Sooner or later in recent times, I rewatched 1994’s The Masks for my daughter’s first viewing, and it each reaffirmed my VHS-worn fandom and in addition re-stoked my perception that the shortage of a correct Masks sequel is amongst popular culture’s best failings. (Particularly in gentle of Ace Ventura and Dumb & Dumber’s follow-ups.) I used to be understandably as jazzed as anybody when each Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz expressed curiosity in probably returning to that universe, and now the movie’s director Chuck Russell weighed in together with his personal sssssmokin’ feedback.
The Masks stays one in all Jim Carrey’s finest films, and one which made the actor a comedy staple to many followers throughout his prolific post-In Residing Shade run within the Nineties. As such, I nonetheless get a gross style in my mouth understanding that its solely live-action sequel was that Son of… debacle starring Jamie Kennedy. I do know I shouldn’t get my hopes up too excessive right here, however I like the eagerness Chuck Russell appeared to carry when answering Bleeding Cool’s query about his curiosity in making one other Masks film.
Addressing the tonal distinction between his big-screen adaptation and its comedian e book supply materials, Russell says he’s recreation to carry these characters again, and doesn’t sound like he’d be against darkening up the humor. In his phrases:
The unique comedian was splatter punk, and it limits your viewers. The Masks had a large viewers, as a result of I did not do all of the gore. I do not assume it is a query of gore; there’s an underworld presence within the comedian books of dangerous guys, gangsters, that is a lot edgier than what I did. I did a bit little bit of that, however I believe you could possibly go darker, and I personally have achieved the entire vary from horror to comedy. I’d be very pleased to revisit that if all of us get ourselves organized to do it.
Horror followers like myself are doubtless conscious that Chuck Russell’s debut movie was fan-favorite Freddy flick A Nightmare on Elm Road 3: Dream Warriors, which introduced Heather Langenkamp’s Nancy again. He additionally directed 1988’s stellar The Blob remake, adopted by The Masks and 1996’s Ah-nold motion flick Eraser. He additionally helped flip Dwayne Johnson right into a film star with 2002’s Scorpion King. So there is no arguing that Russell has style vary (or that his self-scripted films are often higher than others).
I’d personally lo-o-ove to see a brand new Masks film that ups the ante on the comedian e book’s bloodier material whereas nonetheless sustaining Jim Carrey’s over-the-top efficiency. Even 30 years after the primary film was launched, he is confirmed himself to nonetheless be able to gonzo bodily comedy, and is somebody who can nonetheless make falling down hilarious each time.
So at this level, Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz AND Chuck Russell have all weighed in positively about making one other film about Stanley Ipkiss and his otherworldly masks. So the ball would seem like in Warner Bros.’ court docket so far as discovering somebody to write down a correct follow-up that is really worthy of everybody’s time. Since that is the important thing factor to getting Carrey to signal again up.
What Jim Carrey And Cameron Diaz Have Stated About The Masks Returns
Whereas selling his return as Professor Robotnik for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 2024, Carrey advised ComicBook.com that all of it comes right down to the story, regardless of any jokes he makes about cash being the important thing issue.
Oh gosh, you realize, it must be the appropriate concept. If any individual had the appropriate concept, I assume… It’s not likely in regards to the cash. I joke in regards to the cash… However I by no means know. You possibly can’t be particular about these items.
Cameron Diaz, who reversed her performing retirement for Netflix’s Again in Motion, shared her tackle reuturning for an additional Masks film earlier in 2025 that Jim Carrey’s curiosity in going again to that world is all of the impetus she would want to signal on, provided that movie was the one which turned her right into a extremely sought-after star. Here is how she put it:
If Jim’s on board, I’ve been driving these coattails since Day One.
I assume somebody does must ask the unique masks if it might even be considering returning. However even when it desires to be a diva and refuses to return, the props division can simply create a brand new masks to interchange it.
Why The Masks Film Wasn’t As Darkish As The Comedian E-book
Coming off of two horror films, Chuck Russell directing The Masks might need had followers considering his adaptation would certainly be as darkish and bloody because the comedian. However because the completed product proved, it was way more of a family-friendly effort that toned down its legal factor in favor of extra Looney Tunes-ish hijinks. To that finish, Russell mentioned he actually wished to lean into Carrey’s rubber-faced skills.
He’s a comic book genius, actually like Buster Keaton, nonetheless to this present day. His capacity to do bodily comedy is actually distinctive. I mentioned, ‘This man’s a residing comedian already, let’s make The Masks a bit extra comedic.’
Personally, I do not even want this hypothetical Masks sequel to have an especially good, Oscar-worthy script. I simply need to see extra reality-breaking CGI-silliness, no matter how intently it hews to the character’s sordid comedian e book tales. Simply as long as showtime really arrives in some unspecified time in the future.