After teaming up for fourJackassmovies together, including the most recent, 2013’sBad Grandpa, Paramount andJohnny Knoxvilleare back at it again. The actor has signed on to star in, produce and co-write the script for new comedyAction Park. The studio is already eyeing a March production start in South Africa, but no other cast members have been confirmed at this time.
The Hollywood Reporterfirst broke the news on this project, whichJohnny Knoxvillewill produce alongsideBilly GerberandDerek Freda.Johnny Knoxvillewill also co-write the script withJohn AltshulerandDave Krinsky, who are best known for co-creating the hit HBO seriesSilicon ValleywithMike Judge.Tim Kirkbyis set to direct, having most recently directed the pilot episode of Amazon Studios' hit seriesFleabag.
The story centers on what would happen if “Knoxvilleand his cohorts irresponsibly designed and operated their own theme park.” It isn’t known if this brief synopsis is referring to the actor’s rowdy “cohorts” from theJackass moviefranchise, such asBam Margera,Steve-OandWee Man, or completely different characters. Regardless, this will markJohnny Knoxville’s return to Paramount after a number of projects in a row, such as 2014’sTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesandBad Grandpa, although he didn’t return to voice Leonardo in last year’s sequelTeenage Mutant Ninja: Out of the Shadows.
If this project is in the same vein as theJackassmovies, it could be quite the profitable hit for Paramount.Bad Grandpa, which essentially combined the hidden-camera stunts from theJackassmovies with a unique narrative story, grossed $15 million worldwide, from just a $15 million budget. It’s possible that this project could use the same sort ofhidden camerastunts to surprise possibly unwitting fans who attend this amusement park, while splicing a narrative through-line into the film. That is only speculation at this point, since we don’t have much to go on for this project, but it certainly does sound intriguing.
Johnny Knoxvillemost recently starred in the action-comedySkiptrace, alongsideJackie Chan, and inElvis & NixonalongsideMichael SheenandMichael Shannon. He currently has two other projects in post-production,Weightless, starringJulianne NicholsonandAlessandro Nivola, andAbove Suspicion, where he stars alongsideEmilia Clarke,Jack HustonandThora Birch. DirectorTim Kirkbyonly has one feature film to his credit, 2013’sThe Blind Spot, but he has become quite the prolific TV director in recent years. He has worked on several episodes ofVeep,Playing House,Man Seeking Woman,Grace and Frankie,You, Me and the Apocalypseand the upcoming IFC seriesBrockmire. Hopefully we’ll find out Parkin the very near future.
