When you think of Jackass, you think of a bunch of brawling bros in a giant shopping trolley, careening down a steep road. Or, ‘bee limo’, in which
When you think of Jackass, you think of a bunch of brawling bros in a giant shopping trolley, careening down a steep road. Or, ‘bee limo’, in which they filled a limo with bees, while their friends were still inside it. Or, Johnny Knoxville getting flipped by an irate bull. But underneath all those daft and perilous pranks, there’s always been a camaraderie to the Jackass crew, one that persists to this day. Hence why the gang returns, one last time, in the upcoming Jackass: Best And Last – which sees them recreate that legendary shopping trolley stunt from the first film.
As member Steve-O puts it, there’s a warmth to Jackass that keeps the team – and the audience – coming back. “It might sound counter-intuitive, but I consider Jackass to be deeply wholesome,” he tells Empire. “I think it’s built into the male DNA to want to be macho and tough, and I think our willingness to not look cool is somehow endearing.”
Over the years, those involved in making the movies (and the original show) have been through ups and downs, with Jackass a constant among it all – and while the core conceit means they’ve never truly grown up, they have matured. “I’m so grateful for the growth in both the franchise and in myself,” says Steve-O. “The trajectory is one of tremendous spiritual growth.” Looking back on the films, he can see significant chapters in his own life. “On the third movie, I was newly sober, which is great, but sobriety is a very slow and uncomfortable process. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. I had not found my voice,” he reflects. “And then on the fourth movie, with so much time having elapsed, I just felt like a butterfly. I just blossomed.” Long live Jackass.
Read Empire’s full Jackass feature in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day issue – on sale Thursday June 4. Pre-order a copy online now. Jackass: Best And Last comes to UK cinemas from June 26.
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