Johnny Knoxville takes inspiration from Steve-O in new comedy about addiction

Jackass' Johnny Knoxville drew inspiration from a familiar source for his newest film.

Knoxville’s latest flick sees the former Jackass star take on the role of an addict forced to coach a misfit group of friends in rehab into a softball team.

The film is a heart-warming comedy, with Knoxville receiving plaudits from critics for his performance.

Among those, The Hollywood Reporter spoke specifically about how his performance makes the film, saying: “That the film proves as affecting as it does is largely due to Knoxville’s understated, terrific performance that makes his character fully sympathetic despite his many flaws.”

Johnny Knoxville stars in the new comedy. (Paramount Pictures)

“It was very personal"

In an interview with UNILAD, Knoxville and director Lije Sarki dug into the inspirations they drew on in making the film – with Knoxville referencing friend Steve-O.

Sarki spoke about how the film - titled Sweet Dreams - was incredibly personal for him, with the director himself being sober for more than a decade now.

He said: “It was very personal, in my experience with movies and recovery it's always been portrayed as this drab, depressing sort of thing.

“People need to know that this isn't a sad thing. It's obviously serious stuff but it's a lot of fun, when you can get over it, and get a group around you and have like a fellowship of people in your life that it's fun, it's inspiring, it gives it gives you a life that's way better than it was before. I wanted to show that.”

Following up on this, Knoxville spoke about Steve-O’s worries about getting sober.

Steve-O has spoken in the past about how, in 2008, he was addicted to drugs and alcohol.

"We went through quite a lot together"

In March of 2008 however, Knoxville led an intervention alongside the cast of the comedy built around their extreme stunts – and Steve-O has been clean ever since.

Knoxville said: “I think Steve-O was worried he wasn't going to be able to do the things he did if he got sober and be funny.

“He’s since proved that wrong many times in his life, what he's done is amazing. To turn his life around, and the same with Lije, everyone who goes through recovery and sticks with it. That's true bravery.”

Steve-O was inspiration for the film. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Skatepark Project)

When questioned whether he spoke to Steve-O to prepare for the film, he said he hadn’t – but that he drew on his experiences with him.

Knoxville added: “We went through quite a lot together. So, I can draw on that I can draw on experiences with my father or other friends are times when I'm distracted in my life.

"I could draw on those.”

Whatever inspiration Knoxville drew on clearly worked as the film has been described as a tender and heart-warming ride, and as expected with Knoxville and the stacked cast of comedians, it's also hilarious.

If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.