It’s been 25 years since the first Shrek movie, but the franchise is still incredibly popular, so much so that Shrek 5 is slated for release next year. The franchise’s continued to success has meant that despite semi-retirement, Cameron Diaz is still recognized as the voice of Princess Fiona from time to time, though it seems that doesn’t always go well.

Diaz, who appears with Keanu Reeves in the new movie Outcome, available with an Apple TV subscription, recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the topic of the upcoming Shrek sequel came up. The host asked the actress if her voice gets recognized, and she said it’s actually the parents who usually try to tell their kids who she is. Diaz explained…

While most people who be thrilled to meet Cameron Diaz, or the voice behind a favorite animated character, a young child meeting Princess Fiona is probably either incredibly overwhelming or utterly confusing. While even young kids certainly understand that animated characters are not “real,” that doesn’t mean they fully grasp the mechanics of the characters, so seeing somebody who looks like Cameron Diaz and being told that she’s Fiona might certainly cause some kids to break down.

From the sound of things, this one story isn’t the only time that this, or something like it, has happened to Cameron Diaz. As a result, she apparently tries to get parents not to say anything in order to prevent any outbursts. She continued…

With Shrek 5 coming out, there will be a lot more people exposed to the voice of Fiona, which may, unfortunately, lead to more emotional breakdowns from small children. Although if kids are having trouble with the idea that Cameron Diaz is Fiona, I can’t imagine how kids react to finding out that the voice of Shrek looks like Mike Myers.

This is probably good information to have for the new members of the Shrek 5 cast. Zendaya will voice the daughter of Shrek and Fiona. Our favorite ogre couple will also have sons, so now there will be a whole family of characters to confuse children when they meet celebrities on the street.

When I think of Cameron Diaz’s most iconic movies, The Holiday, My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary, and Shrek immediately come to mind. Notably, all of those are either great rom-coms or are centered around a romance. Now, after making her big return to acting last year in Back in Action, she’s about to be back in action in the rom-com genre.

After retiring from acting and taking a break that lasted 11 years, Cameron Diaz is back in the game in full force. In the time since the release of Back in Action (which you can stream with a Netflix subscription), she lined up five more projects that she’ll be acting in. This includes Shrek 5, which will be released in 2027, as well as Outcome, which is on the 2026 movie schedule. However, today, we’re going to focus on the untitled romantic comedy she’s set to star in alongside Stephen Merchant.

At the moment, this romantic comedy is untitled; however, we did get some major casting news about it. Per Deadline, Diaz is set to star alongside Merchant, who is also the director and co-writer of the film. Sherry Cola and Josh Segarra are also set to star in this movie, and it was recently revealed that Lisa Gilroy, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Dustin Ybarra and Fabrizio Guido have joined the ensemble as well. All these folks are very funny, which will serve this movie’s premise perfectly.

The film will follow a British workaholic (Merchant) who works at a bougie hotel in New York. He is in need of a wife, and Diaz’s character, who is a struggling stand-up comedian, needs health insurance. So, they set up a fake marriage that (obviously, because this is a rom-com) leads to actual love.

Notably, this film is being produced by Merchant and Lee Eisenberg, as well as the folks over at Point Grey Pictures, which includes Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Now, no matter what, I’d be stoked for this movie. The premise is so fun, and I love the idea of Diaz playing a stand-up comedian. However, it’s an incredibly exciting project because it marks her first true rom-com since 2014. That year, she starred in Sex Tape with Jason Segel as well as The Other Woman, which is more of a revenge comedy with a sprinkle of romance than a true rom-com. So, this new project is a true return to form for the beloved actress

Before Diaz’s retirement, her career was partially defined by the rom-coms she did. She’s a shining star in the genre, and so to see her come back to it in full force brings me an immense amount of joy.

While Back in Action saw her and Jamie Foxx playing a couple, it was way more an action movie than a rom-com. This project with Stephen Merchant sounds like a true romantic comedy, and it seems like it will have a whole lot of rom and com in it, so you best believe I’ll be seated whenever it's released.

Speaking of a release date, it’s currently unknown when this movie will come out. However, have no fear, you won’t have to wait that long to see Diaz back on screen. That's because her next movie, Outcome, which is directed by Jonah Hill and stars Diaz and Keanu Reeves, will be available for those with an Apple TV subscription on April 10. Then, you can really start counting down the days to the release of this new romantic comedy.

Long before Luke Grimes joined the Yellowstone cast and went to Montana to play Kayce Dutton, he was living in LA. Back when he first moved to California, he had quite the run-in with two iconic women, too. Now, he’s sharing the story from 20 years ago about the time he tried to hit on Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.

Now, as Grimes was promoting the release of his Yellowstone spinoff, Marshals, on the 2026 TV schedule, he dropped by The Drew Barrymore Show. When he walked onto the stage, the host seemed very excited to meet him. However, he quickly set the record straight, with the following conversation:

• Luke Grimes: You want to hear something crazy?
• Drew Barrymore: What?
• Luke Grimes: We've met before.
• Drew Barrymore: How, because I’ve…Where?

Well, he sure told her where. According to Grimes, they met at a club because he was dared by a friend to go up to her and Diaz, who have famously stayed friends since making Charlie’s Angels. In the Marshals star’s words:

In response to that question, Barrymore said “of course,” which prompted Grimes to continue his story. Recalling why he ended up walking up to her and Cameron Diaz while there all those years ago, the Yellowstone star said:

Barrymore, who was enamoured by this story, asked Grimes what happened after that. He explained that he did work up the courage to talk to the Charlie’s Angels stars. He also recalled the two actresses’ reactions to his pick-up line, explaining:

Barrymore quipped amid this that Diaz’s reaction felt on-brand. Meanwhile, she affirmed her own reaction too, telling Grimes, “Thank you for even trying to fake a pickup line.” So, clearly, she was charmed by this whole ordeal then and now.

All this reminded me of how much I’d love to see Barrymore and Diaz make a movie together. However, now I’m thinking a good co-star for them could be Luke Grimes. Maybe his game can be better in a movie than it was in that club two decades ago.

Now, I’d really be curious to hear what Cameron Diaz thinks of this story, especially now that Grimes isn’t an unknown actor. He’s a vital part of the Dutton family tree, a big CBS star, and you can stream his show (which airs live on CBS every Sunday at 8 p.m.) with a Paramount+ subscription.

We live in a time where it feels like movie franchises that were big in the 1990s and 2000s are the prime target for nostalgic movies, considering sequels to The Mummy, Practical Magic and The Devil Wears Prada are all on their way. That could also include Charlie’s Angels if what we’re hearing about Sony’s plans to call Bosley and bust out the angels pan out. Let's talk about it:

My Big Hope For The New Charlie’s Angels Movie

In a new report, Sony Pictures is hard at work on a new Charlie’s Angels movie, and they’ve already made their first hire. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Pete Chiarelli, who also penned The Proposal and Crazy Rich Asians, has been hired to pen the script. But, here’s the real kicker, the news also includes claims that Drew Barrymore and her production company Flower Films are involved, too. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Reunion!

Obviously, I’d love to see Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu back in action for a third Charlie’s Angels movie – especially since they remain friends over 20 years following making the movies together. Seeing Barrymore’s name on the report from an often very accurate source has me thinking it could happen. But, of course there’s also a possibility Barrymore hopes to take a more backseat, behind-the-scenes role in the next Charlie’s Angels movie, too.

What The Charlie’s Angels Actors Have Said About Returning

Since I’m taking this hope full throttle, let’s look back at what the trio of Charlie’s Angels actresses have said about returning for a sequel in the past few years. In 2022, Barrymore said she would make Charlie’s Angels 3 “in a heartbeat,” per Instagram. In 2024, Liu was asked and reacted by saying “I’m never going to say no to that,” but also expressed uncertainty about if it would ever actually happen. And then last year, when Cameron Diaz was promoting Back In Action, she said “it’d be amazing” to make the sequel.

In other words, it sounds like if the right script came along and all three women approved and had time in their busy schedules, it could be made. The only main actor that we’re doubtful would come back is Bill Murray after we heard there was a shouting match on set between him and Lucy Liu.

Sony eyeing a reboot for Charlie’s Angels comes seven years after the studio tried to revitalize the franchise that started in the 1970s with Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska. The movie directed by Elizabeth Banks flopped with a $73.3 million gross worldwide against a budget of $50 million. Banks has shared regrets about the movie being marketed “just for girls,” while Stewart said she “hated” making it.

Drew Barrymore currently spends most of her week filming The Drew Barrymore Show in New York City. Cameron Diaz is set to star in a movie with Keanu Reeves called Outcome this year, along with reprising her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5. Lucy Liu will star next in The Devil Wears Prada 2 coming this summer. While I don’t expect to hear more news about this until the script has been written, I’m crossing my fingers it will feature the 2000’s Charlie’s Angels somehow.

Cameron Diaz’s return to acting continues to look less like a comeback tour and more like a carefully curated reunion run, and her latest stop just happens to involve Keanu Reeves. After reuniting with Jamie Foxx for Back in Action, she is now back on a red carpet with Reeves, promoting Jonah Hill’s upcoming Apple TV film Outcome. And their back-and-forth about their reunion has me so excited.

The pair were spotted together this week during an Apple TV press event, where they chatted about working together again for the first time in nearly three decades. As shared in a red carpet clip posted by Entertainment Tonight on Instagram, Diaz made it clear she was thrilled about the reunion, saying:

The Matrix franchise actor, in classic Keanu fashion, kept things simple and sincere, enthusiastically agreeing with her take and adding a cheerful, “It’s niiiice!” The energy between them felt easy and unforced, like two people who never lost the shorthand that comes from shared history.

Of course, that history eventually led the conversation back to their first film together — and that’s where Diaz tried to slam on the brakes. When Feeling Minnesota came up, the actress immediately attempted to disown it with playful embarrassment, joking:

Reeves wasn’t having any of it. From his perspective, the experience was a blast, regardless of how the movie itself landed. Diaz, meanwhile, doubled down on her self-deprecation, insisting:

In case you weren’t aware — I admittedly wasn’t — Feeling Minnesota was a scrappy, offbeat 1996 crime comedy that leaned hard into messy romance and indie chaos, and yeah, maybe it wasn't seen as one of the best movies of the 90s, . Directed by Steven Baigelman, the film stars Keanu Reeves as Jjaks, a soft-spoken drifter who falls head-over-heels for Freddie (Diaz), an ex-stripper who’s just married his volatile brother, played by Vincent D’Onofrio. What begins as an impulsive runaway romance quickly spirals into a Coen-adjacent tangle of stolen money, double-crosses, and bad decisions, all wrapped in peak ’90s indie quirk.

The movie wasn’t a hit, and critics were split. Still, in hindsight, it plays as an early, slightly unhinged showcase of the Charlie’s Angels veteran’s comic confidence and the Speed actor’s gift for portraying earnest romantics stuck in horrible situations. Reeves, smiling, calmly disagreed yet again, reiterating how much fun he had making the film all those years ago. At that point, the Vanilla Sky actress fully leaned into the bit, adding:

The exchange is funny on its face, but it also highlights where Diaz is now. She’s comfortable poking fun at her early work, confident in how far she’s come, and genuinely excited about reconnecting with collaborators she trusts.

That mindset carries directly into Outcome, a dark comedy directed by Jonah Hill, in which Reeves plays a beloved Hollywood figure whose life unravels after he’s blackmailed. Diaz plays one of his longtime friends, alongside Matt Bomer, rounding out a cast that feels deliberately chosen rather than nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake.

If the red carpet energy is any indication, this reunion isn’t about reliving the past. It’s about two actors meeting again with more confidence, sharper instincts, and a much better sense of humor. Fans will be able to enjoy this reunion thirty years in the making when Outcome lands on one of the best streaming services on April 10, 2026, for everyone with an Apple TV subscription.

Everyone has a favorite holiday movie. For some, It’s A Wonderful Life is the definitive classic, despite not being a giant success at the box office. For others, films like Home Alone, A Christmas Story or even (sometimes disturbing) classics like Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer are appointment viewing. However, for lovers of the best rom-coms out there, one of the main Christmas choices is usually The Holiday. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 20 years since the movie has been in our lives, but after Nancy Meyers shared some behind-the-scenes pics with the young, young cast, I’m starting to believe it.

Nancy Meyers recently shared a bunch of BTS set photos from The Holiday with her fans. There’s one awesome pic of Cameron Diaz gearing up for her infamous punch scene with Edward Burns and another with Diaz playing with the young actress, Milly Englefield, who I just realized is a full-blown adult now. (26!)

Meyers said she shared the photos because people keep “tagging her” in their own posts about watching The Holiday, and she seemingly wanted to give back. I do love seeing all these throwback memories from set, but it’s giving me some holiday humdrum as well, as I’m starting to contemplate my own mortality over here.

The Holiday originally hit the big screen in 2006. At the time, Kate Winslet would have been 31, Jude Law was 34, Cameron Diaz was also 34, and Jack Black was 37. So, of course they look younger than their 50+ years now; I’m not totally losing it. What I do find hard to compute is how I was in high school when this movie came out, and how I am now older than the cast was when they filmed the popular flick. Time is just slipping through my fingers even as I write these words.

I think fellow holiday actor Macaulay Culkin put it most aptly just a few years ago: “Wanna Feel Old?”

A few years back, we’d caught wind of the fact a sequel to The Holiday was potentially in development. A few years have passed since then, with nothing official in the works, but I’d still like to see it or some other new collaboration from the cast come to fruition. Jack Black’s on a tear right now with Minecraft, Super Mario Bros and this Christmas’ 2025 movie release Anaconda, as is Kate Winslet, who’s about to debut her first directorial endeavor on Netflix, Goodbye June, that has people “weeping in their eggnog.” Even Cameron Diaz is working her way back into the acting game, so let’s make this happen people!

The Nancy Meyers classic can currently be watched with a Philo subscription this holiday season, so it’s oddly not streaming for free on one of the bigger platforms per usual. Luckily, I’m old enough I still have my DVD handy. So, excuse me while I pop on the kettle for some cocoa and contemplate my own mortality. Happy holidays?

During her career, Cameron Diaz has starred in a wide array of movies, in which she’s also played a varied assortment of characters. The slick Tina Carlyle of The Mask, the free-spirited Mary Jensen from There’s Something About Mary and the shady Jenny Everdeane from Gangs of New York are just a few of her on-screen credits. Of all the roles Diaz has played, though, there’s one character she seems to believe is the most unlikable. And, lucky for her fans, the film that includes that character is now available on Netflix.

One Of Cameron Diaz’s Wild Comedy Films Is Streaming In Time For The Holidays

December is definitely a perfect time to watch holiday movies, many of which can be streamed. While the Diaz-fronted title that recently hit the streamer does have some Christmas elements, it’s probably more suitable for those looking for raunchy gags. If you haven’t figured it out already, the movie in question is 2011’s Bad Teacher. The Sony Pictures-produced comedy became available for Netflix subscription holders beginning on December 1.

Helmed by Jake Kasdan, this school-set comedy centers on degenerate middle school teacher Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz), who schemes to win the affections of a substitute (Justin Timberlake). The cast also includes comedic stars like Jason Segel, John Michael Higgins and Molly Shannon. While the film received negative reviews upon its release years ago, it ultimately proved to be a box office success. The Diaz-led flick ultimately grossed around $216 million worldwide against a reported budget of $20 million.

Bad Teacher – which has great BTS facts – proved to be so successful that it even inspired a CBS TV show that bore its title. Ultimately, the show would only run for a single season of 13 episodes in 2014. Still, the OG movie still holds a place in moviegoers’ hearts. All the while, what I find funny is just how brutally honest the Charlie’s Angels legend was when talking about Elizabeth.

Cameron Diaz Shared Some Brutally Honest Thoughts About Elizabeth Halsey

Historically, Diaz hasn’t been one to mince words, especially when it comes to her work in Hollywood. In terms of the character she played in her teacher comedy from the early 2010s, Diaz shared some choice words about her during a press conference held years ago. While the fan-favorite actress said (via Far Out Magazine) that Elizabeth was a particularly “horrible” character, she also explained why she appreciated the part:

I can definitely understand how it would feel somewhat freeing to play someone who has no true moral compass. And, to her credit, Diaz plays Elizabeth to despicable perfection. Audiences may have more opportunities to see her play such a character, too, given Diaz is now out of her retirement from acting and is open to appearing in more movies, besides the ones she’s already lined up.

Following her feature film return in this year’s Back in Action, Cameron Diaz is starring in another Netflix film called Bad Day, in which she’s sporting a bucket hat and jorts. She’s also set to reprise her role as Princess Fiona in the much-anticipated Shrek 5. I’m not sure any character Diaz plays moving forward will match the wildness of Elizabeth, but I’d love to see her find another. For now, stream Bad Teacher on Netflix amid the holiday season.

Cameron Diaz is back in action… in Hollywood. A few years ago, it was confirmed that Diaz would come out of retirement to join Jamie Foxx in Back in Action (which became streamable with a Netflix subscription earlier this year). Diaz has since teamed up with the streamer again for another action comedy called Bad Day. Filming recently took place in New Jersey, and the leading lady was spotted on set. That detail doesn’t seem all that shocking, yet I wasn’t expecting to see Diaz in a bucket hat and jorts while on a scooter.

While a lot has changed on movie sets since Cameron Diaz took her break from acting, a few things haven’t. That includes the presence of paparazzi in the vicinity of a given production. Photographers managed to snap photos of Diaz amid production on her latest film, and her attire was eclectic, to say the least. In addition to the jorts and bucket hat, Diaz also wore a tracksuit top as well as a camouflage vest. Check it out:

This is certainly a look, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it, to be honest. What’s really throwing me off are the jorts, with that term being an abbreviated way of saying “jean shorts.” The bucket hat is also an interesting touch, though I’ll admit that it does add a bit of flair to the overall ensemble. In fairness, there have been plenty of movie characters who have somewhat offbeat senses of style. Fans can even look to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Bob Ferguson from One Battle After Another, as he gives off somewhat grungy “The Dude” vibes.

On that note, this reveal may provide a sense of the kind of demeanor that Cameron Diaz’s character has. Judging by the photo, she seems to be a bit free-spirited, though that’s just the vibe I get based on the expression she makes while riding that scooter in the street. Still, based on the official logline for the movie, the protagonist at least has one major mission on her mind.

Directed by Jury Duty’s Jake Szymanski and written by Laura Solon, Bad Day centers on a single mom who’s hell-bent on fulfilling a promise she made to her daughter. However, that quest just so happens to take place on the worst day of the mother’s life. The film has been described as a more comedic version of 1993’s Falling Down, which starred Michael Douglas in the lead role. Among those joining Diaz in this movie are Ben Schwartz, Danielle Brooks, Sam Richardson, Rob Corddry and Ed O’Neill.

This latest movie is part of a two-picture deal that the Charlie’s Angels alum signed with Netflix, and she’s reportedly been paid quite well. Per the agreement, Diaz is reportedly earning $45 million collectively for Bad Day and Back in Action, which hit No. 1 on the streamer back in January. So far, it would appear Diaz is still a bankable star even after having been away from acting for a while.

So I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if fans are seated and ready to watch Cameron Diaz in her new movie – even if she wears a jorts and a wild bucket hat. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at least curious about this film, and I’ll likely check it out when it arrives. However, I can’t quite say I’ll be doing any cosplaying around that time.

A release date has yet to be announced for Bad Day, though keep checking the 2026 movie schedule in case it does indeed land there. Also, keep checking out the 2025 Netflix movie schedule for updates on films set to drop by the end of the year.

At some point in recent years, I rewatched 1994’s The Mask for my daughter’s first viewing, and it both reaffirmed my VHS-worn fandom and also re-stoked my belief that the lack of a proper Mask sequel is among pop culture’s greatest failings. (Especially in light of Ace Ventura and Dumb & Dumber’s follow-ups.) I was understandably as jazzed as anyone when both Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz expressed interest in possibly returning to that universe, and now the film’s director Chuck Russell weighed in with his own sssssmokin’ comments.

The Mask remains one of Jim Carrey’s best movies, and one that made the actor a comedy staple to many fans during his prolific post-In Living Color run in the 1990s. As such, I still get a gross taste in my mouth knowing that its only live-action sequel was that Son of… debacle starring Jamie Kennedy. I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high here, but I love the eagerness Chuck Russell seemed to bring when answering Bleeding Cool’s question about his interest in making another Mask movie.

Addressing the tonal difference between his big-screen adaptation and its comic book source material, Russell says he’s game to bring these characters back, and doesn’t sound like he’d be opposed to darkening up the humor. In his words:

Horror fans like myself are likely aware that Chuck Russell's debut film was fan-favorite Freddy flick A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which brought Heather Langenkamp's Nancy back. He also directed 1988's stellar The Blob remake, followed by The Mask and 1996's Ah-nold action flick Eraser. He also helped turn Dwayne Johnson into a movie star with 2002's Scorpion King. So there's no arguing that Russell has genre range (or that his self-scripted movies are usually better than others).

