For those who loved “Jackass,” a reality TV show that aired for three seasons (2000 to 2002), “Jackass Fever” would be a fitting movie to check out. However, the film that launched last Feb. 4, 2022, has not been spared from controversy.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is not too thrilled about how the film was done, particularly the part involving animals. The agency believes animal cruelty and abuse against animals in some of the stunts happened and are now calling for an investigation.
“Jackass stunts are violent and vulgar, but if the talent is willing and the wounds are self-inflicted, that’s one thing—however, it’s quite another when animals are exploited, harassed, and harmed: That’s cruelty,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement.
Also, PETA sent a letter to Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Kimberly Abourezk in September after seeing the trailer. They want an investigation to be made and legal action if needed.
The letter included PETA believing that Paramount Pictures may have violated some California animal cruelty laws. They fear that others who may see the movie would get ideas in performing similar stunts.
“If Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville want to make a career out of nasty little boy fantasies, they’re entitled to, as long as they don’t stress, harm, poke, prod, scare, or bother animals who are used as living props for their idiocy,” PETA SVP Lisa Lange said in a statement via Deadline.
Several stunts did not sit well with PETA. One of them was where Johnny Knoxville provokes bees into stinging star Steve-O’s penis and another in which a scorpion is placed near actress Rachel Wolfson and “hit repeatedly” by comedian Eric Andre until the critter stings her.
There were several others such as one that involved a bull and another a tarantula. It remains to be seen what next steps authorities will take regarding the complaints of PETA.
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