Fear Factor Rebooted With a Twist, and Johnny Knoxville at the Helm

Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to extreme television, but this time, he's not the one taking the risks—he's the ringmaster. 

The Jackass legend has signed on to host Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, a modern reboot of the early 2000s reality classic that once pushed network TV boundaries with its blend of high-stakes stunts and gross-out dares. Now, Fox is reviving the show with a twist that aims to shock and go viral, according to Variety.

Set to debut during the 2025–2026 season, the new Fear Factor will strand contestants in a remote location. Once there, they'll not only face physical and psychological challenges but also social-media-driven dares and group dynamics designed to test alliances. 

According to Fox and producers at Endemol Shine North America, the series is engineered for a new era of reality TV, where fear meets strategy, and outrageous moments are tailor-made for TikTok.

"When you reimagine a series as legendary as Fear Factor, you need a host who is the epitome of daring charisma and spectacle, and that’s Johnny Knoxville," said Endemol Shine CEO Sharon Levy. "We're pushing fear and social strategy to places that will redefine reality competition."

Knoxville, who made a name for himself by launching out of porta-potties and wrestling wild animals on Jackass, now gets to watch others face their fears. 

"Johnny Knoxville is the champion of fearless entertainment," said Fox's President of Entertainment, Michael Thorn. "His unmatched ability to push boundaries makes him the perfect host for this wild reinvention."

Fear Factor first aired in 2001 with Joe Rogan at the helm, challenging contestants to do everything from eat insects to leap across moving trucks.

Related: Joe Rogan Says This Guest Was His Worst—And It’s Not Who You Think

MTV attempted a reboot with Ludacris in 2017, but Fox's version promises to turn up the intensity for a generation raised on social media spectacle and viral dares.

Casting is already underway for U.S. and Canadian residents 18 and older at FearIsBack.com. 

The show is produced by Endemol Shine North America, with Knoxville bringing his signature shock-value energy to a format built for the age of clicks, chaos, and clout.

The next chapter of fear starts now, and it's going to be wild.