The Jackass crew is set to perform a variety of shark related stunts on an upcoming Discovery Channel special during Shark Week. Since its MTV debut in 2000, Jackass has become a global phenomenon, with countless stunt imitators having popped up in both professional and amateur capacities. Loathed by some, idolized by others, there’s no denying that the Jackass team has forged a substantial daredevil reputation over the past two decades.
Despite this fame and widespread recognition, however, one of the last times audiences were able to see the crew on the big screen was all the way back in 2010. Jackass 3D took the cast’s stunts and gave them new life in a way that no one had ever seen before. But it wasn’t long after the film’s release that tragedy struck. Cast member Ryan Dunn was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2011, leaving a tremendous hole in the foundation that built Jackass. What’s more, Dunn’s death continues to have a profound effect on best friend and fellow Jackass star, Bam Margera. Perhaps then, this extremely difficult turn of events is why audiences haven’t seen a new Jackass feature for so long, with the most recent, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, coming out in 2013. Fortunately, Jackass 4 is on its way, and in the lead up to its release, it’s starting to look like viewers will have some additional surprises to tide them over.
With the Discovery Channel set to kick off a new edition of its famed Shark Week on July 11, a quick look at the schedule reveals what will arguably be the event’s best offering. Per EW, the Jackass Shark Week Special will bring Jackass co-founder Johnny Knoxville as well as fan favorites Steve-O, Chris Pontius, and some new cast members into a variety of shark related situations. The special will air on the first day of Shark Week (July 11) at 10 PM/ET. Check out the official synopsis below:
Johnny Knoxville sends Steve-O, Chris Pontius, and new Jackass cast members on a Shark Week mission for the ages. They’ll dial up a series of shark stunts that test their bravery and threshold of pain as they put common shark myths to the test with the help of Dr. Craig O’Connell.
According to Steve-O, the new special had “consequences,” which can only mean one thing when Jackass gets mixed up with sharks: pain. Thankfully it won’t just be the cast testing their own limits of recklessness, since it sounds like the special is also aiming to provide a little bit of education on the mysteries surrounding sharks. But while the entire thing sounds like fun, some viewers might be a little confused as to why Steve-O (who is a vegan) is performing stunts that include animals. Since choosing the animal-cruelty free lifestyle, he has vowed not to take on any animal-related stunts. It’s still too early to accuse Steve-O of going back on his word, however, as there are still numerous stunts he can perform without troubling any of the deep sea predator friends.
At present, Jackass 4 is set to release on October 22, 2021, so the team's Shark Week appearance is well-timed to increase excitement for the film. Although Jackass 4 will be different than all the other Jackass films that came before it, the upcoming Jackass Shark Week Special will provide a short but sweet look into the sort of insanity that the new movie will most certainly offer. Hopefully, it teases a fun big screen return for the Jackass franchise.
Source: EW