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‘The Mask’ creator planning a female-led reboot

Jim Carrey in The Mask
Jim Carrey in The Mask

Mike Richardson, who came up with the concept for The Mask comic-book series, which was turned into the hit 1994 comedy starring Jim Carrey, wants a female-led reboot.

“I’d like to see a really good physical comedian [in the role],” Richardson admitted, before making the ultimate tease and revealing he wants a specific actress in the part, but refused to say which one “I have one in mind, but I’m not gonna say her name. We have to do a lot of convincing for this particular actor, but we’ll see.”

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Richardson’s comments to Forbes suggested that these plans already have a little bit of motion, as he added, “You never know what’s coming in the future. We have some ideas.”

Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in the hit 1994 comedy
Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in the hit 1994 comedy

But rather than being a straight-forward remake of The Mask, which revolved around an insecure bank clerk suddenly gaining confidence whenever he puts on the ancient mask, Richardson wants it to take a darker look at the power of supernatural disguise, which would be more inline with the original comics.

“I’d like it to be another character film about a person dealing with absolute power. The whole theme of The Mask was we all say what we would do if we had absolute power, just like Stanley Ipkiss.”

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“When we get absolute power, we often resort to the most petty of endeavors and it’s overcoming our human nature and using the power for good. Stan Lee said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’ but my thing is an older axiom, which is ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely.’"

The Mask was a smash-hit when it was released, earning great reviews and amassing over $351.6 million at the box office, securing Carrey’s place as the most powerful comedic actor of the 1990s.

It was eventually followed up by 2005’s Son Of The Mask, which starred Jamie Kennedy in the leading role instead, was met with terrible reviews and took in less than $60 million financially.