I would personally lo-o-ove to see a new Mask movie that ups the ante on the comic book's bloodier subject matter while still maintaining Jim Carrey's over-the-top performance. Even 30 years after the first movie was released, he's proven himself to still be capable of gonzo physical comedy, and is someone who can still make falling down hilarious every time.

So at this point, Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz AND Chuck Russell have all weighed in positively about making another movie about Stanley Ipkiss and his otherworldly mask. So the ball would appear to be in Warner Bros.' court as far as finding someone to write a proper follow-up that's actually worthy of everyone's time. Since that's the key element to getting Carrey to sign back up.

What Jim Carrey And Cameron Diaz Have Said About The Mask Returns

While promoting his return as Professor Robotnik for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 2024, Carrey told ComicBook.com that it all comes down to the story, despite any jokes he makes about money being the key factor.

Cameron Diaz, who reversed her acting retirement for Netflix's Back in Action, shared her take on reuturning for another Mask movie earlier in 2025 that Jim Carrey's interest in going back to that world is all the impetus she would need to sign on, given that film was the one that turned her into a highly sought-after star. Here's how she put it:

I guess someone does need to ask the original mask if it would also be interested in returning. But even if it wants to be a diva and refuses to return, the props department can just create a new mask to replace it.

Why The Mask Movie Wasn't As Dark As The Comic Book

Coming off of two horror movies, Chuck Russell directing The Mask might have had fans thinking his adaptation would indeed be as dark and bloody as the comic. But as the finished product proved, it was far more of a family-friendly effort that toned down its criminal element in favor of more Looney Tunes-ish hijinks. To that end, Russell said he really wanted to lean into Carrey's rubber-faced talents.

Personally, I don't even need this hypothetical Mask sequel to have an extremely brilliant, Oscar-worthy script. I just want to see more reality-breaking CGI-silliness, regardless of how closely it hews to the character's sordid comic book tales. Just so long as showtime actually arrives at some point.

After Cameron Diaz’s years-long hiatus from Hollywood, she returned with a high-action bang with the 2024 Netflix movie Back in Action. Thanks to that particular project, she reunited with Annie castmate Jamie Foxx. Subsequently, it was announced that Diaz would reprise Princess Fiona in the long-awaited Shrek 5. Now, Diaz and the aforementioned streaming giant are teaming up for yet another action movie that I'm hoping will land on the 2026 movie calendar alongside the aforementioned animated legacy sequel.

Cameron Diaz’s Netflix Partnership Continues With Bad Day

After starring in Back in Action, Diaz expressed an openness to making more movies. Thankfully, that will indeed be the case, as THR reports that she's set to headline Bad Day, an action comedy. Jake Szymanski, who's known for his work on Jury Duty and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, is directing the film. Diaz is also reuniting with a former collaborator in Beau Bauman, who produced BiA. Work on the film is reportedly coming together quickly, too, as production is being fast-tracked for filming to begin later this year on the East Coast.

Bad Day is set to focus on a single mom (Cameron Diaz) as she goes through a worst-case scenario situation while trying to keep a promise to her daughter. Per the trade, some are likening the film to a lighter version of the 1993 drama Falling Down, which famously stars Michael Douglas. Based on these few details alone, I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be a comedy of errors not unlike There’s Something About Mary, and I wouldn't be mad at that.

How Did Cameron Diaz's Previous Netflix Movie Come Together And How Did It Perform?

It's wonderful that the Charlie’s Angels icon is remaining in the acting game, especially considering how long she stayed away from it. From 2014 up until 2022, Diaz turned down various projects and was content living a private life while starting up (and creating Avaline wine). What seemingly convinced Diaz to unretire was Jamie Foxx's insistence and the prospect of the role she'd get to play in their movie. On top of that, she also received a wildly large Netflix paycheck for two movies.

Back in Action (which is still available to stream with a Netflix subscription) centers on two ex-spies who's married life in suburbia with their kids is suddenly upended. While the film didn't become a critical darling, it did reach No. 1 on Netflix during its debut, and it reportedly raked in a lot of views. The ending of the film tees up a sequel and, while that hasn't been confirmed, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

Surely, Netflix is hoping that Cameron Diaz's next film can also find an audience. If Bad Day does connect with audiences, I wouldn't be surprise if the streamer tried to remain in business with the beloved star further. At the risk of getting ahead of myself, though, I'm just eager to see how this next movie turns out.

Hopefully, further updates on Bad Day -- specifically casting news -- will arrive sooner rather than later. In the meantime, check out the 2025 Netflix schedule to see what's hitting the streamer soon.

Everybody deserves a break every once in a while, and that includes actors. Some of Hollywood’s finest have even indulged in stepping away from the camera for years on end, such as these celebrities.

Joe Pesci

Academy Award winner Joe Pesci went eight years without an acting role, the last being in Lethal Weapon 4, before making a cameo in 2006's The Good Shepherd. He finally appeared in another starring role in 2010’s Love Ranch, lent his voice to 2015’s A Warrior’s Tale, and later received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Russell Buffalino in 2019’s The Irishman. He waited another four years to break retirement for Peacock's Pete Davidson-led TV show, Bupkis, and a boxing movie called Day of the Fight.

Ke Huy Quan

After making a name for himself in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, Ke Huy Quan appeared in nothing between 1996’s Red Pirate and 2002’s Second Time Around, during which he worked as a stunt coordinator for movies like X-Men and The One. He was absent from the screen for another 19 years before showing up in Finding Ohana, but the former child star’s huge comeback came the following year with his Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Meg Ryan

Following 2009’s Serious Moonlight, Meg Ryan appeared in a few episodes of Web Therapy between 2011 and 2013 before returning to cinema as star and director of 2015’s Ithaca. That same year, the When Harry Met Sally... actor appeared in a TV movie called Fan Girl and, eight years later, she wrote, directed, and starred in a 2023 rom-com called What Happens Later.

Eddie Murphy

After winning the Razzie for “Worst Actor of the Decade” in 2010, Oscar-nominated former Saturday Night Live star Eddie Murphy decided to take a year-long break that turned into a six-year hiatus, according to an interview with People. He came out of retirement to play the title role of a 2016 drama called Mr. Church before earning a Golden Globe nomination for portraying Rudy Ray Moore in 2019’s Dolemite Is My Name.

Joaquin Phoenix

The world would eventually discover that Joaquin Phoenix's claim that he was retiring from acting in favor of a rap career was all a hoax for Casey Affleck’s 2010 mockumentary, I’m Still Here. However, he did briefly step away from the spotlight during that time, following the 2009 release of Two Lovers. He made his official return in 2012 with Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and would go on to win an Oscar for Joker in 2019.

Rick Moranis

After playing Wayne Szalinski a third time in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, the widowed Rick Moranis decided to step away from acting and focus on raising his children. The Canadian comedy legend would only come out of retirement for voice acting, such as in the Brother Bear movies and a cameo on The Goldbergs as the voice of his Spaceballs character, Dark Helmet.

Marlon Brando

Two-time Academy Award-winning legend Marlon Brando announced that he would retire from acting after starring in 1980’s The Formula. However, the Godfather star would return nine years later for A Dry White Season, which he followed with memorable performances in the likes of 1990's The Freshman and Don Juan DeMarco.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger's last major acting gig before taking office as the governor of California was the title role of 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Not counting a few uncredited cameos during his political stint – namely in The Rundown, Around the World in 80 Days, The Kid & I, and The Expendables – the Austrian-born bodybuilder made his official return to acting as part of the ensemble cast for The Expendables 2.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling has taken a few breaks throughout his largely successful career, starting with his hiatus between 2007’s Lars and the Real Girl and Blue Valentine in 2010. The Oscar-nominated Canadian heartthrob stepped out of the spotlight again after 2018’s First Man before coming back for Netflix’s The Gray Man in 2022.

Cameron Diaz

The timeline of Cameron Diaz's acting career experienced a gap after she starred in the 2014 remake of Annie with Jamie Foxx. The Charlie's Angels star spent the next 11 years focusing on raising her family and entrepreneurship before making a comeback in 2025 with Netflix's spy comedy, Back in Action, which also stars Foxx as her husband and espionage partner.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Following his Academy Award-winning performance in 2015’s The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio took a break from the craft, during which he focused on environmental activism. He would reemerge with an Oscar-nominated performance as, ironically, an actor fearing he may be nearing his time of retirement in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019.

Brendan Fraser

We did not see Brendan Fraser in a movie for five years, between 2014’s The Nut Job and The Poison Rose in 2019. The actor has credited that hiatus with his allegation against then Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk, whom he claims assaulted him in 2003. While the Mummy star did some TV work during that time, it was strange to see the A-lister completely absent from the big screen for so long, making his subsequent comeback and Oscar win for 2022’s The Whale such a refreshing moment.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes' last major film role before settling down to focus on raising her family was 2014’s Lost River, which is written and directed by her longtime partner, Ryan Gosling. However, in 2021, the model-turned-actor would lend her voice to an episode of Bluey, which she and her children are fans of, as she told People.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin is, thankfully, a former child star who still acts, but there was a significant gap between adolescence and adulthood in which he was almost nowhere to be seen. After playing the title role of 1994’s Richie Rich, which earned him a Razzie, he took a break, only to emerge nine years later with his most mature role yet, in Party Monster.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis has always been known to keep a few years of space between each acting role, but the widely revered Academy Award winner announced that he would be officially retiring after starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread in 2017. In 2024, it was announced that he would make a return to star in his son, Ronan Day Lewis’, directorial feature debut, Anemone.

Sean Connery

It seemed like Sir Sean Connery was done with acting after the critical and commercial failure of 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which the actor was openly critical of. However, the Scottish former James Bond star did come out of retirement once in 2012 to voice the title role of Sir Billi (also known as Guardian of the Highlands in the US) before he passed away in 2020.

Renée Zellweger

After starring in My Own Love Song in 2010, Renée Zellweger stepped away from Hollywood to focus on her humanitarian efforts. She would return to reprise one of her most iconic roles in 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby and would go on to win her second Academy Award for her performance as Judy Garland in the 2019 biopic, Judy.

Martin Lawrence

After dressing in drag a third time for Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son in 2011, Martin Lawrence decided to focus on his family and return to stand-up, and even released a comedy special in 2016 called Doin’ Time. The comedian would come out of acting retirement for The Beach Bum in 2019 and return to the Bad Boys franchise the following year.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda, who earned Academy Awards for Coming Home and Klute, would take a break from acting after starring in 1990's Stanley & Iris. She made her return 15 years later to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in the rom-com, Monster-in-Law.

Matthew McConaughey

After mediocre comedies seemed to define his career for a while, Matthew McConaughey took a break from movies after the release of 2009’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. He returned to the big screen in 2011 for what would be labeled the McConaissance with more serious roles in the likes of The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, and his Oscar-winning turn in Dallas Buyers Club.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar's absence from the big screen alone (between Veronika Decides to Die and Do Revenge) lasted 13 years, if you don’t count her role in the English dub for the Peruvian 2012 animated film The Illusionauts. However, she did not even have any small screen roles between 2016 – when she appeared in an unaired pilot for a Cruel Intentions sequel series and guest-starred on Those Who Can’t – and 2019, when she made a cameo as herself on The Big Bang Theory.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire played Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice in 2014, the same year he also starred in and produced the miniseries, The Spoils of Babylon. He would not appear in another live-action production until reprising his variation of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, but did lend his voice to 2017’s The Boss Baby.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence had an endlessly busy decade, including leading the Hunger Games movies and her Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook, before deciding to take a break after saying goodbye to the X-Men movies franchise with 2019’s Dark Phoenix. She would return just two years later, however, with Adam McKay's Oscar-nominated satire, Don’t Look Up, in 2021.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle was at the top of his game in 2005 when he chose to leave his successful Comedy Central sketch comedy series, Chappelle’s Show, and leave the country, due to creative differences and pressures. He would make infrequent appearances at comedy clubs for the next decade before returning to acting in Spike Lee’s 2015 satire, Chi-Raq, hosting Saturday Night Live the following year, and releasing a series of acclaimed Netflix stand-up specials in 2017.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder took a brief break from acting in the wake of media scrutiny following her shoplifting case. After her role in 2002’s S1m0ne, she narrated the 2003 documentary, The Day My God Died, and had an uncredited cameo in 2004’s The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things before returning in 2006 with The Darwin Awards and A Scanner Darkly. Of course, her big comeback came a decade later with her main role in Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Tom Holland

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, announced that he was taking a break from acting after filming his dark role in 2023’s The Crowded Room. It was revealed the following year that he was cast in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams has taken a few brief, periodic breaks throughout her career. For instance, at the dawn of her busy A-list status, she did not appear in a movie between 2005’s The Family Stone and 2007’s Married Life. She later took another two-year hiatus between 2018’s Game Night and the Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Phoebe Cates

Phoebe Cates was one of the most popular stars of the 1980s, with memorable roles in the likes of the horror-comedy classic, Gremlins, and the high school movie favorite, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Her popularity did not repeat in the '90s because, after starring in the title role of 1994’s Princess Caraboo, she would retire from acting, only to return just once more for 2001’s The Anniversary Party.

Gaby Hoffmann

Gaby Hoffmann came to prominence at a very young age with roles in enduring classics like Uncle Buck, Field of Dreams, Now and Then, and Sleepless in Seattle. Later in life, she did not appear in a movie between 2001’s Perfume and 2007’s Severed Ways, and eventually made a more memorable comeback with Emmy-nominated turns on Girls and Transparent.

Jim Carrey

After playing Dr. Robotnik in 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim Carrey's only acting roles since would be reprisals of the role for sequels to the video game movie. Perhaps this should be considered the retirement he had announced in 2022.

Emma Watson

Playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies made Emma Watson one of the biggest stars in the world. However, she would step away from acting for a while after starring in 2019’s Little Women as Meg March.

Chuck Norris

After starring in a straight-to-video action film called The Cutter and reprising Cordell Walker in a TV special called Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire in 2005, Chuck Norris took a break from acting. He would later to return in 2012 for an appearance in The Expendables 2.

For the first time in over a decade, Cameron Diaz has returned to the world of acting. Her new film, ironically titled Back In Action, released on the 2025 movie schedule in January and was met with much fanfare from Netflix subscription holders and more. Before that, the last time she'd appeared in a film was for the 2014 remake of Annie. In that time, Hollywood has seen some widespread changes, specifically in regard to on-set conduct, and she recently spoke to that subject.

It was not the fan-favorite actress’ idea to come out of retirement but, after some convincing from former Annie co-star Jamie Foxx, she stepped back onto a movie set for the first time in nearly a decade. What she found was a completely different set environment than the one she left. When asked about the differences working in Hollywood since she retired, by Krista Smith of the Skip Intro podcast, Diaz immediately pinpointed the reason behind the changes:

Cameron Diaz got her start in Hollywood when she was 21 and cast in a lead role in 1994's The Mask opposite Jim Carrey, with no prior acting experience. From that moment on, she was a Hollywood darling, exploding onto the scene in classics like My Best Friend’s Wedding and There’s Something About Mary. Clearly though, being a young actress in the ‘90s and early 2000s was not easy, as stars like her have discussed the misogyny and predatory behavior that went unchecked on sets at that time.

The allegations against imprisoned film producer Harvey Weinstein are essentially what sparked the Me Too movement in 2018. While the Holiday actress herself has not made any claims against Weinstein, the content of the accusations did occur amid the height of Cameron Diaz’s acting career. While Diaz was only ever in one Miramax film produced by Weinstein (Gangs of New York), that doesn’t necessarily mean she wasn’t subjected any kind of harmful environment during her career as she alluded to during her recent interview.

In recent years, though, production companies have implemented preventative measures and sweeping changes to create a new set standard. That's a filming environment that the actress says she has not experienced until now:

In her 10-year retirement period, other big events helped forever changed Hollywood, namely the Writers’ Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023, during which creatives fought for better pay and safeguards against AI. These issues were largely a product of the streaming revolution, another phenomena that took over the film industry during the Vanilla Sky actress’ hiatus.

Even with all this new territory, Diaz has jumped right back in, despite a lot of personal life changes as well. For the first time while working in Hollywood, the What Happens In Vegas actress is a mother and a wife, something she was initially hesitant about balancing with a career. You wouldn’t be able to tell though–she’s still got the confidence and acting chops that made her famous 30 years ago.

She's already field questions about possibly joining The Mask and Charlie's Angels sequels. (If we get a follow-up for the latter franchise, with the original cast, I’ll be able to die happy.) In the meantime, though, I'm just glad to see Cameron Diaz back on the old grind and being able to do so in an industry that's evolved for the better. So don’t miss what is sure to be the start of a Diaz resurgence by streaming Back In Action on Netflix now!

There are plenty of celebrity couples who've tied the knot quickly, from Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth to Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello. A number of reality TV stars have done the same. However, not all of them stay together for very long. Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden are proving to be an exception, though. And, just recently, the Bad Teacher star was very candid about how her relationship with her rockstar spouse began

Cameron Diaz came out of retirement to star in a 2025 movie schedule release -- Netflix's Back In Action -- much to fans' excitement. The film’s release seemingly coincided with Diaz and Madden’s 10-year wedding anniversary, providing plenty to discuss on a recent episode of Artist Friendly with Joel Madden. In a comfortable environment, the actress chatted with her brother-in-law, who initially told his sibling he had no chance with Diaz. She ultimately opened up about the real reason she and her husband got married so quickly:

Whatever they're doing, it seems to be working. Part of it might have to do with the fact that Diaz’s hiatus from Hollywood started shortly before her relationship with Madden began. Up until now, she hadn't booked a single acting project throughout their marriage. That time away apparently allowed her to explore other passions and raise their kids, and the actress also explained it was just something she had to do. She seems excited to return to acting, but the There’s Something About Mary actress said on The Graham Norton Show that her break was the best 10 years of her life.

I honestly find it very refreshing to hear a celebrity talk so candidly about their life with their partner. What I also love is seeing a couple thrive while they're in the public eye. One could argue that such success just comes from finding the right person. And, based on Cameron Diaz’s comments, it sounds like once she found the Good Charlotte musician, she was done waiting:

The two truly are so sweet when it comes to appreciating each other, with Madden always sharing heartfelt messages on social media for birthdays and major milestones, including Diaz reuniting with Annie co-star Jamie Foxx for this new action flick. Initially, the actress had been apprehensive about acting while also being a mother, but her hubby has been supportive about her coming out of retirement, even sharing the following Instagram post the day before the premiere:

Since it was announced that Back In Action had secured Cameron Diaz, the actress has fielded questions about booking other projects. It’s confirmed she'll voice Princess Fiona in Shrek 5. Diaz has also hinted she’d be open to open to another Charlie’s Angels movie. Yet, she’s also set the boundary that she reserves the right to never star in another movie again, which I really respect.

Just because the fan-favorite actress actress decided to do the new action-comedy, she doesn't have to continuously book gigs from here on out. However, in the event that Cameron Diaz does choose to keep acting, it seems like she’s got a great support system at home, thanks to her marriage to Benji Madden.

Be sure to check out Back In Action now using a Netflix subscription!

It’s a new era for Cameron Diaz, who recently un-retired from acting to star in the 2025 movie release Back in Action. Fans appear excited to see the fan-favorite actress grace their screens once more. And, as this new age for Diaz continues, she’s looking back on some of her past cinematic successes. Such a film is the 1998 romantic comedy There’s Something About Mary. Diaz recently revealed the exact scene from the film that ultimately sold her on it, and I honestly can’t say I saw this one coming.

Which Scene From There’s Something About Mary Did Cameron Diaz Love Early On?

Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s fan-favorite rom-com centers around three men and their attempts to woo the titular woman. What ensues are wild hijinks that only the Farrelly brothers could craft. Ms. Diaz recently reflected on the movie while participating in an interview with Vogue, which was shared on YouTube. She recalled how before she signed on, she read a description of a scene that made her “literally fall off the bed.” It’s a moment involving Matt Dillon’s Pat Healy and W. Earl Brown’s Warren Jensen:

The scene in question involves Mary, Warren and Pat, with the latter ending up on the wrong end of Warren’s fist due to a misunderstanding. In the film, Warren – who is developmentally disabled – takes a strong dislike to those who mess with his ears. So, when Pat attempts to get his attention by moving one of his headphones, Warren swiftly strikes him. In my humble opinion, the scene is more shocking than anything. However, I can understand why it would garner laughs upon seeing it – or in the Any Given Sunday star’s case, upon reading it.

