Cameron Diazhas revealed exactly why she has come out of retirement to star in her new Netflix movie,Back in Action. There was once a period when you couldn’t turn around without seeing Diaz in a film. Since making a splash in 1994’sThe Mask, the actress remained consistently busy and soon became one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood, working with some of the best in the business. Then, after appearing in the 2014 movie adaptation of the Broadway musicalAnnie, Diaz decided to take a step back from Hollywood, effectively retiring from the business. Although she kept herself busy with other ventures, the actress went dark in the industry for her own personal reasons, but she has revealed why now is the right time to return to acting.
During a chat withThe Hollywood Reporter, Diaz reiterated that she stepped back from acting to be there tohelp build her family. The actress is married to Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, and they are the proud parents to a daughter named Raddix and a son named Cardinal. Diaz wanted to"reclaim my own life,“as she puts it, and indicated that she didn’t care about anything else when she retired by saying,“Nobody’s opinion, nobody’s success, no one’s offer, no one’s anything could change my mind about my decision of taking care of myself and building the life that I really wanted.“Now that she’s in a comfortable spot with herself and her family, the actress feels the time is right to get back to work.
“It was just the right time for my family. After Covid, we were in the house for a long time, which was amazing and the problem was we would probably stay there, we would still be there right now. People would be like, ‘It’s over’ and I’d be like, ‘No it’s not, it’s not over for me. So I had to push myself; my husband and I — my husband, who is the best — he was like, ‘You’ve been supporting us and building the family’ and supporting him in his businesses, he’s like, ‘It’s time for us to support you and let Mommy ascend and do her thing.’ He’s like, ‘Let me see you do it girl.’ I was like, ‘Alright, here we go.'”
Diaz’s first major project that audiences will see the actress in will be her third collaboration with Jamie Foxx, following 1999’sAny Given Sundayand the aforementionedAnnieadaptation.Back in Action, set to debut at the top of 2025 on Netflix, sees Diaz playing Emily, a spy who is pulled back into espionage alongside Foxx’s Matt after their secret identities are exposed. As to why this was the right project to kick off her return, it came down to her acting partner. The actress said she,“Couldn’t say no to Jamie. He said, ‘Come with me,’ and I said, ‘Ok, let’s do it; it’s our third film together, so it’s really great.”
What Cameron Diaz Movies are Coming Soon?
That’s not all the actress has in store to get back into the swing of things.She’s returning forShrek 5, which will re-team her with her fellowShrekvoice actors, Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Diaz has voiced Princess Fiona since the 2001 film that kicked off the franchise, which has become the second-highest-grossing animated franchise of all time. Also on deck is apossible reunion with Keanu Reevesfollowing 1996’sFeeling Minnesota. She’s in talks to join the actor in the dark comedy film,Outcome, co-written and directed by Jonah Hill, who will also co-star in the project.
Cameron Diaz’s 8 Funniest Movies, Ranked
The BAFTA nominee has starred in numerous comedies over the years, having worked with some of the funniest directors in Hollywood.
Before stepping away from the industry, Diaz was considered one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, eventually becoming the highest-paid actress over the age of 40 in 2013. In addition to box office successes across all genres, likeMy Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary,Charlie’s Angels, andThe Holiday, she has also earned critical acclaim for her roles inBeing John Malkovich,Gangs of New YorkandVanilla Sky. The actress has received a BAFTA and SAG nomination alongside four Golden Globe nominations for her work in film.
Outside of acting, the actress wrote the health booksThe Body Bookin 2013, which became a New York Times bestseller, andThe Longevity Bookin 2016. She also launched the clean wine brand Avaline with her friend and business partner Katherine Power in 2020.
