In 1994, Jim Carrey turned in a powerhouse efficiency as Stanley Ipkiss in The Masks.
Loosely based mostly on the Darkish Horse Comics sequence, the movie sees the meek and delicate Stanley uncover a magical wood masks. When he places it on, he transforms him right into a assured, green-faced troublemaker who possesses toon pressure and glad toes for a rumba beat. The super-charged comedy electrified the viewers – and the worldwide field workplace too, making over $350 million from a $23 million price range.
With that kind of revenue, fanfare, and franchise risk, the expectation at all times was {that a} sequel would go into manufacturing. That it did, however solely in 2005. Nonetheless, Carrey didn’t return for this follow-up, as Jamie Kennedy took lead in Son of the Masks. Effectively, no matter magic was discovered within the unique was flushed down the bathroom, as this sequel established itself as arguably the worst film of all time.
Why didn’t Jim Carrey return for ‘The Masks’ sequel?
In his early profession, Jim Carrey didn’t like doing sequels. “More often than not once you make one thing that actually hits with folks, the sequels have a diminishing return,” he instructed ComicBook.com in 2022. That stated, Carrey initially agreed to return for The Masks 2, with the manufacturing firm even operating a contest in {a magazine} for a fan to win a minor position within the film circa 1995. Plans grinded to a halt, although, when Carrey stated, “No thanks,” and moved on to a different mission.
For the subsequent decade, The Masks franchise swam round in Hollywood limbo till Lance Khazei penned a script for a sequel that was greenlit by the studio. From there, the ball began rolling and Cats & Canines director Lawrence Guterman boarded the mission. Nobody disputed the truth that this might be a brand new story – sans Stanley Ipkiss – however hey, it was a Masks sequel after a decade, so how dangerous may it’s? Very. Very, very dangerous.
What’s incorrect with ‘Son of the Masks’?
To start with, Son of the Masks feels extra like a premise for a cartoon episode somewhat than a live-action movie. On this story, Tim Avery (Jamie Kennedy) discovers the notorious wood masks. He places it on and positive factors all its slapstick energy and charisma, utilizing it to seduce his spouse, Tonya (Traylor Howard), whereas sporting it one night. From that encounter, a child named Alvey is born – however with the mischievous powers of the Masks in his blood. Alvey drives everybody up the wall, particularly Tim. On the similar time, Odin (Bob Hoskins) sends his son Loki (Alan Cumming) to retrieve the masks, believing it isn’t good for humanity. And yeah, that’s why this abomination exists. It’s as if Troma determined to moosh collectively components of Look Who’s Speaking and Thor into a movie, and forged Tommy Wiseau because the lead.
Talking of which, Kennedy doesn’t simply battle to hold Son of the Masks; he crumbles beneath the strain on display screen. He’s no Jim Carrey, and his model of humor is area of interest to place it bluntly, so this was at all times going to be a tough promote. In reality, this movie all however killed any probabilities of him turning into an A-lister sooner or later, as a result of no massive studio needed to go close to him after this stinker. In keeping with Kennedy’s YouTube channel, Ryan Reynolds initially needed in on Son of the Masks because the lead, however he turned it all the way down to do Blade: Trinity as a substitute. To be truthful, although, it’s unlikely that anybody may have saved this mess from whole catastrophe.
Then, there’s the subject of Alvey as a central character. Who of their proper thoughts desires to look at a CGI child wreak havoc for a whole film? Yeah, it’s enjoyable for a skit or minor sequence, however to construct a whole film round it? Even for a cartoon, this concept would get stale past a singular episode. But, the filmmakers stretch it out for 94 painful minutes.
How the movie destroyed the franchise
Expectedly, nobody favored Son of the Masks. It made $59 million from its $84 million price range, and that was already $59 million an excessive amount of. The movie obtained a rightful mauling from critics and followers, holding a 6% reviewer approval and 16% viewers rating on Rotten Tomatoes on the time of writing. To at the present time, it’s usually cited as the way in which to not make a sequel, and the mere point out of Son of the Masks is sufficient to ship shivers down the backbone of anybody who had the misfortune of getting this burn their eyes and reminiscence banks. Heck, even the folks concerned within the making of it have since admitted this movie simply didn’t work.
What it additionally did was kill any hope of additional motion pictures within the franchise. In 2014, the comedian guide’s creator, Mike Richardson, stated there have been numerous plans for a reboot, however nothing ever materialized. It’s unsurprising since Son of the Masks turned The Masks right into a poisonous property that nobody needed to the touch with a 10-foot pole.
There’s one saving grace, although. The one shining ray of hope that would flip the whole lot round and assist folks to neglect about Son of the Masks‘s existence: The return of the unique forged to do a actual sequel. Jim Carrey is recreation, telling ComicBook.com he’d do it “if any person had the appropriate concept.” Cameron Diaz, who performs Tina Carlyle within the unique film, instructed Access Hollywood that she’s additionally on board, so long as Carrey returns. So, inform us, Hollywood, why is nobody making issues proper with the viewers and doing a smokin’ redo of The Masks but?
