Jackass 2.5 To Be Released Online For FREE

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