‘Jackass’ Icons Steve-O And Chris Pontius Talk More Movies And The R-Rated Merchandise They’d Love To See

“I believe this is my first time speaking with Forbes, and I’ve got to say, it’s the most exciting interview of the day, so thank you,” enthused Steve-O as we discussed Jackass Forever.

That’s what happens when your movie, the fourth film in a multimillion-dollar franchise, grosses $80 million against a $10 million budget and is one of the year’s most favorably reviewed movies.

When Jackass Forever landed in theaters in February 2022, it had been a decade since the last straight Jackass film. The latest entry brought back iconic legacy names, including Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and Chris ’Party Boy’ Pontius. It also introduced a new generation of faces willfully inflicting hilarious harm on themselves for our entertainment.

I caught up with Steve-O and Pontius to chat about Jackass’ continued popularity and success, merchandise, and the movie’s unique adult marketing.

Simon Thompson: First of all, congratulations on the box office for Jackass Forever. Are you surprised or relieved by the response it got from audiences and critics?

Steve-O: On a commercial level, had it not been number one at the box office, that would have been devastating to us because every single one of the movies we’ve ever made has been number one. With respect to the amount of money it brought in, I believe it’s just a bummer how much Covid has dampened the box office revenue. Were it not for the fact that we opened up against a blockbuster with a budget of $146 million and made double the money that movie did, I don’t know that there would have been anything quite so notable to say about our film. Still, we’re pleased that it was number one and well-received.

Chris Pontius: I’m just stoked that people got out and into theaters with Covid going on. That was a big fear. I’m sure it would have been even better if it weren’t going on, but I’m stoked about how well it did. I’m thrilled. Hopefully, the bad times are behind us, and now people can watch it at home. I just want as many people to see it as possible because we’re so proud of the movie. I think it’s one of our best ones, and we have the best stunts that we’ve ever done, and I’m excited for people who haven’t had the chance to see it and enjoy it, no matter where they are.

Thompson: There is still clearly a hunger for what you guys are serving up, so have you started talking about a sequel yet?

Steve-O: I haven’t heard anything about a fifth Jackass movie, but nothing would shock me anymore at this point. Ten years went by, and then suddenly, Johnny Knoxville spoke up, saying that he wanted to make a fourth movie. After that, nothing will shock me.

Pontius: As long as people ask for it, we’d be up for doing it because we are going to be doing stupid stuff anyway. So, as long as the world wants it and the world needs it, we’ll be able to give it to them if everyone involved is up for it. I know I am.

Thompson: Merchandising continues to be a big part of marketing movies. Has anybody come to you with a ridiculous idea or one you loved, but it never happened?

Steve-O: I had the harebrained idea to get Steve-O condoms made, and I tried to inject this Steve idea into a bit in the movie. The bit was a failure, as was the concept for Steve-O condoms. To be honest, Steve-O and condoms have never been a good mix (laughs).

Pontius: There have been a few pieces of merchandise made. For instance, a brewery made a Party Boy beer without my consent one time. A few products have been made without us involved, but I have something in the works with a Pontiusaurus Rex doll, and I think that needs to happen. It’ll be considered a toy so whatever you want to do with it is up to you. Surprisingly they’ve made butt plugs out of stranger things.

Steve-O: Is this thing you have in the works with the Pontiusaurus something you can do separately from Paramount, or are you doing it with them? I mean, are there no copyright implications?

Pontius: No, there are no copyright implications on it. Me and Jeff Tremaine, our director, talked about it yesterday.

Steve-O: I say take that dog to the bank.

Pontius: Every day, I get asked hundreds of times, ‘Where can I get one?’ So it has to get made.

Thompson: How did it feel to have your genitals as a dinosaur, the Pontiusaurus Rex, immortalized in Leicester Square in central London? That’s a thing that actually happened to promote Jackass Forever.

Pontius: (Laughs) Having it in central London made me so happy. When that idea came through, and it actually happened, it made me so proud. I wish I could have been there to see it. It’s seriously one of the proudest moments of my life, as silly as it is. London is so awesome for allowing it to happen. I don’t know if we could have done that here. I’m sure they tried, but that stoked me out to see people gathered around it, taking pictures, and children playing in front of the Pontiusaurus. It was hilarious.

Jackass Forever is available on Digital now and to buy on Blu-ray and DVD from Tuesday, April 19, 2022.