There Are Plenty Of Other Funny Scenes In There’s Something About Mary

I’d never want to take anything away from Cameron Diaz or anyone else who really enjoys that throat-punch scene. However, I’d say there are a few other great scenes in the film that arguably top it. For example, there’s the opening scene in which a teenage Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller) has an unfortunate incident while zipping up his fly. I also enjoy the 7-Minute Abs scene, which sees a hitchhiker trying to pitch that very idea to Ted before he (logically) shoots it down, much to the person’s disgust.

One particular scene that still stands out to me from There’s Something About Mary (one of the best ‘90s comedies) is the “hair gel” mixup. The NSFW incident involves Ted leaving a bit of a mess behind his ear after pleasuring himself. When Mary spots the residue, she’s given the impression that it’s hair gel and uses it for herself. The result is a section of her hair sticking up as she and Ted enjoy their date. I’d argue that this is one of the most recognizable scenes in the entire film.

Considering how beloved the movie is, it’s interesting that it’s yet to receive a sequel. However, the Farrellys did spark hope for a follow-up in November 2024, explaining that if an idea ever came to mind, they’d jump at the chance to utilize the characters again. What’s more is that Cameron Diaz now seems open to acting more often again, should something spark her interest. Just recently, she also expressed a willingness to join The Mask and Charlie’s Angels sequels.

Regardless of what Cameron Diaz decides to do next after deciding to come out of retirement, I’d say that There’s Something About Mary will remain one of her most iconic feature films. I’ll still say I’m surprised it was the throat-punch scene that sold her, but I’m honestly just happy the filmmakers were able to hook her, given her pitch-perfect performance.

Demi Moore has been receiving a lot of praise for starring in one of the best horror movies we’ve seen in years, The Substance – and was CinemaBlend’s collective favorite movie of 2024. On top of Moore being nominated for Best Actress by the Academy, she reunited with her fellow Charlie's Angels alums over 20 years after being in Full Throttle. Her conversation with Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu saw the iconic Hollywood actresses talking about Moore's powerful movie and her iconic FT bikini scene, of course.

The Charlie’s Angels Reunited With Demi Moore To Celebrate The Substance

Just recently, Cameron Diaz was asked about reviving Charlie’s Angels, following her return to acting for Netflix's Back In Action. It's unclear if that'll happen, but I'll certainly take Lucy Liu, Barrymore and Diaz appearing on Zoom together to celebrate Demi Moore’s The Substance performance for Vanity Fair. During their conversation, Lucy Liu said this of Moore’s Oscar-nominated work:

Imagine having all the Charlie’s Angels in your corner? Cameron Diaz was also very affected by Moore’s work in The Substance as well, saying this:

In The Substance, Moore plays a fictional Hollywood star named Elisabeth Sparkle who is fired from her aerobics TV show on her 50th birthday. While wrestling with no longer being valued in her industry, she decides to take a black market drug that allows her to create and be a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley) every two weeks. However, the drug leads to some complications in her life… to say the least.

With all of that in mind, the Mask star also applauded the way Coralie Fargeat's movie for how it “shredded” what a motion picture about the film industry could be and did it in the most “audacious, violent, crazy way that you could possibly do it.” The conversation on the Academy Awards contender was stimulating as was the recollection of the bikini scene from Full Throttle.

How Demi Moore Reflected On The Charlie’s Angels Bikini Scene With Her Co-Stars

Along with Demi Moore getting some major props from her former co-stars for The Substance, Drew Barrymore also lauded the Brat Pack member for joining Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle years ago. That casting came right after the actress had walked away from acting for a time. By that time, Moore had a ton of big movies under her belt. Barrymore talked about how Moore was a “badass” for walking away “at the height of success and taken time for herself” to raise her kids before returning to the business. Moore then said this:

Amid her promotion of The Substance, Demi Moore’s bikini scene from the action comedy has come up a few times. The Oscar nominee recalled chatter around her being in a bikini for the 2003 movie felt very “heightened” due to all the talk about how she looked. In regard to the scene, Moore has also admitted that she had no idea it would spark “such a big conversation,” but felt like it was just because she was 40.

It’s so great to see Demi Moore getting some support from her former co-stars and having some solid conversations with them about The Substance, Full Throttle and the film industry as a whole. I know I'll be rooting for her when the 97th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

Nothing has been confirmed at this point, but judging by the big tease during the Back in Action ending, there's certainly potential for a sequel, especially with the tease at the ending. And while I could go on a long spiel about what I think will happen in the follow-up to the remarkably popular Netflix movie, I instead want to focus on who I think could play Cameron Diaz’s on-screen dad (remember, his existence was teased just before the credits rolled?).

Considering the information provided throughout the movie about Diaz’s character, the fact that Glenn Close played her, and decades of watching all kinds of action and spy franchises, I’ve come up with a list of what I think are the best options. Here are my top picks for Back in Action 2 if the 2025 Netflix movie gets the teased sequel.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is probably the most obvious choice to play Emily’s dad in Back in Action 2, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad option. With plenty of experience in the world of spies – Slow Horses is one of the best Apple TV+ originals, and his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is underrated – and the ability to balance humor, drama, and action, this Academy Award winner would be tremendous.

I’m just over here imagining not only Oldman’s character and Emily having some kind of reunion after decades apart, but also the potential awkwardness of Matt meeting a father-in-law he never knew existed. Hell, just give me those two on some adventure and I’ll be happy.

Michael Douglas

Even though Emily’s mom, Ginny Curtis, played by Glenn Close, is British in Back in Action, it’s never mentioned if her father is a Brit or an American. That leaves the door open for all kinds of possibilities. One American actor I’d love to see enter the picture is Michael Douglas, who would be absolutely incredible as a long-lost father who probably has more tricks up his sleeves than years away from his daughter.

I'm not saying Back in Action 2 has to be some "what if" sequel to Fatal Attraction, in which Dan Gallagher and Alex Forrest had a daughter, but it would be great to see Douglas and Close share the screen again.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond used some ridiculous gadgets during his tenure as cinema’s most famous spy, and some of us have been waiting more than 20 years to see the beloved actor get back into the spy game. I would love to see Brosnan show up as Emily’s dad in a possible Back in Action sequel because there are just so many places the spy comedy could go.

Imagine this… Back in Action 2: Dads in Action, which would involve Brosnan and Jamie Foxx’s Matt having to team up to save Emily and/or their kids (I’m over here just laughing at a former spy loosely based on 007 coming to terms with being a grandfather). It probably won’t happen, but maybe I can manifest it.

Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline and Glenn Close were amazing together in The Big Chill. While a Back in Action sequel probably isn’t the best way for the two to share the screen again after 40-plus years, it could be a lot of fun, albeit a little absurd. Kevin Kline is one of those actors who can be great in just about anything, even when a movie is a honker like Wild Wild West, and generally seems to have a good time no matter the project.

After watching Kline’s work on Disclaimer, one of my favorite TV thrillers of 2024, I’m convinced he could pull off a British accent if they made the character from across the pond like Emily’s mom; they could also make him more dramatic and deranged like his small-screen character.

Kurt Russell

There are a lot of badass Kurt Russell characters from the actor’s decades-long career, and I think he’d be perfect for a silly spy-action comedy like Back in Action. If a sequel is made, it would be wild to see the man who brought Snake Plisken and R.J. MacReady to life play a spy who has been doing God knows what for the past 30 or so years.

He’s got the action chops, he has great comedic timing, and he’s charming as all hell, which makes Russell one of my top choices for the role of Emily’s dad. I would love to see him trading barbs with Cameron Diaz on screen, flirting with Glenn Close’s Ginny, or having awkward conversations with Nigel (Jamie Demetriou) about who’s the real “granddad.”

Michael Keaton

The list of great Michael Keaton quotes could get a little bit longer if the former Batman actor were brought in for Back in Action 2 (Bat in Action, anyone? No?). The prolific actor has a dynamic range and a mystique that you don’t see all that much, and he has long shown that he can be as crazy as can be whenever needed. That kind of energy would be perfect for a movie like this.

With roles like Beetlejuice, Keaton has proven he can be funny and lovable even when being a little evil and condescending, and all of those traits would mesh well with the characters who have already been introduced so far.

Antonio Banderas

I’m not just including Antonio Banderas as an option because I think it would make for a great Shrek reunion with Cameron Diaz, but I’m not saying that’s not one of the reasons, either. It would be hilarious to see Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots channel some of that energy for a live-action movie ahead of the release of Shrek 5, and I think they could make a funny father-daughter pairing.

Banderas, who has been great in action movies, comedies, dramas, thrillers, and pretty much every genre (yes, even musicals), could add a lot to the cast of the Netflix movie and give audiences a hilarious new character.

Jonathan Pryce

And then there is Jonathan Pryce, who has the acting chops to hold his own when sharing the screen with Glenn Close (as he showed in The Wife). Like Gary Oldman, Pryce has experience in the spy world, with his most recent offering also being Slow Horses. If he could channel that energy and make it a little bit more comedic, it could be hilarious. But on second thought, having Pryce be the straight guy in the mix could be even funnier.

Regardless of the direction the character would take, Back in Action 2 would be a lot better with someone like Pryce being a part of the cast.

Who knows when we’ll see the Back in Action sequel, or who’ll play Cameron Diaz’s on-screen dad? While we wait, there are plenty of great 2025 movies streaming for anyone with a Netflix subscription, with more on the way.

Stream Back in Action on Netflix.

The 2025 movie schedule ushered in the return of Cameron Diaz, who came out of retirement to star in Netflix’s Back in Action alongside Jamie Foxx. So far, the film has trended high amongst other titles on the streamer, and a number of fans have been pumped about Diaz’s return. At one point, though, it seemed that it might not be a possibility. Director Seth Gordon just revealed that he was told to not “even think” about reaching out to Diaz. Yet “extraordinary timing” and Foxx helped make it all happen.

As someone who’s not in the entertainment business, I’d imagine it would be challenging to land a major star for some sort of production. So the thought of trying to convince a beloved Hollywood actor like Cameron Diaz to get back in the saddle for a new film seems daunting. Seth Gordon recently recalled that stage of the development process and, while he was warned against trying to pursue the Mask icon, Jamie Foxx provided him with an in. Let’s just say, it’s all about who you know, in this case:

To be totally honest, I can understand why the Four Christmases helmer was discouraged from seeking out Cameron Diaz for the co-leading role of his latest film. Before she joined the Netflix original, her last feature film credit was 2014’s Annie remake, on which she also worked with Jamie Foxx. It’s truly wonderful when things work out in an organic way. Seth Gordon seems to be quite thankful for the They Cloned Tyrone star’s assist, based on the latter comments the filmmaker shared with THR:

Back in 2022, it was reported that Cameron Diaz’s unretirement actually wasn’t her idea, as it was her husband, Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, who encouraged her to take the leap. Diaz explained her decision while doing press for her comeback movie, admitting that her co-star and on-screen spouse’s enthusiasm helped move the needle. That definitely falls in line with the account shared by their director. It would also seem that the actress was well compensated, as Diaz was reportedly paid $45 million to star in two films.

Considering that the movie hit No. 1 on Netflix relatively quickly, now there’s the question of what lies ahead. Back in Action’s ending sets up a sequel and, as mentioned, Cameron Diaz did sign a two-picture contract. So it’s possible that she could be down for more. We’ll have to wait and see but, for now, fans should just be grateful that the stars aligned for Diaz to work with Jamie Foxx and Seth Gordon this time around.

You can stream Back in Action now using a Netflix subscription.

January hasn’t been a huge month for 2025 movie releases, but one exception has been Netflix, where the long awaited Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx vehicle Back in Action finally premiered. The movie has been praised for the main cast’s chemistry, some darling side characters and its ending, but there’s one overarching problem I had with the movie that falls in line with a lot of other other Netflix films.

Back In Action’s Ending Sets Up For A Sequel

Spoilers for Back in Action abound from this point. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. For a pretty straightforward action film, a lot happens in the last few minutes. Nigel (Jamie Demetriou) successfully manages to close the barrier to rein in baddie Chuck (Kyle Chandler). His boat explodes in show-y action movie fashion, but we later find out Chuck’s body is never found, leading to the possibility of his return in the future.

In a separate scene, the family has returned to the suburbs with Grandma (Glenn Close) and Nigel so that daughter Alice (McKenna Roberts) can finish out her soccer season. Foxx’s character Matt finds out his wife Emily has been keeping a secret from him: her father is still alive and may be the key to a new mission. Given the high-profile cast in the first movie, the fact that Diaz allegedly signed a lucrative contract to produce two movies with Netflix, and the fact Back in Action has stickied in the #1 slot on Netflix for days now, I’m feeling good about the possibility of a sequel and also that Diaz’s dad will probably be some big name stunt casting, too.

Honestly, it’s exactly what I’d expect from this sort of movie, and I'm pretty confident I will watch it whenever it comes out. But am I actively looking forward to it? No. Do I really care about these characters and where they're going? No... and unfortunately, that's a recurring problem with a lot of Netflix's movies.

The Frequent Struggle Netflix Films Face

Listen, I’m about to complain a little about Back in Action, but before I do that I want to acknowledge that I watched the film as soon as it hit the Netflix schedule, and when I finished, I felt like it was a perfectly nice way to spend a couple hours. I'm sure there are millions of other people who did the exact same thing. I know at least a few did because they work here and I talked about it with them. We all seemed to think the same thing: that it was cute enough.

And deservedly so. Diaz and Foxx’s action scenes look good. They have a fun little rapport in the movie, and most of the side characters are exceptionally well cast. There's also some comedy bits that work, and the whole thing has a fun little breezy vibe. You could do a lot worse things with your time than watch Back In Action, but would you be happy if you paid money to see it in theaters? Have you even thought about it again after you finished watching it?

Netflix has seemingly dumped a ton of money into original movies in recent years, and you can tell by the visual look of this one. Back In Action has A-list talent, some really expensive-looking action sequences, recognizable songs and it was shot in a lot of different outdoor locations. It took a lot of checks with a lot of digits to pull this off, but all they ended up with was a nice enough way to spend some time.

That's mainly because the script just isn't good enough. There are so many plot holes. I can accept some, given this is a goofy action comedy about two special agents faking their own deaths and moving to the suburbs, but what I can't accept are characters that have illogical motivations and basic story beats that don't make any sense at all.

Kyle Chandler gets fired from his job and is furious about not having a pension anymore; yet, he somehow manages to entice dozens of goons (and a helicopter pilot) to commit terrorism. Fine whatever. I'll go with that. Then he kidnaps his spy pals' kids when there's literally no reason to do so, and if he hadn't, the main characters probably wouldn't have followed him with such gusto. Then the entire government sits on its hands and watches our lead characters chase after him in a boat while a fake spy step-grandpa punches random keys, trying to get a barrier to go up so London doesn't flood. It, of course, does, just in time for Chandler to run his boat into the barrier and cause a massive explosion that curiously doesn't flood London.

I’m not saying these things to take the piss out of Seth Gordon, who I thought did a lot of cool stuff directing this film (but was also involved in writing it). I’m only bringing it up because these head-scratchers are just a few of at least a dozen that occur in the movie, and they're the sort of things that are the difference between people actually caring about this franchise and people thinking it was a nice enough way to spend some time.

Netflix has spent a ton of money on star power, not just with Back in Action, but also with vehicles like Red Notice, The Gray Man, etc. Executives have showed a willingness to pay for the actors and the type of action sequences that many of us want to see, but all of this money has only mostly yielded movies that are fine enough to watch on streaming but have serious problems if you watch them with a keen eye.

I think this is a problem with a lot of the movie content specifically created for the streamer. We get big names and a lot of spectacle, but there's not enough love and attention poured into the script and the substance to create something worth watching again. We've become accustomed to watching some of this stuff streaming with one eye trained on our phones, but even if some people are just going to view it casually, that doesn't mean it's not worth creating a cohesive story with flow and logic behind it.

I liked Back In Action well enough. I'm glad it was "included" with my Netflix subscription, but I won't think about it again until we get the sequel that's probably going to come in a few years. It's not going to stick in my consciousness or the collective consciousness of movie fans.

When that sequel does come, however, I'm really hoping to see more. There's something here with the chemistry and comedy and the action sequences, but I need more than that. I want to see a story everyone can be proud of too. Otherwise, no matter how good everything else is, we're just going to end up with another disposable Netflix movie, which has become a recurring theme.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet streamed the new feature Back in Action with a Netflix subscription, so be warned!

Even without all of the delays that impacted the eventual release of Back in Action, from Jamie Foxx’s sudden hospitalization in April 2023 to the Hollywood strikes and beyond, fans were still pumped about seeing the actor sharing the screen anew with his Any Given Sunday co-star Cameron Diaz in her return to acting. (Netflix reportedly paid her a king’s sum to come out of retirement.) And yet after watching it myself, I was rather surprised that the best thing about Back in Action isn’t either of its high-profile stars.

The action-comedy’s core plot also wasn’t the most logical or engaging on the whole, which is a point that many critics raised in disapproval, but I truly think the key element saving the film from becoming the first forgettable blockbuster of the 2025 movie schedule is the presence of BAFTA-winning comedian Jamie Demetriou. Few in the biz can instantly add 20-30% more quirky and comedic heft to a project like Demetriou can, regardless of where he slots on the call sheet.

Jamie Demetriou Steals Every Back In Action Scene He's In

From the moment he's introduced, Demetriou's wannabe MI6 agent Nigel is immediately the odd duck, and not only because he's is romantically involved with a woman 40 years his elder, Glenn Close's former sniper Ginny. (He's her "special little project," with much ick attached.) Despite all the pent-up friction between Diaz's Emily and her estranged mother, Nigel is eager to please.

After formally meeting Emily and Matt, whose handsomeness he definitely noticed, Nigel delivers one of the movie's funniest moments when talking to McKenna Roberts' Alice and Rylan Jackson's Leo:

Which Nigel then follows by breathlessly saying that he doesn't necessarily want to be seen by Matt and Emily as a father figure, but as a friend. Like quite a few other slices of dialogue in Back in Action, Nigel's comments lean more into trope humor than anything fully organic, but Demetriou still manages to make the lines feel entirely sincere to his character's rose-colored glasses worldview.

From there, Nigel and Ginny are thankfully brought into the high-octane action plot, albeit from the sidelines for a while. And he doesn't even need to be able to talk coherently to win viewers' attention, as proven when Ginny and Nigel are tied up with tape over their mouths.

I don't mean to take anything away from Glenn Close's performance here by glorifying all things Jamie Demetriou. She truly brings the perfect amount of credible gravitas and confidence to Ginny that Nigel clearly strives for, making his own sense of self-assurance that much more amusing in comparison.

What's more, he ends up being Semi-Hero of the Day by attaining possession of the ICS key and averting a potentially disastrous flood. Was it complete garbage that Nigel smacking the laptop in desperate frustration made everything magically work in his favor? Absolutely, but I'm not going to blame a deux ex machina on the actor himself.

Nigel And Ginny Should Get Their Own Back In Action Sequel

For all that Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz are genuinely entertaining to watch together on screen, I wasn't all that amped up by Back in Action's last-second sequel-priming reveal that Emily's father is also still alive and involved with something shady. I suppose it would be fun to for Alice and Leo to train up and join the action themselves, but it'd be hard not to judge the parents for allowing it.

Instead, I'd rather see Jamie Demetriou and Glenn Close specifically team up again for a second film where we get to see Ginny putting Nigel through the gauntlet of MI6 training, regardless of what overarching plotline they'd have to follow. To watch a bunch of legitimate agents raining judgment down on Nigel's bumbling optimism sounds like a cringe-covered treat.

I doubt director and co-writer Seth Gordon will actually go that route, when Diaz and Foxx are the obvious headliners here, but one can always hope. And during all that hoping, fans can also check out a handful of Demetriou's other A+ performances noted below:

• The Afterparty Season 1 - stream with an Apple TV+ subscription
• Stath Lets Flats Seasons 1-3 - stream with a Peacock subscription
• A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou special - stream with a Netflix subscription

Jamie Demetriou will also soon be seen in Jay Roach’s satire The Roses, as well as the upcoming Adam Sandler movie Jay Kelly, which is being helmed by Noah Baumbach and co-stars George Clooney, Laura Dern and plenty of other A-listers for the UK actor to shine amongst.

A number of fans rejoiced in 2022 when it was announced that veteran actress Cameron Diaz would come out of retirement for a new movie. That production ended up being the Netflix original Back in Action, and it sees the beloved star teaming up with former collaborator Jamie Foxx. The 2025 movie schedule entry is seemingly receiving much buzz on the streamer, and many have expressed joy over seeing Diaz in a new film Now, a report provides details on how much she was apparently paid to come out of retirement.

How Much Was Cameron Diaz Reportedly Paid To Come Out Of Retirement?

