“Is this girl…”: 30 years ago, Cameron Diaz was spotted by chance and the film changed her life

In 1994, The Mask hit the big screen. Based on the popular comic book series of the same name, the fantasy comedy made Jim Carrey a superstar thanks to his role as Stanley Ipkiss, a humble bank employee fascinated by the world of Tex Avery, who discovers an ancient mask with supernatural powers. . He’s still torn between becoming this confident green creature or remaining a shy Stanley who can’t get close to the brilliant cabaret singer Tina Carlyle…

But Mask It also introduced viewers to a young model named Cameron Diaz as Tina, a role that launched her acting career.

According to casting director Fern Champion, director Chuck Russell wanted the late Anna Nicole Smith for the role of Tina. However, the latter still admitted that although he was interested in Smith, he was not the right choice.Because I would have had to audition him for the role to get there. We just met. Anna was charming and bubbly, but lacked the other qualities required for the role. I never took the next step to do scenes with him.“

Fern Champion Then he turned in vain to the top models of that moment. So she asked a friend who ran a modeling agency in the same building as New Line’s offices if she could recommend someone.

“is this girl“- they told him. certain Cameron Diaz. A meeting was needed, and immediately the casting director realized that he had “Instant empathy” : “She is a big girl. There were no barriers. It was the brain. He was just wide-eyed and blue-eyed and said, “Yeah, I want to play, of course. What should I do?’“

Young Cameron took dance and theater lessons during the casting process until the director came across her photo: “I saw an 8×10 of Cameron on the casting table and asked, “What about him?” I was told he was on the list but hadn’t done anything yet. I said bring it in and let’s see.“

After that, the choice was made. “ After my first reading, he was the only person in the role. Then I saw the chemistry between her and Jim. After eight calls, including improvising with Jim, I finally convinced the producers.“

He even remembered Maggie’s co-star Joel Fisher, whose first film he was in Cameron Diaz As if it was obvious, he left his trailer to film the scene”light around him” : “He was simply stunning in person. The character was so perfect for him. I knew he was going to be a star.“The rest is history.

Nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA for his visual effects – in addition to other nominations for his makeup and design at BAFTA and a nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy. Jim Carrey at the Golden Globes Mask was a bona fide success and grossed over $351 million worldwide against a budget of “only” $23 million!

The Mask can still be seen on VOD.