Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz have one condition to return for The Mask 2

The Mask seems like one of those movies that could only exist in the 1990s. While Chuck Russell's beloved 1994 comedy is mostly known for being one of the seminal Jim Carrey classics that catapulted him to superstardom, it also has a weird '90s bleakness and an oddly inappropriate adult take.

Maybe it has something to do with fact “The Mask” was originally conceived as a horror filmor because it was directed by the guy who directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and the 1988 remake of The Blob, but there was always something a little dark about the film that, on the surface, it seemed. as a good excuse for Carey to chew the scenery in his characteristic way. For example, when Peter Green's director Dorian Tyrell donned the titular artifact at the end of the film, it was genuinely a bit scary to see his demonic form emerge. Meanwhile, Kerry Stanley Ipkiss lived a noticeably monotonous life, working as a bank teller and spending his nights watching classic cartoons alone in his apartment. Also, the introduction to Cameron Diaz's Tina Carlyle was about as masculine and sexualized as a movie clearly made with a younger audience in mind could get.

It all made for a truly strange mix that today seems like it could only exist in its own decade. But nothing really lives up to its time in Hollywood, with the ever-present threat of a legacy sequel, tortured multiverse spinoff, or unnecessary remake lingering on the horizon. However, since “The Mask” holds such a special place in the hearts of many children of the 90s, there is a chance to see a real sequel (and not The 2005 sequel that was never supposed to happen“Son of the Mask”) is sure to excite. However, for that to happen, both Carey and Diaz have certain conditions that must be met.

Cameron Diaz debuted in the movie “The Mask” and immediately noticed that her career took off. The actor, who had previously only modeled, suddenly found himself starring in several independent dramas after The Mask, becoming one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the late 1990s. This decade culminated in remains Diaz's best film according to Rotten Tomatoes“Being John Malkovich,” but the actor had a lot to offer after that, starring in some of his biggest films in the 2000s and early 2010s.

However, after three poorly reviewed films in 2014, Diaz disappeared from Hollywood for a full 11 years, revealing in 2018 that she was officially retired from acting. Then, in 2025, she suddenly returned. Not as part of some career-defining drama where she played against type in a Matthew McConaughey-esque revival, but in a Netflix action comedy that critics dismissed as even more streaming. Of course, this wasn't the triumphant return fans were hoping for, but perhaps a return as Tina Carlyle could help remedy that.

Talking to Access Hollywood (via CNN) about a possible “The Mask” sequel, Diaz revealed that she would be open to the idea “if Jim is on board.” She added: “I mean, I've been riding in those coats since day one.” So, if a proper sequel to The Mask were in the works, getting Diaz and Jim Carrey back together seems as easy as Carrey agreeing to return — which, judging by his recent statements, isn't out of the question.

After 2022 “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” Jim Carrey claimed he was seriously considering retirement. At the time, he said, “if the angels brought some script written in gold ink,” he might change his mind. Then, just two years later, Carey said “nah” to retirement and returned for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”. It's hard to imagine that the Sonic triple was written in gold ink, suggesting that Carey's retirement thoughts aren't that serious. Which, in turn, means there's real potential for a proper sequel to The Mask.

Asked ComicBook.com Carrey was a little tight-lipped about returning to such a film, but at least seemed open to the idea:

“If somebody had the right idea, I mean… It's not really about the money. I'm joking about the money… But I never know. You can't be certain about these things. I said I'd like to retire, but I mean, that I'm talking more about a power rest, because once you have a good idea or a group of people that you really enjoyed working with, everything just changes.

To see the return of Stanley Ipkiss and Tina Carlisle, someone has to give Carrey a great script and he has to agree to do it, which should therefore guarantee Cameron Diaz's involvement. Judging by the fact that “Sonic 3” coaxed Carrey out of retirement, I'm not sure that the idea for “The Mask 2” has to be so fantastic either. Let's hope that if a sequel ever comes to fruition, it retains the quirky mash-up of styles that made the original so great.