Netflix’s complex film production model was recently analyzed in an extensive story published by Bloomberg. It specifically details the methods and strategies implemented by Dan Lin, who was named the chairman of the steamer’s film branch in 2024. Among the topics discussed in the article are Lin’s reported attempts to keep costs under control. However, despite that, sources say that the exec went the extra mile to land the Mask actress, as she was supposedly paid $45 million to appear in two films.

It goes without saying that that’s a lot of cheddar, especially to pay to a star who hadn’t starred in a film since 2014. Of course, we’re not just talking about any star here, as Cameron Diaz has a number of hit films under her belt. So one could theoretically understand why the streaming giant would be eager to make a deal with the beloved actress. It could be argued that it wasn’t a bad decision on Dan Lin’s part because, as of this writing, Back in Action is the No. 1 trending movie in the U.S. on the aforementioned platform.

Cameron Diaz hasn’t discussed cash when it comes to her reason for returning to the world of acting. Early on, it was reported that unretirement wasn’t her idea but that of her husband, Good Charlotte veteran Benji Madden. Just recently, Diaz discussed what prompted the move, chalking it up to not being able to turn down good friend Jamie Foxx’s offer to join him in the new film. The Holiday alum seems to be pleased with how everything turned out but, now, I wonder what lies ahead for her career and what could be a new IP.

What Does The Future Hold For Netflix’s Back In Action?

We won’t go into spoilers here, but the ending of Back in Action leaves the door open for a sequel. And, considering that the Bad Teacher alum is contracted for two movies with Netflix, it’s possible that a follow-up could be in the cards. The streamer, of course, has yet to make any announcement, which isn’t surprising due to the fact that the film just debuted on Friday. Still, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if a second installment were to be confirmed sometime soon.

However, a sequel would hinge on the availability of the two lead actors. Now that Jamie Foxx has recovered from his medical situation, he’s apparently been back to work as per usual. Meanwhile, Cameron Diaz has already nabbed a few film roles with the upcoming Shrek 5 and the black comedy Outcome already on the docket for her. As for whether those gigs mean she’s now fully jumping back into the industry, Diaz isn’t committing to acting full time again and is merely just open to whatever appeals to her.

What seems to be the case, though, is that Cameron Diaz is certainly drawing plenty of eyes, thanks to her newest movie venture. We’ll have to wait and see what lies ahead in regard to a potential new chapter in her career. For right now, though, it’s fair to say she managed to earn a nice payday for this film and another one.

Back in Action is now streamable for Netflix subscription holders.

One of the best movies on Netflix that just started streaming is Back In Action. The action comedy has Cameron Diaz starring in her first movie in over a decade after leaving Hollywood and saying “no to everything, other than for my wine.” With the actress taking acting jobs again, including an upcoming movie with Keanu Reeves and the next Shrek movie, could she return for some of the other famous movies she’s known for. She was recently asked about The Mask and Charlie’s Angels.

Would Cameron Diaz Be Up For Doing The Mask 2?

When Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx did press for Back In Action, which is now streaming for those with a Netflix subscription, the 52-year-old was asked if she’d be open to playing Tina Carlyle again after it became her first movie in 1994 – especially after Jim Carrey shared his interest in returning. In her words:

When Diaz spoke to Access Hollywood, Diaz was surprised to hear Jim Carrey would be game to be back for another The Mask movie. In an interview with ComicBook last month, Carrey didn’t exactly say that. He said “it has to be the right idea” and it’s “not really about the money” for him. We’ve been asking for a sequel to The Mask for years, and it would just have to have Cameron Diaz involved if it was ever made.

And, What About Charlie’s Angels 3?

Another sequel we would be over the moon for from Cameron Diaz’s career is another Charlie’s Angels movie with herself, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu. When a possible sequel was brought up to the actress, here’s how she and Jamie Foxx reacted:

Diaz: "It'd be amazing."

Foxx: "That would be insane, I would be throwing my hat in the ring to be..."

Diaz: I was gonna say, we need a Bosley."

Cameron Diaz was in two Charlie’s Angels movies as Natalie Cook in 2000 and the 2003 sequel Full Throttle, and they remain iconic action comedies. While we haven’t heard about a sequel, the latest news about the franchise came in 2021 when it was reported that Liu and Bill Murray had a shouting match on the set of the 2000 film. After it was alleged that Liu fired back at Murray for insulting her acting ability, Liu recently said she had no regrets over protecting herself during the confrontation.

Anyways, since Murray was Bosley in that version of Charlie’s Angels, Cameron Diaz threw in the name of her Back In Action co-star, and he seemed very excited by the idea. How cool would it be if Diaz was able to play one or both of these characters again?

Back in Action may be the name of the latest release on Netflix’s 2025 schedule, but it’s also a pretty accurate assessment on both of its stars. The spy comedy is Cameron Diaz’s first film in a decade after she turned down everything but her wine business,. Additionally, production was paused for a bit until Jamie Foxx was able to settle back in after his 2023 health scare. So was it worth the wait to see the reunion between these two (who previously appeared in Any Given Sunday and 2014’s Annie)? Critics screened the movie ahead of its January 17 release, and they’ve got some pretty brutal reactions.

Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx play ex-CIA agents who are forced to return to their super secret ways after having their identities exposed. The Back in Action trailer makes it look like we’re in for a fun and hilarious time, so should you be firing up that Netflix subscription to check this one out this weekend? Jim Vorel of Paste says maybe not, rating it a 5.0 out of 10. While the stunt work and choreography are pretty slick, the script is stuck in the past, the critic writes, continuing:

Taylor Gates of Collider rates it a 4 out of 10, saying Back in Action is “too formulaic to be fun,” and it struggles in tone as too adult to engage a younger audience but too kid-friendly to be considered one of Netflix’s sexiest movies. Gates says:

Nick Schager of The Daily Beast agrees the upcoming 2025 movie is a “major letdown,” saying no one was asking it to reinvent the wheel, but the “overwhelming banality of its every element is tough to stomach.” Harsh! Schager continues:

Christian Zilko of IndieWire grades it a C- and says Back in Action is as generic as they come. However, even with its simple premise and predictable twist, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx each making a comeback in their own way adds an undeniable layer of interest. In Zilko’s words:

Critics and audiences seem to agree with the above assessments, too, with Back in Action sporting middling scores on Rotten Tomatoes as it hits Netflix — one of the best streaming services — on January 17. Accumulated critics have rated it 58%, while the audience’s Popcornmeter is slightly lower at 50%. The action-comedy is available to stream now.

Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement for Back In Action with Jamie Foxx. Fans can watch the flick this weekend with a Netflix subscription, but the actress’ return to the big (small) screen was not always set in stone. She really dove into rebranding her life after marrying Benji Madden, she started a wine brand called Avaline with a delightful rosé, and she became a mom of two. That seemed to be her next step… until Foxx reeled her back into the industry.

Netflix spoke with Diaz ahead of the release of Back in Action and she opened up about what her life looked like during the 10 years she was out of the business. She said she was just trying to “keep it going” like most moms out there, and her focus was on selling a lot of Avaline wine (which she succeeded at). She spoke about her choices in what she thought would be her Hollywood exit.

But then something changed, and as it turns out that something is a very persuasive Jamie Foxx. She said the actor called her up and told her all about the action movie premise. She said it sounded like a person and a movie she could “have a ball with,” after previously sharing her return to Hollywood was something she felt she "had to do."

The new 2025 movie release has been a long time coming. I actually would have thought Back in Action would have hit the Netflix schedule sooner, but filming was interrupted while Foxx dealt with his health crisis and hospitalization in 2023. Feud rumors subsequently swirled about the two stars, but she’s been nothing but cool about working with Foxx through the elongated period the movie was coming together. Which I would assume would have been a bit tough given it was her first time on a set in years.

Listen, plenty of stars have said they would retire before coming back to make another movie. Famously among them was Jim Carrey, who admitted after appearing in Sonic 3 that he needed the money.

What I’d love to see from Diaz is sort of a hybrid. Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t really act anymore, but she shows up onscreen when the mood suits her, most recently voicing a character in American Horror Stories (which her husband Brad Falchuk partially created). She’s also set to star in an upcoming A24 movie with Timothée Chalamet playing a table tennis champion. I’d love to see Diaz on this sort of trajectory too, one where she could mostly focus on making wine – absolutely no hate on that front at all – but where she could still pick up a high-profile project every year or two.

In the meantime, Back in Action is an at-home flick and I fully plan to crack open a bottle of Avaline Rosé while watching it this weekend. If the girl’s gonna get back into acting I feel like I need to fully support it.

2025 may just be getting underway but the best streaming services out there aren’t saving the best for last. There’s an abundance of great movies and TV to watch this week whether you’re checking to see what’s upcoming on Netflix, what’s next on Disney+, or if you have all the streaming services at once and just need some help figuring out which app to open first.

Some highly anticipated new seasons of popular TV shows are here, as well as the finale of one of the most popular new streaming series. They are alongside a new Netflix movie that we once were afraid we might never get a chance to see. Here’s what’s coming up on streaming this week.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Finale - January 14 (Disney+)

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew has been one of the best reasons to have a Disney+ subscription in the last year. The show has been fun, funny, and very exciting. Unfortunately, the series comes to an end with this week’s episode. Whether or not we might see more of it may depend greatly on how the season wraps up.

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy - January 14 (Peacock)

With the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs set for May, the rapper and mogul is likely to continue making headlines for the next several months. What exactly went on at the star’s lavish parties, and how things got to this point, is the subject of a new series, Diddy: Making of a Bad Boy. The documentary may answer some of the fans' biggest questions, though Diddy’s legal team has already denounced the series and questioned the credibility of those that appear.

With Love, Meghan - January 15 (Netflix)

Meghan Markle doesn’t do much that doesn’t get a lot of buzz, of one kind or another. And such is the case with the latest project from the Netflix deal she and her husband made after leaving the royal family, With Love, Meghan. A lot of very loud voices have already condemned the series, which will see the Duchess of Sussex giving out cooking and gardening tips among other advice.

Harley Quinn, Season 5 - January 16 (Max)

A new DCU recently debuted on Max with James Gunn’s animated Creature Commandos, but that doesn’t mean that non-DCU animated projects are a thing of the past. Season 5 of Harley Quinn, the hyper-violent animated series, debuts this week if you’ve got a Max subscription.

Severance, Season 2 - January 17 (Apple TV+)

It's been nearly three years since Severance debuted and if you’ve been keeping your Apple TV+ subscription in order to be ready when Season 2 arrived, that patience is about to finally pay off. The early critical response to Severance Season 2 has been quite good, indicating that the long wait may have actually been worth it.

Back in Action -January 17 (Netflix)

Back in Action is a fitting title for a movie that Jamie Foxx almost didn’t finish making. It was during this production that Foxx had a health emergency that made headlines. Luckily, he survived, with apparently little to no lasting effects. The movie, which you can watch with a Netflix subscription, stars Foxx and a briefly out-of-retirement Cameron Diaz as a married couple and former CIA agents, who find themselves thrust back into the work they did before starting their family.

From great new series to high-profile movies it's a strong week no matter what streaming platforms you watch.

Cameron Diaz is set to be in one of the first 2025 movies, Back In Action, bringing her out of her retirement from acting. While Diaz has been away from the profession, she has had a successful marriage with Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden. The couple welcomed their second child in 2024 after having a daughter together in 2019. But, how did their love story begin? It actually all starts with Benji’s brother, Joel Madden and an airplane.

Cameron Diaz Met Joel Madden Before Falling In Love With His Brother

When Cameron Diaz guested on Artist Friendly With Joel Madden, she and her brother-in-law recalled the sweet way their meeting led to her marriage to her now-husband.

As they recalled, they became connected through Joel Madden’s wife, Nicole Richie, who the Good Charlotte lead singer has been with since 2006. While Richie and Gwyneth Paltrow went to take an exercise class Diaz wasn’t into, she ended up chatting with Joel Madden for two hours.

The pair quickly hit it off, as they recalled the following:

• Joel Madden: “And then, I told you all there – you don’t remember maybe – I said ‘Benj and you would be great together.”
• Cameron Diaz: “And then Gwyneth later said, ‘You know, he has a twin brother.’ And I was like ‘Yeah?’ [Shrugs] Great?’ I was like ‘Is it because he’s already taken that I’d just like…’?’”

While Diaz brushed off the suggestion at the time, the actress crossed paths with Joel Madden again about a year and a half later on a plane.

Here’s what happened next...

But, Joel Madden Wasn't Confident He Could Get Diaz

Cut to 2014 when Cameron Diaz was flying back from Australia while promoting The Other Woman. She ran into Joel Madden on her flight, and they hung out again. In Madden’s words:

It sounds like after running into Diaz again, Joel Madden was once again invested in his brother and The Holiday actress being a good match. However, he just didn’t believe it would work out.

So, he went home and told his brother about it but suggested it was “never going to happen.”

How Benji Madden And Cameron Diaz Became Husband And Wife

Sometimes dissuading someone can actually help their chances. Just look at Romeo and Juliet (for a minute there, at least). Or, for a more successful story, look at this tale about Diaz and her now-husband, Benji Madden.

To that point, the Charlie's Angles actress said this in response to the comments Joel Madden made to his brother:

Hey, if you put your mind to it, anything can be achieved, and Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz were the right fit for each other after all.

Joel Madden continued this fun story with these words:

How sweet is this story? Cameron Diaz might be done with rom-coms, but it sounds like she lived one! And she still is, as she now shares two lovely kids with her husband.

Now, while we hold out hope for more stories about Diaz and Benji's love story, you can check out the actress in the trailer for Back In Action ahead of its release for those with a Netflix subscription on January 17.

There’s so much to be excited about when it comes to Back In Action. It marks Cameron Diaz’s return to acting, it looks like an incredibly fun entry on Netflix’s 2025 schedule, and it means we’ll get to see the actress and Jamie Foxx working together once again. However, the anticipation surrounding this movie has been hit with a few hurdles in the lead-up to its release, including rumors that the two stars were feuding. However, they recently took to a piano to hilariously sing about their friendship and fully prove that there’s no bad blood between them.

Now that we’re less than a month away from Back in Action’s release, Diaz and Foxx’s press run has begun, and Netflix posted this video of them performing a silly duet about their 25-year friendship, take a look:

In the video, Diaz noted that they became friends on Any Given Sunday, which was the first film they worked on in 1999. So, they’ve been pals for as long as I’ve been alive…let that sink in for a second.

To contextualize their long-lasting friendship even further, the Ray star hilariously sang about how they’ve been friends since before Apple made iPods. Then Diaz quipped that she’s made four Shrek films in that time (and she’s working on the fifth Shrek film now too).

Overall, this was a fun and silly way to remind everyone just how long these two have been friends. Plus, it emphasized the chemistry Diaz and Foxx share that is also on display in the Back in Action trailer. Oh, and, on top of that, it squashed the rumors that they were feuding while working on their latest film.

This video has people flashing back to the alleged drama that bubbled up over a year ago. In a report from The U.S. Sun in March 2023, it was alleged that Foxx had “a major meltdown” over the film and “demanded the problems be sorted immediately and sacked four of the production staff.” Then, The Daily Mail alleged that Diaz wanted to leave acting again because of this drama.

Months later, in December 2023, The Holiday actress went on Molly Sims’ podcast (via Page Six) and made her love for Foxx clear. While she said there were “hiccups,” she also explained that that’s “natural” and reasserted her appreciation for her co-star.

Bringing it all back around to the video Netflix posted, it’s very clear that there’s no bad blood between these two. Their friendship is still going strong, and it seems like they’re very excited about their film on the 2025 movie schedule, and so am I.

So, let’s put past rumors in the past and focus on the facts and the future. Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx have been friends for forever in my book, they’ve worked together on numerous occasions, and it’s obvious that they’re down to clown. That leaves us with a lot to look forward to when we use our Netflix subscriptions to watch Back in Action on January 17.

Across the nearly two decades The Holiday has warmed rom-com lovers' hearts, it has become one of the best Christmas movies to watch around this time of year. In recent years, there have been whispers of a sequel being in the works along. With that, fans of the film have been calling for a reunion between Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz in a follow-up film. Now, with the buzz at an absolute frenzy, Winslet is sharing thoughts on the prospect of another film.

Kate Winslet Weighs In On The Holiday 2

The Oscar winner famously played an English woman named Iris in The Holiday. In the film, the character has been emotionally strung along by her ex-boyfriend and co-worker, Jasper. Amidst news that Jasper is engaged, she decides to travel to Los Angeles for the Christmas holiday via a home swap website. Cameron Diaz’s Amanda, who is dealing with her own breakup, spends the holidays in her dreamlike cottage (which we recently learned never existed).

Both women have their own unexpected love stories, and the results are absolutely charming. When asked about the potential for a sequel, the Titanic icon had this to say to Deadline:

While Kate Winslet claimed that she’s never been approached for a sequel to the 2006 movie, she sounded interested in reprising her role as Iris. She seems to be under the impression that there's room for another story to be told. However, it's still unclear as to whether it'll actually come to fruition.

Is The Holiday 2 Happening?

While there was a rumor circulating in 2022 regarding The Holiday receiving a sequel, writer/director Nancy Meyers quickly debunked it. At the time, she said, “sorry but its not true.” However, last week, Meyers and Jude Law reunited when the actor earned a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. While they were together, they recorded this:

What a tease! Said clip lit a serious fire under the fans as well, who responded with some great comments. While it seems like the pair were using the video to play around with the constant questions regarding a second Holiday movie, perhaps they really did talk about what could be next during their lunch? When Jude Law was also recently asked by ComicBook.com about a follow-up to the Christmas classic, he said this:

It really does sound like much of the cast would be open to returning should an idea strike for Nancy Meyers. Previously, Jack Black also called Kate Winslet his favorite co-star he’s worked with. Oh, and after Cameron Diaz hung up acting for nearly a decade, the actress has been back at it lately with the upcoming movie Back In Action and Shrek 5. So, while nothing has been announced at this point, there may be reason for fans to maintain their hype over a theoretical sequel.

I'll be hoping for a Christmas miracle when it comes to this dream reunion. For now, you can watch The Holiday with an Amazon Prime subscription now before it leaves the streaming service in 2025.

For two decades straight, Cameron Diaz was in at least one movie a year, and she had hit after hit on her hands. However, for the last decade, she has stepped away from acting completely. But, her acting hiatus recently ended when she signed up for Netflix’s 2025 movie release Back In Action. Now that fans are excited to see her in her first movie in years, one has to wonder if she’s interested in a full-blown comeback. Well, the actress has shared her initial thoughts on the subject.

Since the Back In Action trailer dropped last month, the comments have been flooding with love for Cameron Diaz and her return to movies. And, it’s certainly been a long time coming, considering her last movie was 2014’s Annie. So, when she was asked if she’s back for good now that she’s got a spot among Netflix's upcoming movie and TV show release dates, here’s how she responded:

In an interview with Empire, Cameron Diaz decided not to label the next chapter of her career following Back In Action. However, she’s definitely not crawling back into retirement right away, considering it was announced she’ll be in 2026’s Shrek 5 alongside Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. She also recently filmed an AppleTV+ comedy called Outcome alongside Keanu Reeves.

The actress does, however, have an idea of which popular genre she won’t be running back to. As she stated:

Cameron Diaz has been part of some of the best romantic comedies over the years, from My Best Friend’s Wedding to The Holiday. But, as the actress announced, she’s making a rule for herself not to dive back into that genre going forward.

So, while it sounds like we could very well have a Cameron Diaz comeback of sorts on our hands, she’ll likely be picky about what she chooses to star in.

One might think the Charlie's Angels star might be rusty after all that time away from acting, but the 52-year-old looks just as hilarious as ever, and kicks a ton of butt in her new movie. Check out the Back In Action trailer here:

In the Netflix movie, Cameron Diaz reteams with Jamie Foxx from 1999’s Any Given Sunday and 2014’s Annie to play former CIA spies who are pulled back into the world of espionage years after starting a family together. So, not only is she back in the acting game, she's also quite literally back in action.

You can watch Back In Action with a Netflix subscription on January 17.

2006’s The Holiday is one of the best Christmas movies as well as one of the best romm-coms, so naturally I find time to watch the movie starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet. But Law just spoiled one dream that always springs out of my yearly rewatches of the modern classic in four words when he was recently asked about the adorable cottage Winslet’s character owns in the movie.

