“Donkey” has made its intrepid cast known, but not all of its stars remain on good terms. Bam Margerawho has been estranged from some key characters in the franchise for several years, did not attend or participate in the premiere of the final film.
Margera wondered if a reunion was possible and where he stood. Johnny Knoxville And Jeff Tremaine following their dispute which escalated in court.
Bam Margera not open to a ‘Jackass’ reunion
“Jackass: Best and Last,” released in late June, marked the final film in the franchise. As old and new actors reunited on the red carpet, Bam Margera was noticeably absent.
As previously reported The explosionhis parents, April and Phil, attended the premiere and had high hopes that their son would eventually reconnect with Johnny Knoxville and “Jackass” director Jeff Tremaine after their years-long breakup.
In an interview with rolling stoneHowever, Margera apparently has no plans to reconnect with the “Jackass” cast, especially the two people he believes wronged him. He began his statement by saying he would definitely watch the final film, but when it came to a reunion with the cast, he said, “It’s not going to happen, not in 10 million years.”
The skateboarder closed the door on Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine
Although he firmly shut down talks of a reunion with the cast, Margera said he has no “bad blood” with them. April and Phil also confirmed that their son has a good relationship with all of the cast except Knoxville and Tremaine.
“These are just the decisions that Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine decided to make. I never want to see them again in my life. Enough is enough,” he told the magazine.
In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer in June, Margera said he had agreed to have the production use old footage of him for the final film, but he refused to participate in new stunts. He also shared that he declined the invitation to attend the premiere because he didn’t want to see anyone and he also didn’t want to do interviews.
Bam Margera felt he was doomed to failure
The fallout began before the release of “Jackass: Forever,” the fourth film. During 2019, production on the film began, but Margera’s $5 million contract included a welfare agreement. The skateboarder struggled with substances and alcohol, and was asked to commit to sobriety throughout filming. “I already knew they were setting me up to fail,” he shared.
He was given a breathalyzer and urine tests to confirm he was sober. In 2020, however, one of his tests came back positive for amphetamines and he was subsequently fired from the film. In her defense, Margera said it was a prescription medication for her ADHD, but the decision was made. “I was very angry,” Margera said.
The skateboarder sued MTV, Paramount Pictures, Knoxville, Tremaine and producer Spike Jonze for wrongful termination and medical discrimination. He dropped the lawsuit in 2022 after the parties reached agreement on an out-of-court settlement, the details of which were never revealed.
Johnny Knoxville has nothing but love for the former ‘Jackass’ star
Knoxville has spoken about his falling out with Margera over the years, but has only expressed concern and love for the skateboarder. In a recent interview with GQKnoxville shared his perspective, admitting that he “drew a hard line” when they decided to fire Margera to help him get sober, much like they did with fellow actor Steve-O, who was battling drug addiction. Steve-O has been sober since 2008.
Knoxville also revealed that he contacted Margera. “He’s not ready. And that’s okay. As long as he’s doing well and healthy, that’s all I care about. Selfishly, I’d love for him to be back in my life. But it’s on his free time,” the stuntman explained.
Bam Margera has been sober for a few years
Margera hit rock bottom in 2022. “I had basically five attacks of 20 minutes each. I woke up eight days later on life support with a tube down my throat with Covid and pneumonia, and that was pretty much the last straw,” he said.
Several months later, he met his current wife, Dannii Marie, to whom he credits his sobriety. The couple got engaged in 2023 and married in Mexico the following year. “You made me quit drinking and got me back into skateboarding, and I can’t thank you enough,” Margera said in her well-wishes.
Margera said the road to sobriety hasn’t been easy, but returning to skateboarding has been instrumental. “Skateboarding is my therapy, my mental health, my medicine… All I want to do now is skateboard,” he said.
