The presence of the crowd area (with its R rating) necessitates an expected disclaimer to avoid actual harm, implying that Jackass Forever is ready to bring the establishment to a pinnacle of killing and chaos. Knoxville, Steve-O, and the vast majority of the original Jackass group (short of Bam Margera) have stated that this film will be their final in the series, implying that there is more than a smidgeon of irreversibility about this passage, even as new Jackass selects, such as Jasper Dolphin, stand ready. As the first team to use Jackass 4 as a swansong, they’ll almost certainly be trying to outperform any previous stunts and depart the institution on a high note.
In this regard, Jackass Forever’s R rating and new title are strong indicators that it will be the most shocking and pivotal Jackass ever. Returning to the “stupid little amigos” disclaimer not only harkens back to the heyday of the Jackass empire, but also demonstrates the group’s absolute capitulation as they realise their adventure is coming to an end. While bringing back the first trick cautioning may enrage the establishment’s sceptics, the title change in Jackass 4 is nothing but good news for the R-rated finale’s prospects.
The title change in Jackass 4 is perfect for its R rating — and suggests yet another level of chaos from the stunt team. Jackass 4 will mark the establishment’s swansong as it reunites the zany quartet of Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, and Preston Lacy for one more hurrah in the Jackass film series. The concluding, chaotic trailer for Jackass Forever was released on January 1st, 2022, one month before the film’s release, and gave audiences a better look at a few tricks and a new Jackass disclaimer for the upcoming film.
The final Jackass Forever trailer ends with the warning: ‘The tricks in this film were performed by experts, so neither you nor your idiotic little amigos should attempt anything from this film,’ implying a return to the establishment’s unique disclaimer used in Jackass: The Movie and Jackass Number Two, as well as earlier periods of the MTV series. In any case, after the controversy surrounding the series’ antics attracting copycats across the country in 2001, this somewhat impudent opening line was changed.
“Cautioning: The accompanying show emphasises stunts conducted either by specialists or under the supervision of experts,” the new warning said. MTV and the producers should, if necessary, demand that no one attempt to recreate or re-establish any trick or action seen on the show.” This revised disclaimer version was used in the film Jackass 3 as well as newer episodes of the TV show, which was unexpectedly shifted to a later time due to content concerns at the time.