When Jude Law guested on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show in promotion for the Star Wars: Skeleton Crew premiere on Disney+ next week, he was asked about the famed English cottage where Cameron Diaz’s Amanda stays before falling in love with Jude Law’s character, Graham, the brother of its owner (Kate Winslet’s Iris). Here’s the swift sentence that dashed my dreams of ever seeing it in person, and perhaps staying there, too:

Excuse me? Much like myself, the hosts of the BBC Radio show (via Instagram) were nearly traumatized by the revelation. So many famous homes from movies often belong to real people, and if they are famous enough become destinations for movie fans. Jude Law explained how the cottage doesn’t exist with these words:

Writer/director Nancy Meyers, who also famously made The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan, Something’s Gotta Give and It’s Complicated, had a specific vision for the cottage in The Holiday. And when she couldn’t find the house she wanted for the movie via location scouting, she decided to have it built for the movie. As the movie business goes, the whole house wasn’t likely built and only used for exterior shots. As Law shared, whenever the characters would move into the cottage, they would not be in the cottage at all, but on a set in Los Angeles, California. Hollywood sure is wild sometimes.

When Jude Law previously spoke about The Holiday to Vanity Fair, Law shared that because they filmed the exteriors in London and then the interiors in Los Angeles a few months later, fans can look closely and perhaps notice Graham is rather tan in all his indoor scenes. While this revelation certainly spoils some of the fantasy of the movie, it’s not going to stop me from rewatching every year, and Graham being one of those fictional men who set my standards high.

A couple years ago there was talk of a sequel, before Nancy Meyers said it was not true. Jack Black shared his own hope to get back with the cast last year, but considering this revelation, I guess they’d have to build the cottage all over again if they did make a second movie. You can watch The Holiday now with an Amazon Prime subscription.

The year is winding down and, as a result, a number of cinephiles may be thinking about what lies ahead on the 2025 movie schedule. Early in the year, they can expect to see a Netflix production by the name of Back in Action, which is co-headlined by Jamie Foxx. And joining the Oscar winner is Cameron Diaz, as she came out of retirement to star alongside her buddy in the action flick. The first trailer for the film dropped last week and, since then, fans have been reacting, with many expressing delight over seeing Diaz on their screens again.

Back in Action’s trailer teased a madcap adventure filled with thrills, chills and humor. So far, the fresh batch of footage has received some solid buzz and, as it stands, Netflix’s official posting on YouTube has received over two million views. In addition, more than a few fans have taken to the comment section to weigh in on the upcoming blockbuster. Admirers also reacted on Instagram and, if you look at the sentiments, you’ll find that people are especially pumped to see the Charlie’s Angels icon in the mix. Check out what one user said:

This may be hard to believe, but it’s been over a decade since Cameron Diaz last starred in a film. Her last credit was the 2014 Annie remake. So you can probably understand why people are so eager to see the star, well… back in action, and you may even feel the same way. Just recently, Diaz explained that she retired because she felt a true need to step away from business in order to “reclaim [her] own life.” Hopefully, she had enough time to do just that before signing on for this new movie. Another admirer took to IG and said the following:

Of course, what’s also appealing about the production is the notion of seeing the Mask icon paired up with Jamie Foxx, who she last worked with on Annie. Fans seem excited for the duo to share the screen, and the prospect is truly special when you consider the fact that Foxx’s medical emergency occurred amid production on the movie. When discussing the duo being together again, someone said:

Back in Action centers around two former CIA operatives who must come out of retirement due to their identities being discovered. Joining the two aforementioned stars in the film are Glenn Close, Andrew Scott and Kyle Chandler. Even though it’s certainly been a while since the Bad Teacher star has been in the game, fans seem confident that she’ll slide back in smoothly. One other person welcomed her with a sweet sentiment that I think best sums up this entire development:

Those who are already eager to see more of Ms. Diaz after Back in Action should know that she already has a few other gigs lined up. For starters, she’ll reprise her role as the butt-kicking Princess Fiona in the long-awaited Shrek 5. Also, Diaz is working with Keanu Reeves on a dark comedy film called Outcome. So it would seem that the actress has truly gotten back on the horse, so to speak. But, for now, let’s just continue to be thankful that she’s making her return via this new action flick first.

Netflix subscription holders can check out Back in Action when it debuts on January 17, 2025. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and seek out some of Cameron Diaz’s best movies.

I don’t know which is approaching faster: the beginning of us seeing upcoming 2025 movies in front of our eyes, or the holiday season? It kinda doesn’t matter, as the two things go hand in hand, and Netflix’s first trailer for Back in Action kind of feels like an early present we’re able to open.

Now that the long awaited Jamie Foxx/Cameron Diaz action-comedy has given us a first look at its plot, and all the fun it entails, I think it’s safe to say that this picture looks like it’s worth the wait. To be fair, I have to admit that I may be just a bit biased, as espionage flavored stories are my jam.

So seeing the story of Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) being forced back into the spy game, after presumably retiring to start a family, feels like it’s working in my wheelhouse. Cue the sorts of stunts, explosions, and humor you’d expect from a picture like Back in Action, and you’ve got one of the best reasons Ms. Diaz’s came out of retirement.

One big matter we need to address right out of the gate is the fact that this picture was finished in the wake of Jamie Foxx’s early 2023 hospitalization. The high profile event occurred in the middle of Back in Action’s production, and Foxx’s recovery story has been one of the sweetest comebacks to witness in real time.

Seeing the Academy Award winner kicking ass and cracking wise with Cameron Diaz feels like a reward to everyone who’s followed his career, and it’s nice to see both of these Hollywood A-listers making that title really work. Believe it or not, this weekend was initialy supposed to be the big day for director Seth Gordon’s blockbuster.

That being said, it wasn't surprising to see Back in Action delayed into 2025 by its home studio. As Red One is about to make its box office debut in that old release date of November 15th, it would have put Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz against Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. To be totally truthful, I’d rather see them join forces than compete, because how fun would that movie be?

And if you're not totally sold on the bonkers nature of Back in Action, then please consider the following press still of a duct taped Glenn Close dual wielding pistols:

January is always the beginning of a new year, which see the conflicting forces of fresh optimism and longing for the holiday season past fighting it out in our heads. Which only circles us back around to the notion that having a picture like Back in Action to look forward to in that symbolically dreary month feels like a gift.

Sadly, the tag on this present has us waiting for Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz suit up for espionage, only on Netflix, starting January 17th, 2025. In the meantime, be sure to keep that Netflix subscription active if you want to get in on the action; and don’t forget that the 2024 movie schedule still has some heavy hitters waiting for an audience!

Some actors excel in dramas, others in action flicks; but there are also others whose best work happens to be in some of the best romantic comedies of all time. Nothing against Hugh Grant, Meg Ryan, or Colin Firth’s more dramatic or action-oriented work, but let’s be real for a second and admit that Four Weddings and a Funeral, When Harry Met Sally, and Bridget Jones’s Diary, as well as their other work in the genre, is why they’re so beloved.

That said, here are 32 actors whose best roles are rom-coms…

Hugh Grant

With movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, and Bridget Jones’s Diary to his name (and many, many more), it’s no wonder Hugh Grant’s name comes up rather frequently when discussing the best rom-coms ever made. Sure, his work in Paddington 2 and Remains of the Day is great, but the man knows how to anchor a romantic comedy with that signature charm and wit.

Renée Zellweger

Sure, Renée Zellweger won her two Oscars in dramas – Cold Mountain and Judy – but that doesn’t mean those were her best roles. Again, they were both great, but don’t hold a candle to her work as the titular character in Bridget Jones’s Diary or her star-making performance in Jerry Maguire. More than 20 years after first playing those iconic characters, Zellweger’s work is still received with heaps of praise.

Julia Roberts

One of the queens of the ‘90s rom-com, Julia Roberts bookended the final decade of the 20th century with legendary performances in Pretty Woman and Notting Hill. Those roles, which should be revisited annually if we’re being honest, helped pave the way for Roberts’ stellar career.

Meg Ryan

It’s impossible to put together a list of Meg Ryan’s best movies and not include the likes of When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail, to name a few. The rom-com mainstay, who shared the screen with Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, and Kevin Kline over the years, has given us unforgettable moments and more beloved characters than just about anyone.

Cameron Diaz

My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary, The Holiday, The Sweetest Thing, and countless other romantic comedies made Cameron Diaz one of the biggest stars of the past 30 years. The actress has shown off her more dramatic roles in everything from Any Given Sunday and Being John Malkovich, but her performances in those rom-coms can’t be touched.

Drew Barrymore

Long before Drew Barrymore became one of the premier names in the world of daytime talk shows, she held it down in the rom-com circuit. Fever Pitch, Never Been Kissed, 50 First Dates, and The Wedding Singer are just some of Barrymore’s best romantic comedies. And while she does have a killer scene in the opening minutes of Scream, these are her most memorable performances.

Colin Firth

As much as we love watching Colin Firth play Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, his more modern take on the character in Bridget Jones’s Diary is the stuff of legend. Firth, a tremendous dramatic actor in his own right, has been a staple of the romantic comedy over the years thanks in part to those Bridget Jones movies, Mamma Mia!, and Love Actually. However, don’t let this take away from the greatness of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or The King’s Speech.

Billy Crystal

When Harry Met Sally is one of the first movies to come to mind whenever the topic of hilarious Billy Crystal movies comes up. Filled with some of the funniest lines (and others filled with heartbreak and emotion), Crystal’s work in the rom-com genre is absolutely fantastic, be it movies like America’s Sweethearts or Forget Paris. And The Princess Bride sort of counts, right?

Cary Grant

Few Hollywood leading men have a resume as great as Cary Grant, an actor who appeared in dozens of romantic comedies over the years. Charade, The Philadelphia Story, Holiday, and so many others have long cemented Grant’s place in the annuls of rom-com history, and those hilarious and heartfelt performances are still cherished many years after his death.

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin was the king of the silent film and an actor who could do anything from drama to slapstick to romantic comedy better than just about every single one of his contemporaries. Chaplin’s 1931 rom-com, City Lights, helped define the genre and has been a benchmark for nearly 100 years.

Nia Long

Nia Long has so many great movies to her name, including Friday, Boyz n the Hood, Big Momma’s House, and Soul Food. This also includes some all-time great romantic comedies from the ‘90s like Love Jones, The Best Man, and Hav Plenty. Though her name doesn’t come up as much as it should, Long is still in a league of her own.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton won an Oscar for her titular in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, but the talented actress has several other iconic rom-coms to her name. Something’s Gotta Give, Manhattan, The Family Stone, and Baby Boom all show off the incredible skill and nuance of this once-in-a-generation actress. And this is coming from someone who thinks The Godfather is one of the top five movies of all time.

Audrey Hepburn

Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, and My Fair Lady are all some of the funniest movies of the 20th century, and all happen to feature the unmatched talent of Audrey Hepburn in iconic roles. The late actress had a great number of dramatic roles over the years, but her charm and charisma seen in these rom-coms made her one of the all-time greats.

Constance Wu

Constance Wu has all kinds of great film and TV roles on her resume, but for some, she’ll always be remembered for her portrayal of Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians. The massively popular romantic comedy about a Chinese-American NYU professor learning her boyfriend is a member of the richest and most powerful family in Singapore still hits more than a half-decade after its release.

Richard Gere

Though Richard Gere has killed it in dramas like An Officer and a Gentleman and musicals like Chicago, those performances don’t hold a candle to, at least culturally, to his role as Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman. Gere and co-star Julia Roberts would rekindle that spark less than a decade later with another great rom-com, Runaway Bride.

Reese Witherspoon

The Importance of Being Earnest, Sweeet Home Alabama, and Legally Blonde all allowed Reese Witherspoon to show off comedic skills in romantic comedies, and those roles remain some of her best. Sure, she won an Oscar for Walk the Line, but there’s no touching Elle Woods.

Henry Golding

Henry Golding had already had some success by the time he was cast as the uber-wealthy Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians, but his performance in the 2018 romantic comedy sent him to the next level. He’s found success in movies like The Gentlemen and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare since then, but his rom-com performance is still his best.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes has long killed it in comedies, romance movies, and romantic comedies. Take Hitch for example. The 2005 rom-com starring Will Smith as a professional “date doctor” who meets his match in Mendes’ character was so much fun and allowed the actress to show off all of her skills in a fun and meaningful way.

Sandra Bullock

While You Were Sleeping, Hope Floats, The Proposal, and Two Weeks Notice are just a few of Sandra Bullock’s all-time great romantic comedies. The Academy Award-winning actress has long been one of the best to attempt the genre, and she’ll have a long-lasting legacy because of those strong, vulnerable, and incredibly relatable characters.

Michael Ealy

Over the years, Michael Ealy has put together a crazy good filmography, one that is filled with medical dramas and thrillers, action flicks and comedies, etc. But let’s not forget all the great work he’s done in the world of romantic comedies. Kissing Jessica Stein, Think Like a Man, and About Last Night have all shown what the talented actor is working with.

Adam Sandler

Though not the prototypical romantic lead, there are so many great Adam Sandler rom-coms out there. From The Wedding Singer to Punch-Drunk Love and 50 First Dates to Spanglish there’s so much variety and fun to be had with his stellar filmography.

Jennifer Garner

13 Going on 30, anyone? Jennifer Garner became one of the queens of the rom-com with the release of her 2004 comedy about a young girl who is transformed into a 30-year-old magazine editor and undergoes a massive transformation (both physically and emotionally). She’s also appeared in other great comedies of the era like Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Love, Simon, to name a few.

Woody Allen

Woody Allen’s monologue in the opening minutes of Manhattan is honestly one of the best cinematic moments of the ‘70s and features some of Allen’s best writing. That’s saying something considering the writer-director-actor has been a part of so many great rom-coms over the years. Annie Hall, Midnight in Paris, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and Hannah and her Sisters have made us laugh, cry, and feel everything in between over the past 50-plus years.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway’s name doesn’t come up in the rom-com discussion as much as it should, which is a shame considering the Oscar-winning actress has killed it in movies like The Princess Diaries, Ella Enchanted, Love & Other Drugs, and so many others. Yeah, she was great in Interstellar and Les Misérables, but there’s no denying her performances in these romantic comedies.

Morris Chestnut

Okay, Morris Chestnut was AMAZING in Boyz n the Hood with his portrayal of Ricky Baker, but the man has become a legend in the rom-com game over the past few decades. Two Can Play That Game, The Best Man, The Brothers, The Perfect Holiday, Breakin’ All the Rules are all classics, thanks in no small part to Chestnut’s performances.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams’ career has been full of swirling tales of romance like The Notebook, The Vow, and Disobedience, but some of her best work has been in romantic comedies. Wedding Crashers and Midnight in Paris quickly come to mind, but her best performance can be found in About Time, an incredibly emotional and hilarious story of love, loss, and second chances.

John Cusack

Look at the best John Cusack movies and you’ll see iconic rom-coms like High Fidelity, Say Anything, Serendipity, Better Off Dead, and America’s Sweethearts. The vulnerability and likeability of the Hollywood star have made those movies, and the beloved characters he plays in each of them, such gems over the years.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is amazing when it comes to roles in romantic comedies, and few could come close to her batting average in the early-to-mid 2000s. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, My Best Friend’s Girl, Something Borrowed, and A Little Bit of Heaven all come to mind in this regard.

Taye Diggs

Taye Diggs has done it all, but he’s excelled tremendously in the rom-com world. Movies like The Wood, The Best Man, Brown Sugar, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back have shown just how charming and funny the classically trained actor can be.

Ben Stiller

Though an unlikely leading man in the realm of romantic comedies, Ben Still has long excelled in the genre. Over the years, we’ve had sensational comedies like There’s Something About Mary, Along Came Polly, Keeping the Faith, and even Reality Bites that have allowed the comedian-actor-writer-director to show off what he’s working with, and it’s been great all along.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston will always be remembered for her portrayal of Rachel Green on Friends, but let’s not forget that she has also been a longtime staple of the romantic comedy genre. The Break-up, Wanderlust, Just Go With It, The Switch, Rumor Has It, and several others have been perfect movies for Aniston to show off her skills.

Patrick Dempsey

From Can’t Buy Me Love to Made of Honor and everything in between, Patrick Dempsey has been a tour de force in the world of romantic comedies. He’s done great work on TV and in big-screen dramas over the years, but he particularly excels in the rom-com genre.

Cameron Diaz lit up the big screen starring in some of the best rom-coms of all time and being part of the cast of Shrek as Princess Fiona. Then in March 2018, the actress declared herself “actually retired” from the profession when asked about a Sweetest Thing reunion. Now, a few months before we see her acting comeback in Back in Action, the Charlie’s Angels actress opened up about why she left acting in the first place.

The actress became a household name starring as Jim Carrey’s love interest in The Mask. Then, she dominated the big screen as rom-com royalty with films like My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Holiday, and What Happens in Vegas, to name a few. However, after she starred in box office hits like The Other Woman, Sex Tape, and Annie in 2014, she decided to step away from Hollywood.

Now, ahead of her 2025 movie release of Back in Action, she explained why retirement felt like the right move for her back then at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit:

That’s incredibly admirable of Cameron Diaz to leave the hustle and bustle of Hollywood so she could dedicate herself to her family.

She’s been married to Good Charlotte musician Benji Madden since 2015, and her first child, Raddix, was born in 2019. With the entertainment business being demanding with rehearsals, filming, and traveling, it's understandable why she'd rather devote herself to her loved ones at home.

One of Hollywood’s most bankable stars found plenty of ways to live her best life during this new chapter of her life. For example, she sold lots of wine through her popular brand Avaline. On top of that, she welcomed a new member of the family when she gave birth to her second son Cardinal in March this year.

Cameron Diaz has also placed great emphasis on living a healthy life as told in her health books “The Body Book” and “The Longevity Book.” After all, she’s previously said it's important to her to be present in Raddix’s life when she’s in her forties. As the Vanilla Sky actress looks like she hasn’t aged a day, I believe that dream will become a reality for her.

Just when she felt she didn’t “have what it takes” to star in movies anymore while living comfortably in her retirement, it was announced that she'd be leading the Netflix action-comedy Back in Action alongside Jamie Foxx.

Not only will we see Cameron Diaz “back in action” for her Netflix movie debut, but she’ll be reprising her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek 5 alongside Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Plus, maybe those rumors about a sequel to The Holiday can actually come true now that she is out of retirement.

With Cameron Diaz originally leaving acting to place a focus on her family, coming out of retirement to star in the Netflix movie Back in Action is the perfect way to show that you really can have it all. This powerhouse woman seems to be capable of performing the balancing act of performing in movies, being a good wife, entrepreneur, and mother to her two kids.

So, with that being said, make sure to watch her stellar comeback in Back in Action with a Netflix subscription on January 17, 2025.

Your favorite movie and TV star had to start somewhere and, sometimes, that somewhere is appearing in commercials. There have also been some cases in which an actor has already made it to the top but decided to lend their star power to a TV ad. You can find both kinds in the following collection of TV commercials featuring some huge celebrities.

Ben Affleck (Burger King)

An early blip in Ben Affleck's acting career was a commercial for the popular fast food chain, Burger King. The future live-action Batman actor and Academy Award-winning filmmaker plays a teen who accidentally invents Door Dash when his car phone intercepts a car from a girl who wants to order a whopper.

Cameron Diaz (Coca-Cola)

When Cameron Diaz was still a model primarily, one of her first experiences with acting – before making her feature debut in The Mask – was in a TV ad. The future Shrek movie star shines in an early '90s Coca-Cola commercial that feels a lot more like a perfume ad from the era in its alluring direction.

Paul Rudd (Super Nintendo)

All of Paul Rudd's versatile talents – from making us laugh in movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin to thrilling us as Ant-Man in the Marvel movies – can be traced back to a Super Nintendo commercial he did in the early '90s. He plays a very enthusiastic video gamer who attracts a crowd when he, somehow, hooks up his console to a drive-in theater projector for the ultimate experience of playing The Legend of Zelda and other favorites.

Jennifer Lawrence (My Super Sweet 16)

Jennifer Lawrence got to be the original My Super Sweet 16 girl without appearing on the actual reality TV series that documented wealthy young women's extravagant birthday celebrations. MTV ran dramatized promos for the then-new show starring the future Academy Award winner and Hunger Games movie star as the birthday girl who encounters a few mishaps during her festivities.

Brad Pitt (Pringles)

Years before he starred in Super Bowl Heineken ad helmed by his Fight Club director, David Fincher, the then-up-and-coming Brad Pitt got a taste of commercial acting by starring in a 1988 Pringles spot. He plays one of three surfer dudes who become stranded on the side of a California road when a trio of lovely women approach them for an impromptu Pringles party.

Amy Adams (Commercial Federal Bank)

Mainstream audiences first became aware of Amy Adams' impeccable singing talent in 2007's Enchanted but customers at Commercial Federal Bank were really the first to discover her. In 1997, the multi-Oscar nominee starred as an Olvia Newton-John lookalike in a parody of 1978's Grease for the bank.

