A couple months ago, we broke the news that Paramount/MTV was secretly filming footage for a Jackass 2.5 feature film release. We didn’t have very many details back than (just some spycam video footage of a shoot in action), but now it has been revealed that the film won’t be released in theaters or on DVD.
Instead Jackass 2.5 will be released exclusively for two weeks through the web. This is probably the biggest single move towards online movie distribution by a major studio to date. The 64-minute film will be offered online for free starting on December 19th through Blockbuster (blockbuster.jackassworld.com). The film uses unused footage from the second Jackass film, combined with $2 million worth of new footage.
After the two week period, the movie will be moved to digital movie download services such as iTunes, and home video formats such as DVD. I think this could spawn a huge chain in the way some movies are released. They are basically, in my opinion, betting on word of mouth reaction to drive sales, replicating the same platform style releasing that Fox Searchlight has done so well in recent years. And the stunts of Jackass are perfectly suited to create a “you have to see this” word of mouth buzz.
Watch the trailer below.
Jackass: The Movie made $79.4 million, while the sequel Jackass: Number Two made over $84 million worldwide. And while home video sales figures aren’t available, I’m sure the films made another $70-$100 million on DVD. Not bad considering both films cost a combined $16 million to make.
source: THR
December 12th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
have you guys heard of this site?
crowncases.com
December 12th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Hmm, 2 weeks is a long time in the internet world though… I would have made it a week, but its great to see them actually making progress toward online movie distribution. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but my friend swears by the internet distribution served by Netflix.
I guess I don’t have much faith in it yet because of my current home internet connection. I’m guessing I would get frustrated more than not :)
December 13th, 2007 at 6:18 am
evan andersen
I have to say that these guys are best in the business! 16m with a return of 150m. Evan Andersen thinks he should have been puked a few more times on set.
Evan Andersen
December 13th, 2007 at 9:24 am
this is not the first internet exlusive film… go to itunes store, ed burns released his lastest film purple violets exclusive to itunes on 11/20 for a month a dvd will then follow. Suprised this site never wrote anything about this, or at least knew about it.
January 29th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I am so excited for them to make a new one. I agree with Evan Andersen that this was the best money ever spent on a film. Although I think Evan Andersen needs to think that if they released films on DVD first they would increase their sales. Just my opinion but what do I know, I am a psych major! Hey….whatever view you take on the money, we have to agree that these are great movies.
Audrey
April 9th, 2008 at 6:11 am
evan andersen
when is the third one coming out! I am so excited for another film that has nothing to do with anything. evan andersen wonders why there are not more countries that do this, like in Cannes for example.
evan andersen