing legendary heavyweight Butterbean in a department store. Speaking with Variety about starring in Hulu’s meta-comedy Reboot and the success of this year’s Jackass Forever, Knoxville revealed whether his days as a merry prankster for the franchise are over.
When asked about the success of Jackass Forever and why he thinks the film was so well-received by critics, Knoxville attributes part of the positive vibes to timing, saying, “Jackass is a lot of things, but mostly it’s honest. And I think people appreciate that. All the pranks are real. The pain is real. The love amongst the guys is real. The fear on the set is real. We have truth on our side.
Also, the critics who write about Jackass now were in middle school or high school when the first one came out. And now they’re in positions of power. They grew up with us. Back when Jackass first came out, people hadn’t seen anything like it before. So I don’t blame them for all the bad reviews.”
Knoxville also painted a picture of the future of Jackass, saying the series isn’t officially retired but that it could rest in the hands of younger members from the prankster collective.
“We never said whether it was or wasn’t [the final film]. That got written somewhere and people ran with it. 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. I would have to step back because my neurologist said I can’t have any more concussions.”
In May, Paramount Global announced the developing of a new Jackass TV series. “Based off the success of Jackass Forever, we’re working with the creators to continue the partnership with a new series, bringing even more ridiculous antics straight to Paramount+,” Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish said at the time.
I’m positive Knoxville, and other members of the Jackass Forever crew think of new stunts all the time. The group probably has a shared Google document with over-the-top stunt ideas if they decide to launch another sequel. I shudder to think of what awaits the next group of jackasses when they set their sights on torturing each other again.
What do you think about the Jackass franchise possibly continuing with younger group members? Would you watch a Jackass movie without the original crew performing most of the stunts? Let us know in the comments.
Feel free to check Variety for the full interview with Knoxville.