Behind the Scenes

The character of Jack Knife was conceived by Della and Blonkenfeld as a smart-aleck action hero, blending the mischievousness of Bugs Bunny with the cynicism of Marvel’s Deadpool. Tommy Lazzari's naturally sarcastic demeanor and catchphrases, like "Attaboy," made him the ideal choice for the role.

The film's genesis was notably straightforward: the acquisition of a gorilla costume inspired an over-the-top, slapstick-laden fight scene. Jack Knife's wardrobe was deliberately ostentatious, featuring glow-in-the-dark skeleton gloves (borrowed from Blonkenfeld's nighttime Groundies games), a vintage leather jacket from Della's father's closet, and sunglasses worn at night—all chosen to amplify the character's flamboyant persona.

The climactic fight scene was shot sporadically over a year, plagued by the difficulty of aligning schedules for Lazzari and Blonkenfeld. Ultimately, the film remained unfinished, ending abruptly with Jack Knife head-butting the gorilla. Originally, the script called for Jack to decapitate the gorilla and drop its severed head into a Starbucks toilet, tying back to Stream of Consciousness’ opening scene where Emily Bordallo finds a fish in the same toilet.

The film opens with a cameo from Nate Blonkenfeld as Ninja Killface, who answers a call from the Zookeeper seeking advice. The camera pulls back to reveal Killface in Disneyland, a nod to the short Ninja Killface Goes to Disneyland. This creative tie-in anchored both stories in the same timeline, necessitating another trip to Disneyland for Daryl and Nate to shoot additional footage, further blending the absurd worlds of the Dollars & Donuts universe.

Despite its lack of a complete storyline, Jack Knife vs. the Gorilla holds a cherished place in Dollars & Donuts lore, exemplifying the crew's commitment to creative chaos and their determination to produce entertaining content, even when projects don't reach their intended conclusion.