Steve Carell (Brown's Chicken)

Steve Carell's channeled his inner Michael Scott long before leading NBC's The Office cast when he was just starting out acting in commercials. In the early 1990s, he played a Brown's Chicken employee whose clumsy mistake while setting up a marquee advertising "cholesterol-free cooking" accidentally convinces customers the food will cost them nothing.

Drew Barrymore (Pillsbury)

It must have been clear to anyone who spotted Drew Barrymore in her early Pillsbury commercial that she was destined to capture our hearts in E.T. the Extra-terrestrial just a few years later. The 1979 ad stars the then-four-year-old as a little girl whose mother cheers her up on a rainy day by making chocolate chip cookies.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Bubble Yum)

Before breaking out with his supporting role in Growing Pains and really hitting big leading the Titanic cast, the up-and-coming Leonardo DiCaprio did a few commercials. One sees the future Oscar winner demonstrate his natural charisma while demonstrating the powerful flavor of Bubble Yum bubble gum.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Alinamin V)

You may never be able to look at Arnold Schwarzenegger the same way again after witnessing the series of gobsmackingly bizarre ads the Terminator star filmed in Japan long after his big break. As the spokesperson for an energy drink called Alinamin V, the future California governor puts on a maniacally large smile and is sometimes seen riding the beverage's bottle into space or popping out of it like a genie.

Mila Kunis (Telephone Tammy)

Had Mila Kunis' Jackie Burkhart been a child of the '90s, Telephone Tammy – a doll who responds to your call with an included play phone – sounds like the kind of toy she would have grown up with. Not to mention the fact that the future That '70s Show cast member appeared in a commercial for Mattel when she was just starting out.

Morgan Freeman (Polaroid)

Future Academy Award winner and voice-over extraordinaire Morgan Freeman starred in a number of TV commercials early on in his career. One such ad was a 1970s spot for Polaroid, not as the man holding the camera that instantly prints out photos but the man telling the amateur photographer to cool it with the reshoots.

Britney Spears (Maull's)

Die-hard fans of pop superstar Britney Spears know that she started out as a child actor who worked with Ryan Gosling on The Mickey Mouse Club, among other rising stars. One of her earlier roles was a young girl who was apparently very excited to eat a home-cooked hamburger in a commercial for Maull's Barbecue Sauce, a local St. Louis brand.

Mark Hamill (Kodak)

Before playing Luke in the Star Wars movies made him familiar with technology from a galaxy far, far away, Mark Hamill represented what must have felt like a futuristic innovation at the time. He starred in a 1975 commercial for a Kodak camera that takes high-resolution photos from far away, allowing him to snap a shot of his girlfriend (and her mother) on a balcony while he stays on the ground.

Anne Hathaway (Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate)

Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway first showed her talent for performing in romantic dramas like One Day and The Idea of You in a 1996 commercial for Better Homes and Gardens. She plays a young woman who believes she and her boyfriend will still have time to spend before his family moves away until they learn the real estate agency has already sold the house.

J.K. Simmons (Farmers Insurance)

From his memorable roles in HBO's Oz and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies, J.K. Simmons was pretty well known by the time he was cast as Professor Nathaniel Burke of the University of Farmers for a long-running Farmers Insurance ad campaign. When he won his Oscar for Whiplash, host Neil Patrick Harris sang an impromptu parody of the company's commercial jingle.

Harrison Ford (Kirin)

Playing Han Solo in Star Wars and the title hero of the Indiana Jones movies made Harrison Ford an international star and one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He would also increase his notoriety in Japan by starring in a series of commercials for a regional brand of lager called Kirin.

Keanu Reeves (Corn Flakes)

Before playing a master of kung fu in The Matrix, a master of gun-fu in the John Wick movies, and a master of excellency in the Bill & Ted movies, Keanu Reeves played a master of sneaking a bowl of cereal for himself. The role of a waiter who enjoys some of the breakfast food he has been hired to serve comes from an '80s-era ad for Kellogg's Corn Flakes.

Betty White (Snickers)

Snickers had a funny ad campaign starring well-known actors as metaphorical representations of the out-of-character behavior of hungry people. One of the earliest, and funniest, stars the legendary Betty White as a dude who needs a bite of the protein-loaded candy bar when his performance in a casual football game is off.

Bruce Willis (Seagram's Coolers)

When he was best known for Moonlighting and before starring in one of the all-time greatest action movies, Die Hard, Bruce Willis had another claim to fame: Seagram's Golden. He served as the adult beverage's spokesperson in a series of ads, some of which utilized his musical talents.

Jeff Goldblum (Apartments.com)

It's a little strange how a performer as widely recognized and beloved as Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum would be hired to star in an ongoing ad campaign as an original character and not just as himself. Nevertheless, the star of Jurassic Park and The Fly is dazzling and dazzling in the Apartments.com commercials as Brad Bellflower.

Sharon Stone (Finesse)

In the 1990s, films like Basic Instinct and her Academy Award-nominated role in director Martin Scorsese's Casino made Sharon Stone one of the most esteemed, and desirable, actors of her time. In the 1980s, her looks helped sell Finesse shampoo as one of the most desirable brands in the hair care market.

Jack Black (Pitfall)

It appears that Jack Black's charismatic, high-energy sense of humor was something he possessed from a young age. Exhibit A: his appearance in a 1982 commercial for Atari's Pitfall, as a wide-eyed child in a safari hat enthusiastically recalling his experience in the jungle-set video game, years before he played a jungle-set video game character in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Burger King)

No one would have believed, in 1983, that an adorable six-year-old girl who became a recurring spokesperson for Burger King would grow up to become one of the fiercest horror Scream Queens in the genre's history. Yet, that would become Sarah Michelle Gellar's destiny after leading the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast as the titular defender against evil.

Tobey Maguire (Tropicana Twister)

In 1991, when he was still a teen, Tobey Maguire did an ad for a blended juice drink from Tropicana called Tropicana Twister. The future Spider-Man actor only briefly appears as a kid who breaks the fourth wall, suggesting that broccoli be added to the next unique flavor combination.

Courteney Cox (Tampax)

Before starring in the Friends cast as Monica Gellar, Courteney Cox was best known in the 1980s for dancing with Bruce Springsteen in the "Dancing in the Dark" video. However, did you catch the future Scream movies star's appearance in a Tampax ad as a gym patron?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Pop-Tarts)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the most acclaimed former child stars who still act, with film and TV credits that back to the late '80s and early '90s like Angels in the Outfield and, of course, 3rd Rock from the Sun. If you go back even earlier than those classics, you can see the future Looper and Inception star in a 1991 ad for Kellogg's Pop-Tarts as a child who child urging his father to have breakfast before he leaves for work and offers him the toaster pastry.

Bryan Cranston (Preparation H)

Four-time Emmy winner and one-time Academy Award nominee Bryan Cranston has worn many faces throughout his career, from a hapless suburban dad in the Malcolm in the Middle cast to a ruthless drug lord as the lead of the Breaking Bad cast. Years before then, he wore the face of a spokesperson for Preparation H in a commercial from the early 1980s.

Willem Dafoe (Mercedes Benz)

With roles like one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, Green Goblin, and others, Willem Dafoe has proven time and time again that he plays an exceptional bad guy. Thus, he was the perfect choice to star in a Super Bowl ad for Mercedes Benz as the Devil, who almost convinces a young man to trade his soul for the car until he learns how affordable it is.

Geena Davis (WMET)

With an eclectic career that includes her Academy Award-winning role in The Accidental Tourist, the horror-comedy movie favorite Beetlejuice, and plenty more, it is clear Geena Davis can be anything. So, we imagine early '80s TV viewers who lived in the region where WMET broadcasted had no trouble accepting her as the voice of the local rock radio station when she starred in its enchanting commercial.

Jeremy Renner (Duracell)

Before he was defending the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the Avengers, Jeremy Renner made a living as a commercial actor. One of his greatest hits was a 90s-era Duracell ad in which he plays a tourist in Mexico whose stereo battery harnesses the power of a herd bulls.

John Travolta (U.S. Army)

Years before he played Santa in a Capital One ad and sent up his role in Grease for T-Mobile, John Travolta starred in an Army recruitment promo in 1973. Just four years later, his Academy Award-nominated lead role in Saturday Night Fever made him one of the biggest stars on the planet.

What has Cameron Diaz been up to? That is a question that many fans of the four-time Golden Globe-nominated actor have had on their minds for about a decade, since that was around the time we last saw her perform on screen.

However, it was announced in 2022 that Cameron Diaz is coming out of retirement to make a new movie for Netflix (one of the best streaming services to subscribe to today) called Back in Action. The wait for Diaz’s return to action is not much further away, so let’s celebrate by taking a look back at her career so far – starting with the days before she could call herself an actor.

Cameron Diaz's Modeling Career (Late 1980s-1994)

Like many female actors from her generation, Cameron Diaz initially got her start working as a model when she was a teenager. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the San Diego, California, native signed with Elite Model Management and began posing in advertisements for Levi’s and Calvin Klein, as well as once starred in a provocative Coca-Cola TV spot from that era. She even made it to the cover of the magazine Seventeen at the eponymous age, too.

However, at this time, there was also a moment when Diaz feared her looks were being used for a different purpose: drug trafficking. In 2020, on the podcast Second Life, she shared with host Hillary Kerr the following story from when she attempted to get work modeling in Paris, but instead became involved in some suspicious activity that got attention from airport officials:

Luckily, it was not much longer before Diaz would no longer have to worry about scrambling for modeling gigs or becoming an international criminal. Her big break was about to come.

Cameron Diaz's Acting Career (1994-2014)

By her modeling agent’s suggestion, a then-21-year-old Diaz auditioned for one of the best Jim Carrey movies, 1994’s The Mask, and made her debut as Stanley Ipkiss’ love interest, Tina Carlyle, after taking acting classes. She quickly blew up in Hollywood, landing leading roles in films like 1995’s The Last Supper, the 1997 romantic comedy movie favorite My Best Friend’s Wedding, and 1998’s There’s Something About Mary in the title role, for which she earned her first Golden Globe nomination.

Her second Globe nod was for an unexpected acting role that she crushed in Being John Malkovich from 1999 – the same year Oliver Stone cast her in Any Given Sunday, and one year before she began her friendship with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu by co-starring in the first of two Charlie’s Angels movies. She gave her third Globe-nominated performance in 2001’s Vanilla Sky, the same year she began her stint voicing Princess Fiona in the Shrek movies with the Best Animated Feature Oscar-winning first installment. She followed that with her fourth Golden Globe-nominated role in the 2002 Martin Scorsese movie Gangs of New York.

After that came more rom-coms (such as 2006’s The Holiday), a reunion with Tom Cruise and return to spy movies with Knight & Day in 2010, which led to 2011’s Bad Teacher, and then getting a fake, terrifying back tattoo for The Counselor from Ridley Scott in 2013. Diaz had a busy year in 2014 with The Other Woman, Sex Tape and a remake of Annie – the last of which would be her most recent acting credit.

Cameron Diaz's Post-Acting Career (2014-2022)

After the world had not seen her act in years, Cameron Diaz confirmed her retirement in 2018 during an interview for Entertainment Weekly alongside her The Sweetest Thing co-stars Christina Applegate and Selma Blair. Years later, she explained to Rachael Ray that she wanted to focus on raising a family with Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden, whom she married in 2015.

However, Diaz did not completely walk away from the spotlight. A year before retiring, she published the best-selling wellness book The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body, which she co-wrote with Sandra Bark. Diaz would collaborate with her again for 2016’s The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time.

Her interest in health would expand to investments in biotch startup companies, such as Seed Health, which is also backed by celebrities like Jessica Biel, as The Standard reports. In 2020, Rolling Stone ran an article detailing how Diaz started her own brand of organic wine called Avaline that year.

Cameron Diaz's Return To Acting (2022-Present)

In 2022, following her appearance as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7, Cameron Diaz’s un-retirement was officially announced. The news came in the form of an audio clip from a call between her and her Annie co-star Jamie Foxx, which the Oscar winner posted on Instagram. This also served as an announcement for their upcoming Netflix movie Back in Action, which is due for a January release on the upcoming 2025 movie schedule, and stars her and Foxx as retired secret agents forced back into the field after their identities are suddenly compromised.

There is already more of Diaz to look forward to, such as a reunion with Keanu Reeves, her Feeling Minnesota co-star, in Apple TV+’s dark comedy, Outcome, which also stars Jonah Hill. An even more exciting upcoming Diaz projet is Shrek 5, which is due in July 2026 and will see her return to voice Fiona alongside Mike Myers as the titular ogre and Eddie Murphy as Donkey.

Also in 2022, rumors of a sequel to The Holiday began swirling nearly two decades after the rom-com was released before writer and director Nancy Meyers debunked the news. However, Diaz’s onscreen love interest, Jude Law, told E! News that he would be interested in coming back for a follow-up, so never say never.

Hopefully this is only the beginning of Cameron Diaz’s return as an actor. I think I speak for many audiences who, after more than a decade since we last saw her, have missed the actor and are extremely excited to see Back in Action especially for her.

Cameron Diaz’s first film in a decade, Back In Action, is among the projects on Netflix's 2024 movie schedule that has fans super excited. However, in recent months, marketing for the action comedy flick, which will have her paired with Jamie Foxx, has seriously slowed down. Reportedly, this is because Netflix is planning on delaying the movie’s release.

Back In Action Has Major Competition During Its Release Day

Back In Action has been in the can since early last year, so what’s the hold-up? According to What’s On Netflix, the movie may be in for a two-month release delay. The film was previously announced as part of the 2024 movie schedule, with a release date of November 15. However, the report suggests that it could be pushed back to January 17, 2025, instead.

While Netflix would not comment on the possible delay when the publication asked, there are a few releases on the calendar already for the streaming service that could suggest the move as well.

For one, the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson live boxing match is now taking place live on that date (after Tyson previously had to delay it from July due to a health emergency), with Netflix streaming the event exclusively. Additionally, the second part of Cobra Kai Season 6 will premiere that day as well. So, folks with Netflix subscriptions will have a lot of new content to watch already.

Therefore, it's understandable why Netflix might be thinking about spreading some of its content out by delaying Back in Action.

Jamie Foxx Has Been Recovering From A Health Scare

Another potential factor to keep in mind is that Jamie Foxx has been on the mend from a health scare that occurred in April 2023. If he is going to promote Back In Action with Cameron Diaz, he’s going to perhaps be ready to give some of the first interviews since the medical complication. Understandably, he might want to wait for the dust to settle on his health before stepping in front of cameras to promote the project.

Jamie Foxx barely spoke about the medical emergency for the first time a month ago, and he recently settled back to work by returning to Beat Shazam in the spring.

Foxx appeared to be his healthy self during the Fox program, so Back To Action’s potential delay probably has nothing to do with this, but there’s certainly no harm in the actor taking it slow if he needs to. Additionally, Foxx has been promoting a new whiskey business, BSB Whiskey, so perhaps his attention lies there at the moment.

The fact of the matter is that sometimes Netflix just decides to switch up their release dates, because things come up and it could perform better if it's delayed. Cameron Diaz has previously said she “had a blast” working with Jamie Foxx on the action movie, so we certainly can’t wait to see it. We’ll keep you posted here on CinemaBlend as updates come in.

There is no denying that it’s summer in New York. The days have been incredibly hot, and there's no better way to spend it than being as close to the water as possible. It seems like celebs are in agreement, as east coasters have been flocking to the Hamptons to enjoy the summer weather. Jennifer Lopez posted photos of herself enjoying the New York vacation spot, and despite controversy, Justin Timberlake has also been spotted out and about in the area. Now, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, and Gwyneth Paltrow are having some girl time in the sun, and are showing that blondes indeed seem to have the most fun.

After retiring from acting, Cameron Diaz has focused her time on her wine brand Avaline, which is becoming more and more popular. This weekend, the Charlie's Angels star celebrated the fourth anniversary of the brand, and invited some friends to join in on a wine-filled afternoon, as well as a candlelight dinner when the sun went down. Two of the most notable attendees were Paltrow and Witherspoon, who both looked adorable in their sundresses alongside Diaz. You can see a photo from the gathering from Diaz’s Instagram below:

I love that these stars are such good friends. They have showcased their bond before on social media, as Witherspoon wished Paltrow a Happy Birthday a few years ago online, and Diaz has joined Paltrow on her Goop podcast where the ladies have gabbed about health, wellness, and their acting careers. I love to see the support extend past online love, and Paltrow and Witherspoon were there to support their friend at such a momentous point in her career.

Also, I can’t help but notice how fun the event looks. Everyone is dressed perfectly in the beautiful Hamptons weather. The party seems to be mostly women, championing another woman’s achievement while sipping delicious wine in the afternoon. The big smiles also can’t be ignored, which brightens up photos and accompanies their chic summer outfits. I can imagine this was probably a sought-after invite, as Diaz mentioned that she kept the gathering to close friends.

Seeing this trio together makes me want to see them all together on the big screen. Diaz is mostly retired, only briefly returning to her craft for the upcoming Netflix film Back In Action. Paltrow is also retired, focusing Goop full time after announcing that Avengers: Endgame would be her final film. However, Reese Witherspoon has a flourishing production company in Hello Sunshine, so if anyone can convince these girls to do another film, it’s Witherspoon. They already have wonderful chemistry off-screen, and it would be so cool to see this translate on the big screen. It may be out of the question now, as Avaline is clearly thriving, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

When these ladies aren’t celebrating the wine brand in the Hamptons, they are taking on other badass ventures. You can see Cameron Diaz alongside Jamie Foxx in Back In Action, which will be available for Netflix subscribers on November 15th 2024. You can also check out Reese Witherspoon in the most recent season of The Morning Show, which is streaming now with an AppleTV+ subscription. In addition, Gwyneth Paltrow is still a leading name in the wellness industry, and you can check out her latest developments on Goop.com.

Accents are incredibly difficult and to be clear, this isn't knocking any of the people on this list's acting talents. Some of the best actors in the world often struggle with accents. In fact, everyone on this list should be praised for taking the risk and even attempting one. That said, this is still a list of actors with bad accents in a role. 

Dick Van Dyke – Mary Poppins

Quite possibly the most notorious of an actor messing up an accent is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. The Midwest native's take on a London Cockney accent is... rough. The rest of his performance is legendary, of course, but boy, it's rough to hear him talk sometimes. 

Keanu Reeves – Bram Stoker's Dracula

Keanu Reeves is an icon, but let's be real, some of his acting performances in the past haven't been the best. The most glaring example is his performance in Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's a stilled example of an English accent that comes across as really unconfident. He's much better in the John Wick movies, to say the least. 

Don Cheadle – Ocean's Eleven

Don Cheadle is one of the best actors in Hollywood and is proof that even the best get it wrong sometimes. His cockney accent in Ocean's Eleven is brutal. In a way, it can be excused, as everyone in the movie is just chewing the scenery the whole time, but still, you expect more. Especially because we've all seen him do amazing accents like in Hotel Rwanda, a movie so good you never want to see it again. 

Daniel Craig - Knives Out

This one might get some pushback from fans – and I am a huge fan of Daniel Craig and Knives Out – but the accent is distracting. Cajun accents are tough, so for even attempting it, Craig gets credit, but he's been much better at other accents, like his straight southern accent in Lucky Logan. 

Kevin Costner – Thirteen Days

Thirteen Days is one of the best movies about the Cold War we've ever seen, but Kevin Costner's Boston accent isn't what makes it great. Costner's performance outshines the accent, but it's still pretty distracting, as it's way off. Boston accents are hard to do, so we'll forgive him. 

Tom Cruise – Far And Away

Another one of the most notorious accents in Hollywood history is Tom Cruise's attempt at an Irish accent in Far And Away. The movie itself is a lot better than its reputation would have you believe, but Cruise, one of the biggest movie stars of the last few decades, has a rough go of it. He's not alone in that, either. 

John Malkovich – Rounders

John Malkovich's career is filled with amazing, and often over-the-top performances. Maybe his most over-the-top is that of the Russian "KGB" in Rounders. His accent is presumably supposed to be Russian, but wow, who knows what it really is? It's wild, that's for sure. He even joked to co-star Matt Damon that he is a "terrible actor," which, of course, is false, even here. 

Brad Pitt – Meet Joe Black

This one is on the list because it's a popular choice as one of the worst ever, but I'm here to defend it...sort of. His Cajun patois is not great, that's true, but, for one, that's a really hard accent to nail, and some have defended it. It also could be argued that it fits his character to not quite understand how to speak normally, as he talks about in other parts of the film. Pitt gets a pass here. 

Mickey Rooney – Breakfast At Tiffany's

In one of the most indefensible roles in the history of Hollywood, Mickey Rooney's bad accent is actually the least offensive part. You can argue about 1961 being a different time, but it wasn't that different, and having Rooney play an offensive caricature of a Japanese man was called out even at the time for how offensive it was. 

