The Mask (1994 film)

The Mask is a 1994 American superhero slapstick film loosely based on the 1991 comic book series by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke. Directed by Chuck Russell and written by Mike Werb, the film stars Jim Carrey, Peter Riegert, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni and Cameron Diaz. The plot follows Stanley Ipkiss (Carrey), a hapless and timid bank teller who finds an enchanted mask that transforms him into a green-faced troublemaker who can cartoonishly alter himself and his surroundings at will. It is the first film in the Mask franchise.

Principal photography began in Los Angeles on August 30, 1993, and concluded in October. The film marked the acting debut of Diaz, who was a model with no acting experience prior to filming, while Carrey, who was starring on the sketch comedy series In Living Color and had just wrapped filming on Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), was virtually unknown at the time. Their casting led to disputes from New Line Cinema executives who expressed concern that the film would be unsuccessful without well-established actors, but the studio ultimately relented following reassurance from Russell that Carrey and Diaz were the right choices.

The Mask was theatrically released in the United States on July 29, 1994, to positive reviews. The film was a commercial success, grossing $352 million against its $18–23 million production budget, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1994. It also influenced the resurgence of swing music in the 1990s. Carrey was nominated for Best Actor at the 52nd Golden Globe Awards and the film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 67th Academy Awards. A sequel without the involvement of Carrey, Son of the Mask, was released in 2005.