Jackass producer, director and co-writer, Jeff Tremaine, has been granted a temporary restraining order against long-time cast member, Bam Margera. Over the course of the past several months, Margera’s struggles with substance abuse have resulted in his expulsion from the upcoming Jackass 4, leaving the 41-year-old former pro-skater disgruntled.
From its earliest beginnings, Jackass clearly had what it took to get people’s attention. Originally a sort of one-off for the long since defunct skateboard magazine, Big Brother, the concept was the brainchild of Johnny Knoxville, filmmaker Spike Jonze, and Tremaine. In time, Tremaine recruited Margera, who was filming stunt, prank and skate videos with his friends – several of whom have since become part of the Jackass crew. The Jackass TV series ran on MTV from 2000 to 2003, with the first feature length film arriving in 2002. Given the intensity of some of the stunts performed, as well as, the inevitable effects of aging on the cast, few people thought that Jackass could maintain the level of popularity that it had achieved early on. Not only has the franchise persisted, however, but over twenty years after it first began, the Jackass crew are set to hit the big screen once again with Jackass 4.
While news of yet another Jackass film was initially cause for celebration among fans, the issues surrounding Margera have cast a dark cloud over the legendary franchise. Margera’s rantings on his social media accounts have made it clear that he feels slighted by his friends and now, as Page Six has reported, Tremaine has been forced to acquire a temporary restraining order against the Jackass star. According to Tremaine, Margera has sent him a series of texts threatening him and his children and has made numerous comments via social media. Margera is now prohibited from contacting Tremaine, and he must stay at least 100 yards away from Tremaine, his wife and his children.
From the sounds of it, Margera’s entire beef with Tremaine comes exclusively from his dismissal during the filming of Jackass 4. Having previously insisted that Tremaine as well as Knoxville “tortured” him by enforcing a strict zero substance rule during filming, Margera was expected to undergo regular urine tests and breathalyzers in order to remain a part of Jackass 4. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to remain sober and was dismissed from the upcoming film. Margera’s absence in Jackass 4 marks the first time since the franchise began that he hasn’t been part of a film. Fans are undoubtedly upset over his absence from the film, but the issue is a complex one – especially for the rest of the Jackass crew and Tremaine, who avoided legal means until Margera began threatening his children.
Margera’s substance abuse and depression have been a public issue ever since his best friend and former Jackass cast member, Ryan Dunn, was killed in 2011. That tragedy stunned the Jackass crew and fans alike, but a decade on, and Margera’s state is worse than ever. There have been numerous attempts beyond what was in place during Jackass 4’s production to lift Margera out of his current state, but to date, nothing has worked. Hopefully Margera will be able to get healthy once again, but as things stand, it’s heartbreaking watching him turn on his best friends in this way.
Source: Page Six