Did You Know This About…The Mask
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The Mask famously gave Jim Carrey to show off more of his theatrical side than ever before. The actor stars as Stanley Ipkiss, a down-on-his-luck banker who comes into possession of a magical mask which gives him the ability to become a green-faced wild man. Along the wild ride, Ipkiss comes into contact with the beautiful Tina Carlyle and her gang leader boyfriend Dorian Tyrell.
A massive hit in the 90s, this loony comedy helped to springboard the majority of the main cast to stardom almost over night. But, what are the stories we don’t know about this flick? What could and should have happened? We have put together a list of facts you may not have known…
Jim Carrey saved production a lot of money
No, he didn’t take a pay cut. Carrey’s cartoonish body language is actually the saviour of the budget here! Director Chuck Russell revealed that less special effects were needed thanks to the comedy actor’s flexibility, meaning digital enhancements were not as necessary as expected!
The yellow suit has a hidden meaning
Believe it or not, the banana yellow suit is actually a nod to Carrey’s mother! Carrey’s mum actually made a yellow suit for Carrey to wear for his first attempt at stand-up. And thus, when it came round to choosing the wardrobe for The Mask, the yellow suit got an inclusion!
This was Cameron Diaz’s first role
You’ve seen her in hits such as Charlie’s Angels, What Happened In Vegas and There’s Something About Mary. Well, The Mask is where it all started for one Cameron Diaz.
Diaz had to audition a whopping 12 times before she found out she got the role just seven days before production was set to begin!
The Cuban Pete number was almost omitted
Hard to believe that one of the biggest/funniest parts of the film almost didn’t make it into the final cut! Yes, the Cuban Pete musical number that out main character uses to escape the police in the second act apparently wasn’t favoured by the film’s producers.
They believe it was not funny, was way too long and dragged. However, test audiences loved it so much that they decided to keep it in. Phew.
Other famous faces were considered for Stanley Ipkiss
As you would imagine, the film looked at a lot of stars before landing on Jim Carrey as the lead. As you have probably already assumed from the above image, there was quite the group of choices!
The shortlist apparently included Ferris Bueller’s Day Out star Matthew Broderick, Planes, Trains & Automobiles‘ Steve Martin, Innerspace‘s Martin Short and Ghostbusters‘ Rick Moranis. Thankfully, Carrey’s wacky persona won him the role above all others.
Milo the dog was created for the film
Another key part that almost didn’t exist. Yes, Milo the dog actually didn’t exist in the Dark Horse comics of which the film is based on. We’re lucky that Russell and co. included the jack russell as this led the furry friend to don the mask during the third act.
This was one of three films to feature Jim Carrey in 1994
1994 was a busy year for Carrey. Not only did he have this film out for release, but he also had Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber. Arguably, this triple whammy is what helped to secure Carrey as a super star onwards on his career.
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Like our facts about The Mask? Know any extra bits that we maybe haven’t mentioned? Let us know in the comment section below!