Paramount Pictures is making history by being the first studio to back a movie, namely “Jackass 2.5,” as it premieres online via Blockbuster, where it will stream for free for a limited period of time.

Those naughty pranksters from the “Jackass” franchise will entertain their fans in a brand new way, by making their latest movie available online, exclusively via Blockbuster and its new online property Movielink at blockbuster.jackassworld.com.

The film was produced by Paramount Digital Entertainment and MTV New Media. It combines extra footage filmed for “Jackass 2,” released in 2006, with new material and will debut Dec. 19.

The hour-long movie will be offered for free, with ads, until Dec 26 and then will become available on sites such as iTunes and Amazon.com, on a download-to-own basis, reports Variety.

“Jackass 2.5” will also be released in DVD format; as part of its deal, Blockbuster has exclusive rental rights to the DVD and to offer digital rentals online, according to the trade paper.

Reuters reports that the international distribution of the film will be similar, starting early next year, but with different distribution partners.

JackassWorld.com (www.jackassworld.com) will make its premiere along with “Jackass 2.5” and become a permanent online host for the franchise beginning Feb. 9. As it is, Paramount and MTV promise there is more to come.

Thomas Lesinski, prexy of Paramount Digital Media, was quoted by Variety as saying “Jackass 2.5” was envisioned from the beginning as a groundbreaking project, bypassing movie theaters, the traditional distribution channels.

“We've developed a distribution model that's never been done before,” he said. “Our goal is to prove that there is an audience to watch content online.”

Lesinski added that Paramount intends to debut more movies on the Internet in the future.

The “Jackass” series and movies are renowned for their graphic nature and inane stunts, forever preceded by warnings that “viewers should not attempt this on their own.” Reuters reports that Blockbuster will use an age-verification system during the free streaming period, that will “discourage” anyone under the age of 17 from seeing the film.