Julia Roberts – Michael Collins

The beloved Julia Roberts has been in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. Michael Collins isn't a bad movie, but it's also not among Roberts' best films. While she can usually be counted on for great performances, her Irish accent here misses the mark. 

Anne Hathaway – One Day

Anne Hathaway is an Oscar winner for good reason. She's consistently great in her movies, and in roles that range from rom-coms to comic supervillains. In One Day, she adopts a British accent...sort of. It's not bad when she nails it, but it's wildly inconsistent. 

Brad Pitt - Seven Years in Tibet

Seven Years In Tibet is an underrated movie in my opinion. In all honesty, I don't know if Brad Pitt's accent is truly bad, or if it's just really annoying. I tend to think it's a combo of both. Her performance otherwise is great, and the movie's visuals are stunning, making it well worth suffering through the iffy accent. 

Jack Nicholson – The Departed

This is one that might get some pushback, but I think Jack Nicholson's Boston accent in The Departed is terrible. Given all the great accents in the movie, some by Boston natives, some not, this one really sticks out as not being all that great. Nicholson is awesome as the menacing Frank Costello, but he should have just played it straight. 

Angelina Jolie – Alexander

Okay, what in the ancient world is going on here? Angelina Jolie's accent in Alexander is just wild. It's sort of Greek, sure, but we're not even sure what the ancient Greeks sounded like, so why even go here with this acting choice? Jolie is a wonderful actor and director, but this is not her finest moment. 

Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

Emma Watson's biggest accent sin in The Bling Ring is how inconsistent it is. Maybe the hardest part for an actor is staying consistent, but this one still needs to be highlighted here. A Valley Girl, Watson is not. 

Ewan McGregor – Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down has an amazing cast, many of whom are not American, all playing American servicemen. To be honest, all the accents in the movie, from Orlando Bloom, Tom Hardy, and others are a little dicey. It probably isn't fair to only call out Ewan McGregor, but it's not his finest work, either. 

Kevin Costner – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

What can be said here? It's the bad accent that beats them all. Kevin Costner's accent (or sometimes lack of) in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has been knocked ad nauseam over the years and there isn't much more to say about it. It's not just poor, it's not even there sometimes. 

Cameron Diaz – Gangs Of New York

Let's be clear, Cameron Diaz is not alone with her poor accent in Gangs of New York. Leonardo DiCaprio isn't at his best, either. It's maybe a little more striking in Diaz's case though. It's hard though, when you are going up with Daniel Day-Lewis, who probably spent months and months perfecting his American accent for the role.  

Blake Lively – The Town

If you're not from Boston, it had be a deceptively difficult accent to master. It's not as simple as dropping the Rs, though that is hard to do consistently also. It's also the long vowels and other more nuanced parts of the accent that make it very tricky. Blake Lively is great in The Town, but her accent leaves a lot to be desired. 

Vanessa Hudgens – The Princess Switch

In one of the weirder choices on this list, Vanessa Hudgens decided to go with what is ostensively a British accent in The Princess Switch when she easily could have just gone with her regular accent. Sure, she needed to differentiate herself from...herself as she was also playing the other role in the movie in this Parent Trap-like movie, but still, she was a princess of a fictional country, the accent could have been anything 

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon

Scarlett Johansson is from New York, and is an excellent actor. That's why it's such a surprise that she missed with a New Jersey accent in Don Jon. Once again, it's an example of a great performance losing a point or two because of the dodgy accent.

Jared Leto – House Of Gucci

Most of the actors in House Of Gucci struggle a little with the Italian accents. Jared Leto, however, sounds like a cartoon character. It's more like Mario than Paolo Gucci. I give him props for trying, heck I give them all props for trying, but it just doesn't work. 

Mel Gibson – Braveheart

I have a lot of problems with Braveheart. The history is notoriously poor, and the acting by Mel Gibson is so over the top, that it's comical, hence all the memes, right? Often lost in that is how sketchy Gibson's Scottish accent is in the movie. 

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino is arguably the best director of the last 30 years with nine (or ten, depending on how you count Kill Bill) great movies out of nine directed. Django Unchained is no exception, but you can't excuse the Australian accent Tarantino tries to pull off in his acting role in the movie. It's not good - and it's not like he's a bad actor, either. 

Harrison Ford - K-19: The Widowmaker

With all due respect to the Gods of the 1970s and '80s, I don't want to besmirch the great Harrison Ford. Sadly, I have to for his messy attempt at a Russian accent in K-19: The Widowmaker. We all love Ford's gruff voice, but it's better when he sticks with his natural accent. 

Nicole Kidman – Far And Away

Tom Cruise gets a lot of gruff for his Irish accent in Far and Away, but that shouldn't distract from Nicole Kidman's sketchy work. The Aussie struggles as much as the American in the film. 

Alan Rickman - The Butler

Alan Rickman, who is one of my favorite actors ever and responsible for some amazing performances, has one of his most uneven in The Butler as President Ronald Reagan. It's not just the accent, though that is part of it. He speaks weirdly softly and it feels like a shallow performance, which was unlike Rickman, most of the time.  

Michael Caine - On Deadly Ground

The great Michael Caine has but one accent – the Michael Caine Accent. It's so iconic, that it's as imitated as Christopher Walken's. When he gets away from it, it gets a little bizarre, as it does in On Deadly Ground. Now, the semi-retired Caine is co-starring in a Steven Seagal movie, so you can't blame him for really going over the top, even if he misses. 

Brad Pitt – The Devil's Own

In The Devil's Own, Brad Pitt makes a go at an Irish accent. I'll always applaud Pitt for going for tougher roles, but he really does struggle with accents, and here is no exception. It is distracting, but I appreciate that he goes for it. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Red Sparrow

As the winner of one Oscar and owner of three more nominations, Jennifer Lawrence is clearly one of the best actresses so far in the 21st Century. Red Sparrow is not her best work though. The movie is surprisingly boring, and her Russian accent, while far from the worst here, is in and out throughout the whole film. 

Ana De Armas – Blonde

Make no mistake, Ana De Armas made a bold decision to play not only an American actress but one whose voice is very familiar to movie fans everywhere, Marilyn Monroe. Blonde was a challenging choice for the Cuban actress and for that she should be celebrated, but when the brass tacks were down, her accent was not the best part of her performance. 

Charlie Hunnam – Green Street Hooligans

If you want to understand how hard accents can be, look no further than Englishman Charlie Hunnam's attempt at a cockney accent in Green Street Hooligans. While Hunnam is English, he's from Newcastle, not East London, and boy does it show. Hunnam was decent doing an American accent in Sons of Anarchy, but he doesn't kill the cockney accent here, in fact, he's so inconsistent it's distracting in an otherwise super fun cult classic. 

Carrie Preston has been entertaining fans on what critics are calling her “delightful” The Good Wife spinoff Elsbeth on CBS, but more than a quarter-century ago, the actress was just getting her start in acting on the beloved 1997 film My Best Friend’s Wedding. Preston played one of Kimberly’s cousins, and that means she got to take part in one of the most iconic awkward dinner scenes in movie history — the “I Say a Little Prayer” sing-along. Turns out shooting that scene might not have been as fun as it looked, as the actress explained why things were pretty gross by the second day of filming.

Alongside Rachel Griffiths, Carrie Preson played one of the self-proclaimed “vengeful sluts,” cousins to Cameron Diaz’s character. During the scene in question, the entire wedding party is at brunch while George (Rupert Everett) regales them with a made-up story of how he met Julianne (Julie Roberts). After building to a dramatic climax, George breaks into song, ultimately leading the entire restaurant in a spirited sing-along of Dionne Warwick’s “I Say a Little Prayer.” Preston opened up about that scene and shared the most unappetizing detail during a segment of The Jess Cagle Show. She recalled: 

As many times as I’ve re-watched My Best Friend’s Wedding, I’ve never for a second considered that they spent that much time on set with real shellfish. Honestly, to spend over 24 hours on that song sounds like a pretty big ask to begin with, but I’d also have to hope that any crab or lobster that wasn’t being actually eaten by the Wallace family was not real. Maybe the smell helped Julia Roberts and Dermot Mulroney keep such disgusted expressions on their faces the whole time.

Despite that part of the experience, it didn’t sound like Carrie Preston had one ounce of regret about getting such a fun part in one of the best rom-coms of all time. She even spilled a little tea about the scene in question, saying: 

P.J. Hogan must have known he had gold on his hands if he added that scene to the movie himself and then took two days to shoot it — lobsters and all. I’m glad he did, since it has become such a well-known scene, and my sympathies go out to all involved for their sacrifice. How long do you think it was before any of them ate shellfish again?

You can stream My Best Friend’s Wedding with a Starz subscription through Apple TV+, or catch Carrie Preston on Elsbeth at 10 p.m. Thursdays on CBS or streaming with a Paramount+ subscription. 

Congratulations to Cameron Diaz, Benji Madden, and the newest member of their little family! On Friday, the couple announced the birth of their second child via Instagram, and there’s no doubt that they’re probably feeling the love today. Less than 24 hours later, over 1,300 comments have poured in from fans and stars alike, congratulating the parents. And, all the support from some of the music industry’s biggest icons, including Katy Perry and Pete Wentz, is especially cute to see.

Both stars shared on Instagram a photo of what seems like doodles and a part of a portrait with the words, “A little bird whispered to me.” While it seems cryptic, it all makes sense once you read the caption, where they revealed that their son’s name is Cardinal. They also mentioned that they won’t be sharing pictures of their kids to protect their privacy. Here’s the full post:

One of the best parts about how the couple shared this news has been seeing how a number of their famous musical friends have reached out to share their excitement about the baby reveal. Lionel Richie and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz are just two of the legends on the comments list that showed their love. And, one of the most noticeable commenters of course was from Madden’s twin brother and the other half of the pop rock band, Good Charlotte, Joel Madden. The comments included:

• Pete Wentz: ✨✨✨
• Katy Perry: Another earth angel. ♥️
• Joel Madden: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
• Lionel Richie: 🤎
• Sam Carter: ❤❤❤
• Deryck Whibley: ❤❤❤

Cardinal is the couple’s second child together. In 2019, the Bad Teacher actress gave birth to their first daughter, Raddix. While they’ve worked to keep their daughter out of the spotlight (which will most likely happen with Cardinal too), Diaz has been vocal about how much she’s enjoying being a mother, and she has even divulged everyday life details, like Raddix’s interesting diet. She’s also mentioned how surprised she is with how fast kids grow and change, and that she’s relishing every moment – something most parents can likely relate to.

For the most part, Cameron Diaz hasn't been seen on-screen since having kids. In 2018, after some back-and-forth reports, she confessed that she retired from acting, which confirmed people’s suspicions after she hadn’t been seen on screen for quite a few years since appearing in The Other Woman and other movies. 

However, recently, while enjoying mom life, she’s made a few television appearances on The Drew Barrymore Show and RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. She’ll also be starring in an upcoming Netflix project that’s part of the 2024 movie schedule called Back in Action, and she'll be in another film called Outcome, alongside Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, and Matt Bomer.

Even though Good Charlotte’s latest song was dropped in 2020 and their last album was released in 2018, Diaz’s husband, Benji, seems to also be ramping up his schedule while being on dad duty. There have been talks about an upcoming tour for the band, but nothing is confirmed yet. Most recently, they performed at the When We Were Young festival in Las Vegas, and even surprised the crowd by bringing out Lil Wayne. 

The couple seems to have some great stuff going on in the near future, and it’ll be exciting to see what is next in their journey. For now, they’ll probably just be laying low for a bit and enjoying time with their new baby, which we support 100%.

Anyone who has seen Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation must wonder for at least a second if there is truth in Bill Murray’s character of a famous American actor in Japan to film a commercial. Well, there definitely is. Huge American and European stars have been hawking products in Japanese commercials for decades. 

Some of the biggest names in Hollywood, some of whom you’d never expect to be selling cars and shampoo in the States, are happy to do it in Japan. While there was a time those stars may have been labeled as “sell-outs” in the U.S. for doing commercials, it was very lucrative to appear in ads in Japan, without the baggage. Here are just a few of the celebrities who have made those Japanese ads. 

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is known in the U.S. for her Miss Dior perfume commercials, but in Japan, she’s better known for selling Lux shampoo. The commercial we found is a pretty standard shampoo commercial, very similar to one you’d see in the States with long, flowing locks being flung to and fro. 

Jodie Foster

Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster is one of those actors you’d least expect to see in a commercial, but in the ‘90s, Foster starred in a campaign for Honda Civics. The commercials are pretty bland, with lots of shots of a smiling Foster standing near the Hondas she was selling. 

George Clooney

He may be one of the biggest movie stars of all time, but George Clooney isn’t above slinging coffee in Europe or doing extensive voice-over work on American commercials. In Japan, he’s the face of Kirin Beer in at least a couple of commercials, co-starring with some CGI songbirds. 

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves has developed a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. It makes sense that a product would be interested in having him as a spokesman. In the United States, he occasionally does a commercial or two, most notably for Squarespace. In Japan, he’s also popular. Like a lot of Western celebs, he’s been hired by the whiskey maker Suntory to do commercials. As always, he looks cool doing it. 

Madonna

At the height of Madonna’s fame in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it would’ve been very rare to see her endorse a product on TV in the United States, but in Japan, she was part of a big campaign for Takara, a whiskey made by Blanton’s for the Japanese market. The commercials don’t look like they took up much of the Material Girl’s time, however, as they are just cuts from her music videos spliced with buzzwords and shots of the bourbon. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Lately, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been showing up in more and more commercials. At the 2024 Super Bowl, he was in a State Farm ad, for example. It seems the former Governator likes the idea of picking up a nice paycheck for a minimal amount of work, and who can blame him? It’s something he’s been doing in Japan for decades, going back to the pinnacle of his fame in the ‘90s when he endorsed an energy drink called Alinamin V. These might be the strangest of all the commercials too, featuring Schwarzenegger’s giant head popping out the bottle and other over-the-top images. 

Miles Davis

No one defines “cool” quite like Miles Davis did. The late jazz legend had a reputation for being prickly, but fans still wanted to be him. His sound on trumpet was unique, as was his style, and it all oozes authenticity. Endorsing products in the U.S. might have branded him a “sell-out” to his fans, but in the ‘80s, he could go to Japan, where he was also a big star, and shoot commercials for Honda Scooters, and no one would be the wiser in North America. 

Britney Spears

Britney Spears might be the least surprising person on this list. At the height of her fame in the late ‘90s, she’s exactly the kind of celebrity that would be huge in Japan. Spears took advantage of that fame, starring in a series of commercials for Go Go Tea. The pop star also appeared in an ad for Mikakuto Gummy Candies as well. 

Harrison Ford

Back in 1996, Entertainment Weekly reported that Hollywood stars could make anywhere from $500K to $2 million for a couple of days’ work on a Japanese commercial. It explains why actors like Harrison Ford, who no one would have expected to see in an ad in the ‘90s in America, would spend a few days in Japan shooting commercials for Kirin beer. We don’t know how much he made, but it’s safe to assume the Star Wars star made enough to pay Jabba back and then some. 

Cameron Diaz

SoftBank is one of the largest holding companies in Japan and it loves to bring over American stars to promote its services. One such star was Cameron Diaz, who in the mid-’00s starred in commercials and print ads all over Tokyo for the cell phone giant. No doubt such a campaign made it possible for the actress to semi-retire in 2014. 

Brad Pitt

Coffee, specifically canned coffee, seems to be one of the more lucrative areas of advertising for Western stars in Japan. None other than Brad Pitt even showed up in one in the ‘90s. Pitt stars as an office worker getting more work done after drinking a can of Roots Coffee. 

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis is big in Japan. He’s been spotted selling everything from cars to financial services. Daihatsu and SoftBank have both hired the Die Hard legend to hawk their wares. He even learned a phrase or two in Japanese for the spots. 

Sharon Stone

Just as in America and Europe, Japanese beauty brands love to hire a famous actress to taut their product’s ability to make everyone as beautiful as they are. Sharon Stone was a major spokeswoman for Vernal soaps, for example. Stone also appeared in commercials for jewelry and other luxury wares. 

Ben Stiller

When you watch the Kirin ad Ben Stiller did back in the late ‘90s, it makes you wonder if it was the main inspiration for Zoolander. It feels like an outtake from the movie about a male model, it’s so goofy. Don’t get it wrong, it’s supposed to be over-the-top and funny, so it fits the character of Derek Zoolander perfectly, even if Stiller wasn’t actually playing the role. It’s also better than Zoolander 2.

Francis Ford Coppola

Of course, the most famous example in the West of a star doing Japanese commercials is the fictional Bob Harris (Bill Murray) doing Suntory ads in Lost In Translation. The inspiration for the film, or part of it, had to be Sofia Coppola’s father, Francis Ford Coppola doing ads in Japan in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Including one for Fuji Cassettes, and yes, Suntory whiskey. 

Sylvester Stallone

Rocky star Sylvester Stallone got on the Japanese advertising train back in the mid-’90s, including doing some very strange commercials for Bayern Sausages. An Italian-American doing ads for German sausages in Japan. It’s the UN of commercials! 

Brooke Shields

Back in the ‘80s, Brooke Shields was huge. For much of the decade, she found a lot of work in Japan in ads for everything from tissues to coffee to stereos. No doubt that helped her pay for her Princeton education, where she studied during a break from her career in the mid-’80s. 

Richard Gere

In 2009, Japanese company Suntory bought Orangina, the sparking orange beverage from France. Almost immediately, Suntory did what they had done so often in the past, they hired an American actor for an ad campaign. Richard Gere starred in a few commercials for the brand at the dawn of the 2010s, playing a classic Japanese comedy character from the ‘60s and ‘70s named Tora-san.  

Audrey Hepburn

By the early 1970s, Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn had already semi-retired from acting, starring only sporadically in a few movies in the ‘70s before bowing out completely. Still, she did work in Japan occasionally in commercials, including one for wigs from 1970, which seems pretty odd, but hey, it’s Audrey Hepburn, so who are we to question it?

Leonardo DiCaprio

Even the great Leonardo DiCaprio has gotten in on the Japanese ad business, hawking credit cards in the ‘90s and Jim Beam more recently. You might expect the latter, but definitely not the former, in the United States. 

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway is another glamorous actress who has been known to pop up in luxury and beauty ads in Japan. One product, Lux Shampoo, is well known for using American stars in its ads for its products. The rom-com star pitched for the company a few times in the mid-’00s. 

Sammy Davis, Jr.

Suntory Whiskey definitely takes the win for grabbing some of the biggest stars from the U.S. to sell its products. Even way back in the ‘70s, it was paying Sammy Davis, Jr. to do commercials for them. They even got him to scat for one of them, and it’s a gem. 

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones has been a regular in Japanese commercials for a long time, and watching some of the more bizarre ones, he’s clearly having a lot of fun. It definitely references his role in the Men in Black series, but beyond that, it’s hard to pin what they are about, exactly, except that he’s selling coffee. 

Nicolas Cage

It’s no surprise to find Nicolas Cage on this list, now is it? Going back a couple of decades, the actor did a series of commercials for Pachinko games, which are Japanese slot machines and pinball machines.

Kyle MacLachlan

In what might be the absolute best and most bizarre entry on this list, Kyle MacLachlan starred in a whole series of commercials for Georgia Coffee as Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks. The commercials played out like a bizarre mystery, just like the show, and also featured other characters from the show, and the famous intro. It’s truly awesome… and weird… and awesome.

Sean Connery

If you want someone elegant and cool to advertise your whiskey, why not hire James Bond himself, Sean Connery? That’s exactly what Suntory did in the early ‘90s and he’s everything you want him to be in the ad. 

Hugh Jackman

When you have the talents of a true song-and-dance man like Hugh Jackman, it’s smart to take advantage of that. It’s what Lipton Ice Tea did in 2010 to amazing results with the Deadpool & Wolverine star dancing around a Japanese hotel. 

Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford was the most famous model in the world in the ‘80s and ‘90s, so it’s no surprise she’d been seen on Japanese TV selling lots of stuff, as she was virtually everywhere else in the world. For example, in Japan, she hawked a sports drink called Pocari Sweat. Sweat seems like an odd thing to name your drink, but Crawford could sell anything in those days. 

John Travolta

Canned drinks are huge in Japan and the competition for customers is intense, which has led to a lot of American stars getting lucrative gigs. John Travolta is one such star, who was hired to appear in an ad for Tokyo Drink. Naturally, he danced his way through it. 

Hulk Hogan

Professional wrestling has long been hugely popular in Japan. American wrestling stars like Hulk Hogan have been traveling to Japan to work for decades. With that fame, came commercials for the Hulkster, like one in the early ‘90s hawking Hitachi Air Conditioners. 

