The lean, green, and hilarious The Mask from Chuck Russell is undoubtedly a money-making movie machine starring Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss. But certainly, the 1994 film has been more beneficial to Cameron Diaz than any other actor on set. The Mask came out as a breakout role for Diaz and garnered critical and commercial success.
However, surprisingly enough, Cameron Diaz wasn’t the initial choice for the role of Tina Carlyle. Apparently, Chuck Russell had the ’90s Playboy sweetheart in his mind when he thought of the character, alongside Jim Carrey’s Stanley Ipkiss. However, eventually, Diaz was appointed for the role when casting director Fern Champion intervened. Guess who almost replaced The Mask actress as Tina?
Cameron Diaz Wasn’t Chuck Russell’s Initial Choice For The Mask
Cameron Diaz initially got her breakout role through her hit 1994 comedy movie The Mask. Appearing as Tina Carlyle, alongside Jim Carrey who played Stanley Ipkiss, the young actress achieved overnight global fame following her 1994 movie. However, although it’s currently difficult to imagine The Mask with Diaz, the actress almost lost her role to a late Playboy model.
Apparently, director Chuck Russell hoped to cast the late Anna Nicole Smith as Tina Carlyle in The Mask. According to casting director Fern Champion, Russell was hellbent on casting Smith in his 1994 comedy. However, the director soon realized the Playboy sweetheart was extremely charming, but lacked the qualities required for the role.
“As I would have had to read her for the part to get that far. We met. Anna was charming and bubbly but did not have other qualities needed for the role. I never took the next step to run scenes with her.”
Thereafter, Fern Champion had been looking for models to reprise the role of Tina Carlyle in The Mask. That’s when she was recommended Cameron Diaz by a friend at a modeling agency. “There is one gal” Champion was told, and thus upon meeting Diaz, both Russell, and Champion realized the actress had “instant likeability”.
Also read: Dwayne Johnson’s Incredible Physical Feat Stunned $180M Movie Director Chuck Russell
Cameron Diaz Appeared As Tina Carlyle Alongside Jim Carrey
Following her casting as Tina Carlyle in The Mask, Cameron Diaz rose to fame, despite having no previous background of acting. “I was told she was submitted but had not acted in anything else yet. I said to bring her in and let’s see” Chuck Russell took the risk and worked on Diaz to turn her into a rising star.
“I was concerned after her first reading. And then I saw the chemistry with her and Jim. Eight callbacks later, including improvs with Jim, I finally convinced producers.”
Eventually, Cameron Diaz did a phenomenal job in The Mask and turned out to be an overnight superstar. Her performance alongside Jim Carrey and others turned the movie into a critical and commercial success, grossing $350M worldwide. Fans’ appreciation for the movie even turned The Mask into an animated series and even a video game.
Further Chuck Russell’s 1994 comedy was turned into a sequel over a decade later in the form of 2005’s Son of the Mask. Although the 2005 version performed poorly in regards to the original movie, The Mask creator Mike Richardson expressed his interest in a reboot, during the movie’s twenty-fifth anniversary in 2019. Richardson’s ambitious idea was highly appreciated, although no solid plans were confirmed.
Watch The Mask on Amazon Video.
Source: Variety
