Since 2000, the Jackass franchise has brought laughs at the expense of the host's safety thanks to outrageous pranks and unthinkable stunts. However, in the two decades of shenanigans, the crew members have built indestructible friendships that will last even longer than the show itself. But sometimes, to keep one another safe, decisions have to be made that impact everyone. Another tough choice for the new film, Jackass Forever, was to remove longtime member Bam Margera from the film, but why would this happen?

To understand the importance of why Bam was let go from the film, it's imperative to know how substance abuse has affected one of the franchise's most beloved members, Steve-O. In the past, Steve-O dealt with a severe drug and alcohol addiction that severely put his life in danger. However, since then, he has turned his life around and has been a champion in showing how anyone can turn their lives around with determination and hard work. Because of this, it's hard to find anyone else who better understands the dangers of addiction like Steve-O and the rest of Jackass.

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At the time of filming Jackass Forever, it was explained in a Slashfilm article that Bam tested positive for Adderall. As a result of the test, Margera was not invited back on set. Sadly, this caused a divide between him and the crew, with a lawsuit filed and Bam speaking out against the decision to his fans. Bam has always been a significant part of the Jackass family, making the events following his removal from filming even more heartbreaking.

While Bam spoke out against the recent events, Steve-O also commented on an Instagram post, further shedding light on the situation by stating, "Everyone bent over backwards to get you into the movie, and all you had to do was not get loaded. You've continued to get loaded; it's that simple." Steve-O's words ring even more true since he, more than everyone else, knows how hard it can be to remain safe and healthy while filming a stunt-heavy project while under the influence.

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Although Bam was removed from the project, he will still appear in Jackass Forever. However, it will be in a small role. Of the 49 members attached to the film, Margera has been credited as the 45th. While it seems like a sad fate for what could have been the final entry in the long-running franchise, including Margera is more so a way to recognize what he's done to support the franchise.

Ultimately, it appears that the decision to take Bam away from filming was a tough one as the Jackass team are friends first and foremost. But to ensure the safety of Margera and everyone involved, the tough choice had to be made to remove him from the rest of the project. That said, Knoxville and the rest of the Jackass family are known never to leave a soldier behind, and while this situation is challenging, there's still hope that their love and support of Bam Margera won't end on such a somber note.

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