In the early ’90s, Jim Carrey skyrocketed to superstardom. In 1994 alone he had three films still synonymous with the actor.Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,andThe Maskwere all released within a few months. While the first two are still known as comedic royalty,The Maskis one that hasn’t retained as culturally significant a status as the others. The film was a smash hit and is still beloved by fans of Carrey, but it isn’t as well-known by newer generations. The film follows Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss, a goofy banker who can’t get a leg up on life.
This all changes when he discovers a magical mask that transforms him into essentially a human cartoon. As mentioned before, this is still a beloved comedy and shows that Carrey is more than just a dimwitted leading man. The term reboot or remake is a nasty word among many film buffs, but an argument can be made that one is needed here. The film didreceive a loose and disappointing sequelin 2005, but it is now time to fully start from the beginning.
Comic Beginnings
UnlikeDumb and DumberandAce Ventura, The Maskwasn’t an original concept. The film was based on a series of comic books from Dark Horse. At first glance, fans will recognize much. The green-headed menace is lifted straight from the comics, and even Stanley himself bears slight similarities to Carrey. However, upon closer inspection, things are tonally much different. Despite having some suggestive moments and mild language, the film was marketed mostly as a family comedy. It even received an animated show and a toy line. However, the original comics were very much adult.
RELATED:Here’s What Makes Jim Carrey Movies Stand Out From The Rest
In the source comics, Stanley doesn’t just become a goofy human cartoon, he becomes a serial killer. He still operates with cartoon physics and has the same zany humor, but he uses his newfound powers to brutally murder those who wrong him. In fact, this masked character isn’t simply known as The Mask; he is called the Big Head Killer. The mask causes Stanley to brutally and explicitly take out his enemies, and it is usually shown in graphic detail.
Stanley Ipkiss wasn’t even the primary killer, as he was killed off early on by his girlfriend, who of course was wearing the mask. The bulk of the series follows a group of people who fight for the mask and the power that comes along with it. The comic has a heavily dark comedic tone, as opposed to the mostly straight comedy of the film. When the film was being conceived, it was to have a tone closer to the comics,almost like a horror movie. When Carrey was brought on board, however, this was changed.
A reboot that follows the dark and bloody tone will likely be welcomed with open arms by fans. The bar of what can and can’t be shown on film has been pushed since 1994, so filmmakers can show much more and still keep the film under an NC-17 rating. The film could even be an anthology, showing different characters in possession of the mask. With films likeDeadpoolhitting big at the box office, it is clear that ultra-violent comic bookfilms with very offbeat humoraren’t as big of a gamble as they once were. A dark comedy that isn’t afraid to show gory goodness could be just whatThe Maskneeds to be reintroduced into the mainstream. After 2005’sSon of the Mask, there is little that can be done to further tarnish the franchise’s reputation, so why not? While fans would surely eat up Jim Carrey’s return as the titular character, the best course of action will likely be to start fresh. But who would be attached?
Fresh Blood
Whoever helms the reboot would need to be someone who can masterfully juggle both bloody horror and dark comedy.A filmmaker such as Sam Raimiwould be a perfect choice. As for the main role, there are a number of avenues to take. As stated before, Stanley Ipkiss was but a mere blip in theMaskstory, so he doesn’t need to be the main protagonist. The film could follow one of the countless Big Head Killers from the comics, or even create an original character. The creator ofThe Maskhas expressedinterest in a female-led reboot,and this could be a great idea.
RELATED:Dark Horse Comics Preparing For Major Hollywood Sale, According To Reports
Regardless of what is done, the most important thing is that the filmmakers are not afraid to go all the way with it. The original comics felt as if the pages were dripping with blood, so over-the-top gore like in theEvil Deadseries is a must. Much of the younger generation may not even know whatThe Maskis, so catering to them isn’t necessary.
Reboot or Sequel?
The film could even make itself loosely connected to the original. Maybe a passing reference to the events of the first film will be enough to consider the movie a requel of sorts. As unlikely as it may be, the reboot could even be a legacy sequel. Jim Carrey has statedhe didn’t care for Paul Dano’sdarker Riddler portrayal, so it is not likely he will agree to take part in an overly violent version of his early film. There are decades worth of stories to adapt, so the reboot doesn’t need to rely on the first movie. Jim Carrey has played some dark roles before, so if he did decide to return it is clear that he is talented enough to tackle it.
As previously stated, the film did have a poorly received sequel in the form ofSon of the Maskin 2005. A dark reboot that loosely follows the same continuity could rectify this movie in a tongue-in-cheek way.Son of the Maskdid have some unique ideas when it was conceived, so maybe these ideas could be revisited in some way. Remakes and reboots are not popular phrases in many film buff circles, but sometimes they are necessary.The Maskfrequently makeslists of Jim Carrey’s best, but there is so much more than can be done with the character, and the great comics deserve much more material.
Whether a one-off or the first of a new series, it is time forThe Maskto once again run rampant on the big screen. Maybe even a live-action series on HBO Max could also be an idea. Fans of the comics have been desperate for the series to be done true justice for years, and now could be the best time to do so. For those who aren’t familiar with the original comics, they owe it to themselves to check them out.
