25 Things You Didn't Know About The Mask

By Jack Pooley / August 19, 2024

17. Director Chuck Russell Threatened To Quit If Cameron Diaz Wasn't Hired

Given that Cameron Diaz had to audition literally a dozen times before winning the role of Tina, it's not much of a surprise that New Line Cinema wasn't terribly keen on hiring an unknown performer with zero acting experience, especially with other, more established names waiting in the wings.

But director Russell was so sure about casting Diaz that he even threatened to walk from the film if she wasn't cast.

Granted, it's tough to imagine Russell having much clout in Hollywood at the time, and his threat would've ultimately just caused a re-scheduling headache more than anything, but he obviously ended up winning out regardless.

And so, Diaz effectively owes her career to Russell, who went to bat for a cast member he truly believed in.