Quentin Tarantino

It’s not always just actors either. Quentin Tarantino, whose Kill Bill movies are a tribute to Japanese culture, popped up in an ad for SoftBank’s cell phone service. The director looks like he had a blast making the spots, too. 

Kiefer Sutherland

When 24 debuted, it instantly became one of the biggest hits on TV, and that success translated to Japanese TV as well. So much so, that Kiefer Sutherland was hired by the energy drink Calorie Mate to star in a series of commercials in the style of the spy show. 

There was a time when “selling out” was a real concern for artists and their fans. It’s far more common today to see big stars in commercials. Before it became okay to be seen selling stuff on TV, those big names could head to Japan for a nice paycheck, without retribution from hardcore fans. Until the internet, it was rare for an American or European to even know the stars had done it. Now with the internet, we get to see all these great commercials they were doing. 

If you look back at Jack Black’s movies, you’ll immediately notice that he’s worked with an incredibly long list of wildly talented actors. From Ben Stiller to John Cusack to Dwayne Johnson and Karen Gillan, the comedic actor has worked with so many A-listers. Now, he’s revealed his favorite co-star is Kate Winslet, and as a The Holiday fan, this choice makes me so happy. It made fans happy too, because when Black’s comments went viral on TikTok, fans made their agreement known through some A+ comments. 

While promoting his film on the 2024 movie schedule, Kung Fu Panda 4, Jack Black told ET who his favorite co-star is. Sitting next to his Kung Fu Panda co-star Awkwafina, the actor dived into why he adores working with Kate Winslet, saying this about her and their movie that’s considered not only one of the best Christmas movies but one of the best rom-coms of all time:

In the video, Jack Black told Awkwafina why Kate Winslet was his favorite co-star, and it was so sweet. He explained:

As someone who adores The Holiday, these words from Black about his co-star make me love the movie more. Iris and Miles' relationship is so wholesome in the rom-com as they help pay homage to Arthur’s legacy. Their scene in the Blockbuster where Miles teaches Iris about iconic scores lives rent-free in my mind, and their chemistry throughout the flick is undeniable and so so charming. 

Of course, when fans learned about Jack Black’s favorite co-star, they showered him and Winslet in love as they commented:

• I immediately thought “KATE WINSLET” -alyssa&herbooks 
• “jude law” “nooo. kate winslet 🥰” he’s so real for that -sara 
• I knew immediately he would pick her 🥰 -Jek 
• I legit knew he was gonna pick her from that movie. They vibed. -Darrah 
• I had no doubt that was gonna be his answer -mitchches2121 
• I knew he was to choose her 🥺😭 -NicoMyrna 

The love for Winslet was palpable, as proved by the TikTok's over 1.6 million views, and others got a kick out of Black turning down Awkwafina’s Jude Law suggestion. Though, it’s worth noting that Jack Black and Jude Law only share one scene in The Holiday and it’s the final one when all four meet at the very end. So, it totally tracks that he didn’t pick the actor, and he went with his primary scene partner in the delightful rom-com.

It’s kind of wild to think that Jimmy Fallon and Robert Downey Jr. could have been in The Holiday instead of Jack Black and Jude Law. Ultimately, it truly did work out for the best, because Jack Black and Kate Winslet and Jude Law and Cameron Diaz are perfect together, and their adoration for each other is clear. 

While there were rumors about The Holiday 2, Nancy Meyers denied them, and we likely won’t get one. However, thinking about Jack Black’s sequel idea and the fact that he truly loved working with Winslet, I feel like we could see them together again in the near future. 

At the moment, Jack Black and his favorite co-star Kate Winslet aren’t set to work together. So, while we wait for that to happen, you can also stream Winslet's well-reviewed The Regime with a Max subscription, and you can check out Black’s moderately reviewed Kung Fu Panda 4 in theaters now. 

Only a couple of years after Cameron Diaz voiced the idea that she might not have what it takes to devote her energy to making movies again, she came out of acting retirement to join Jamie Foxx in Netflix’s action-comedy Back in Action. Now, it looks she’s putting to rest questions about re-retiring, as Diaz is reportedly set for another new high-profile movie, and this one would reunite her with A+ former co-star Keanu Reeves. Excellent! [Air-guitars whatever the Feeling Minnesota's main theme is.)

All the finalized details are still being worked out, but Cameron Diaz is set to co-lead the dark comedy Outcome, which will be the next directorial effort from Jonah Hill, according to Deadline. Hill also co-wrote the screenplay with Ezra Woods. The movie is being developed through Apple Studios, meaning it will likely be exclusive to those with Apple TV+ subscriptions after a likely theatrical run, a concept that didn’t even exist at the time when she retired post-Annie in 2014.

In Outcome, Reeves (who is still in final negotiations himself) will portray a disgraced Hollywood star at the center of an extortion plot involving some mysterious video footage. The actor must face off against the demons of his past in order to move forward and find redemption. And it’s another Reeves character rocking a top-notch name, as he’ll be dubbed “Reef.” I can only hope his last name is “Calypso” or “Doffer-Duggan” or something equally unique. 

At this point, no info was revealed about what Diaz’s role would be, but one can only assume it’s something awesome for it to become the second movie of her acting comeback. Maybe working with Hill on this project will eventually land her a role opposite the actor-filmmaker in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Grateful Dead biopic. She did co-star in Gangs of New York, after all.

But before any of that might happen, let’s celebrate Cameron Diaz potentially sharing the screen again with Keanu Reeves. They initially played love interests under duress in 1996’s Feeling Minnesota from writer-director Steven Baigelman. In that flick, Reeves (whose name there was Jjacks, with two Js) and Vincent D’Onofrio played ne’er-do-well brothers both pining for and lusting after Diaz’s character. 

Admittedly, Feeling Minnesota didn’t exactly move a lot of dials at the time of its release, and is something of a footnote for both at that point in their respective careers, with 1994’s Speed and The Mask launching each to superstardom. I can only imagine Outcome will be a better project in comparison, given where both Diaz and Reeves are now, both as actors and as people. I.E. They’re both awesome and adorable, and I want them in all the things. So don’t bork this, Jonah Hill.

For all that Cameron Diaz stepped away from the world of scripted acting, she certainly hasn't stopped entertaining fans over the years. She's continued her work as a bestselling author, with 2016's aging-focused The Longevity Book, and her health-related interests also resulted in investments in startups and other businesses, such as her own organic wine brand Avaline, which she co-founded with Katherine Power.

Diaz has popped up more often on the small screen in recent years as well, from talk show spots on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Hart to Heart and The Kelly Clarkson Show to her guest-judge appearance in RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 7 to popping up in the mini-documentary Nicki Minaj: Queen of Rap.

Outcome likely won’t make it through the production process in time to hit the 2024 movie schedule, but hopefully everything comes together quickly enough. And then if that long-awaited sequel to The Holiday were to come together, it would be cause for more air guitar.

For lack of a better phrase, Jamie Foxx is back in action, and he’s returned to working on his project on the 2024 movie schedule, Back in Action. However, before he was able to return to set with Cameron Diaz, the film tried to shoot his parts with a stunt double first. Ultimately, they ended up needing to wait for the Oscar winner to come back to fully finish production. 

So, while the Back in Action cast and crew wrap up this highly anticipated new Netflix film, here’s the story behind how the project tried to keep working, and why they ended up waiting to film Foxx’s parts until he was healthy enough to come back. 

They Tried To Get Back To Work With A Stunt Double Instead Of Jamie Foxx

After Jamie Foxx was hospitalized for a “medical complication” back in April, it was reported that his projects Back in Action and Beat Shazam would continue filming without him. While Nick Cannon and Kelly Osbourne took over Beat Shazam, on Foxx’s action film they tried to have his stunt double stand in for him. 

According to a new report from People, this plan to have the actor’s double stand in his place reportedly didn’t work, as they said:

So, it sounds like they ended up having to wait until Foxx was healed to finish up his principal photography. Now they’re able to do that, because in late January the Ray actor returned to work with Cameron Diaz after his health scare. Reportedly, now that they’re literally back in action, things are going well and they’re working toward wrapping up the film. 

Now, Jamie Foxx Is Literally Back In Action And Working On The Film With Cameron Diaz  

While Foxx’s health scare was reportedly very serious, and he said he “wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy” in his first public appearance, now, he’s doing quite well. Not only is Jamie Foxx back at work, he’s apparently feeling great, as a source told the magazine:

They went on to say that “he is doing so well,” and that he was ready to start filming again. Noting that the Baby Driver star was “eager” to get back on set, the source said:

They ended their statement noting that Foxx loves acting, and he will complete his work:

As the source stated, filming is expected to wrap up in February. They’ve been shooting this project since December of 2022, however, between the Actor’s Strike and Foxx’s health scare, they faced some uncontrollable and serious challenges. 

Luckily, Foxx and the crew are back up and running, and hopefully, we’ll see Back and Action sometime during 2024. Netflix did include it in the year’s preview of content (which you can see above), so while there is no specific release date, you can expect it this year. 

It’s great to hear that Jamie Foxx is doing well, and he’s back at work with Cameron Diaz. Now, it’s just a matter of time before we get to use our Netflix subscriptions see him Back in Action.

There may not be another movie on the 2024 movie schedule with as meta of a title as Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz's forthcoming action comedy, Back in Action. It's the first movie Diaz has starred in since retiring in 2014, and it now marks the first time the Ray actor has been back to work since suffering an on-set “medical complication.” Said situation led to their movie’s production being shut down last April. Now, the two talented actors are back on set, ready to bring their dynamic chemistry to the screen in what promises to be an exhilarating cinematic experience.

How Do We Know The Two Stars Are Back On Set?

The details of Jamie Foxx's recent health issues were kept private, leading to speculation and conspiracy theories online. Now, we have prooff that the star has returned to work on his upcoming Netflix release alongside his co-star. Recent photos published by Page Six show the actors in good spirits, walking together outside.

There has been a lot of chatter about the Django Unchained star's health. However, in December, he appeared in public for the first time since facing health challenges, doing so at the Critics Choice Association's Celebration of Cinema & Television. During the event, he accepted the Vanguard Award and openly shared that his recent ordeal was not something he would wish upon "his worst enemy."

Many Rumors Have Swirled Around This Production

The on-screen pairing of Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz has been much anticipated. Their previous collaborations in films like Any Given Sunday and Annie showcased their remarkable on-screen chemistry and left a lasting impression. So it's not surprising that many are excited that Back in Action has brought Diaz out of retirement. With that, she and Foxx will hopefully reignite the magic that has made them a fan-favorite duo on the big screen.

In 2023, there were rumors about alleged on-set outbursts from the They Cloned Tyrone star. In March 2023, The Sun reported that the Soul actor had a significant breakdown on set, which resulted in the termination of four production team members, according to an unnamed source. The insider also mentioned that some crew members were dissatisfied and that the Dreamgirls alum's popularity took a hit. This supposed incident occurred just weeks before he was hospitalized due to a previously mentioned undisclosed medical emergency, requiring the use of body doubles to complete his remaining scenes.

However, the rumors may have been exaggerated because the Mask actress spoke about reteaming with Jamie's Foxx, saying that working with him has been a blast and that she loves him. This is excellent news, because I cannot wait to see the two together on screen again.

Back In Action Seems To Be In A Good Place Now

Following the mystery surrounding the leading man's undisclosed production-halting illness, it's great to see that the comedy action film is now back on track. The talented cast, which includes renowned actress Glenn Close, continued filming after Jamie Foxx's recovery. It's also still a miracle that the film was able to land Cameron Diaz in the first place, given the uncertainty she had about returning to work. We can't say for sure how the experience has been for the two leads since they've been in production again, but they appear to be enjoying each other's company.

Per the few details we have on the movie, it's about a woman who has been retired for six years returns smarter and stronger than ever. Although we have little information about the movie, this short description adds another layer of meaning to the already fitting meta title. Indeed, this movie could not have been given a better name. I'm excited to see what's ahead and remain happy that the Strays actor is back to doing what he does best.

You can see Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in action again when their movie is released on streaming later this year. All you need is a Netflix subscription. 

Cameron Diaz hasn’t appeared in a movie since 2014’s Annie, but that will soon change. Netflix subscribers can look forward to her re-teaming with Annie co-star Jamie Foxx for one of the many upcoming entries on the Netflix movie schedule, Back in Action. However, following rumors swirling that Foxx’s on-set outbursts resulted in Diaz deciding to retire from acting again, she’s now set the record straight and opened up about what it was really like working with him on this feature.

While stopping by the Lipstick on the Rim podcast to talk about her organic wine brand Avaline with business partner Katherine Power, Diaz briefly discussed her time on Back in Action. She complimented the man for her work ethic and expressed her frustration about the claims surrounding the production as follows:

For those who missed the rumors from late March 2023, it was reported by The Sun that Jamie Foxx has a “major meltdown” on the Back in Action set that resulted in four members of the production being fired. The article’s unnamed source added that “some people working on it are totally fed up with how this has played out and Jamie has become pretty unpopular.” This alleged “meltdown” occurred a few weeks before Foxx was hospitalized to an undisclosed “medical complication,” which required body doubles to be used in order to finish his remaining scenes.

Well, according to Cameron Diaz, there weren’t any issues with Jamie Foxx whatsoever during the making of Back in Action, and the actress known from movies like The Mask and Charlie’s Angels is irritated by the claims circulating around Jamie Foxx’s behavior. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean Diaz still isn’t considering re-retiring from acting, as it had also ben reported that the “back-to-back 10-hour workdays have been a lot on her” and she “hates being away” from her son Radix. But if Diaz does step away from the performing spotlight again, clearly Foxx won’t have had any part to play in that decision.

No specific plot details for Back in Action have been revealed yet, but Seth Gordon directed the movie and wrote the script with Brendan O’Brien, and Diaz and Foxx’s co-stars include Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, Andrew Scott and Jamie Demetriou. There’s also no word on when it will be released, though it seems like it will eventually end up somewhere on the 2024 movies calendar. For now, if you’d like to see Diaz and Foxx acting together, stream Annie with your Hulu subscription, provided you have a Starz add-on.

Considering just how hard it is to make in show business, it's remarkable how many celebrities have been good friends with other successful celebrities since before either was famous. Some going back to childhood. Here's our list of celebrities that have been friends for longer than they've been famous. 

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck

It’s probably the most famous friendship in Hollywood. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon grew up together in Cambridge, MA, and they’ve pretty much been besties ever since. They were even uncredited extras together in Field Of Dreams and both found early roles in School Ties together. Of course, in 1997 when they wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting together, their collective fame blew up. 

Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones

Another set of long-time friends are former Vice President Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones. They were roommates when they attended Harvard together. At the 2000 Democratic National Convention when the party nominated Gore to be its candidate for President, Jones said in a speech,

Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams were both taken from the world when they were too young. The two have more in common than tragedy though. Reeve and Williams forged a lifelong friendship after meeting as graduate students at Juilliard and rooming together while in school. Reeve even credited Williams with showing him that life would go on after a horse riding accident left him paralyzed. 

Madonna and Debi Mazar

Entourage star Debi Mazar and global superstar Madonna have been friends since the early ‘80s when they met in the hipster scene of the East Village and the dance clubs of New York City. They stayed friends since that time and Mazar has had Madonna’s back when internet trolls take shots at the pop music legend. Mazar also appeared in a number of Madonna’s early videos, like “Papa Don’t Preach.”

Ving Rhames and Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci and Ving Rhames were roommates as undergrads at SUNY Purchase. Tucci even gave Rhames his nickname, Ving, which is short for Erving. Rhames let the world in on that tidbit when he presented Tucci with a Golden Globe in 1998 for Tucci’s role in Winchell. The two have only worked on the same project together once though, 1995’s Kiss of Death. 

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler and Tiny Fey first met at the improv school Improv Olympic (now known as iO Theater) in the early ‘90s when they were both just starting out. In the years since, they’ve stayed friends and worked together a lot, including on SNL and hosting the Golden Globe Awards together. 

Brad Pitt and Sheryl Crow

Brad Pitt and Sheryl Crow have known each other since college. Pitt was a year behind Crow at the University of Missouri and according to Crow, they didn’t know each other well, but they did cross paths a lot, She worked with his fraternity during Greek Week and she was friends with his college girlfriend. She also jokes on the podcast that she dreamed she would marry Brad Pitt. 

Rick Moranis and Geddy Lee

Geddy Lee was the bass player and lead singer of Rush, one of the most popular bands of the last 50 years. Weirdly, his biggest hit wasn’t with Rush but was a song called “Take Off” that appeared on a Doug and Bob McKenzie album. He sang on the track because he’s been lifelong friends with Rick Moranis, who played Doug McKenzie. The two went to grade school together. 

Lauryn Hill and Zach Braff

Lauryn Hill attended Zach Braff’s bar mitzvah. You read that right. Braff told a story to Seth Meyers (whom Braff has known since college) about his bar mitzvah being “musical theater themed” and his partner in the games the kids played was none other than Ms. Lauryn Hill, who went to high school with Braff. 

Holly Hunter and Frances McDormand

Holly Hunter and Frances McDormand first met years before they both found success in Hollywood. They even roomed together in the Bronx. While they were roommates, McDormand met Joel Coen, of the Coen Brothers, and they started dating. Eventually, they would marry and Joel and Ethan Coen would cast both McDormand and Hunter in Raising Arizona, one of many roles the Coens have cast McDormand in. 

B.J. Novak and John Krasinski

B.J. Novak and John Krasinski were in the same class in high school at Newtown South High outside Boston. They were friends long before they both starred in The Office, though in high school, according to Novak, Krasinski was more of a jock, while Novak was a theater kid. Obviously, both ended up wildly successful as actors. 

Gwyneth Paltrow and Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph and Gwyneth Paltrow have been friends for years. Rudolph’s father, Richard, was best friends with Paltrow’s father, Bruce, and Maya and Gwyneth attended the same school, St. Augustine by the Sea School in Santa Monica.

Adam Sandler and director Judd Apatow famously shared an apartment in Los Angeles when they were both just starting out in the industry. When Sandler landed his gig with SNL and moved to New York, he continued to pay rent on the place because he was worried he’d immediately get fired from the show. He didn’t and the rest is history. 

Lisa Kudrow and Conan O'Brien

Conan O’Brien met Lisa Kudrow in 1985 when he moved to LA out of college and decided to take an improv class. According to O’Brien, he walked into the class on his first day and immediately identified Kudrow as someone that was going somewhere. 

Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson 

Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson first met in their sophomore year at the University of Texas. Both were in a playwriting seminar and Anderson immediately was intrigued by Wilson. They have stayed close over the years and Wilson is a regular player in Anderson’s films, starring in eight of them. 

Danny DeVito and Micheal Douglas

Starting way back in 1975 Danny DeVito and Micheal Douglas have been working together. Douglas produced One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest which DeVito had a supporting role in. The two have been friends for much longer, going all the way back to 1967 when they met on beach and immediately bonded. 

Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg

This might be the most surprising on the list. Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg went to Long Beach High School together. They've known each other since they were teenagers and, according to Diaz.

Brad Pitt and Jason Priestley

Before they were stars, Brad Pitt and Jason Priestley, as roommates, apparently would have contests to see who could go the longest without showering or shaving. Somehow, they were both still really, really good looking despite this. 

Laura Linney and Brooke Shields

Star of The Blue Lagoon, Brooke Shields, and star of You Can Count on Me, Laura Linney, have been counting on each other since they were children. Brooke Shields celebrated Laura Linney's 56th birthday in 2020 by posting a throwback of the two when they were just kids. 

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett got married in 1997, which was well after both had become successful. Their friendship, however, goes much further back. They met at Yale Drama School in the '80s, though both were dating other people at the time. They would reconnect years later and they've been together ever since. 

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton

Way before they found fame together on The Simple Life, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton were friends. According to Hilton on the show, they've been best friends since they were two years old. In September 2023, Hilton celebrated Richie's birthday by posting a bunch of photos of them through the years, from childhood to the present. 

The Great Gatsby was not the first time Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire worked together. They appeared together in This Boy's Life back in 1993. Their friendship, however, goes back even further having met early on when they were both struggling to land their first roles and auditioning for the same parts. They are still close friends. 

Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts

Technically Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts were already working actors when they met on the set of Flirting back in 1991. Neither were famous yet, and the fellow Aussies became fast friends, and have stayed very close ever since. 

Adam Levine and Jonah Hill

Adam Levine and Jonah Hill have been friends since childhood. They've often joked about each other in interviews and really seem to have a close bond. They are so close that Jonah Hill even officiated Levine's wedding in 2016. 

Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler and Kate Hudson have a lot in common, starting with all of their parents being famous themselves. They also both grew up in Los Angeles and attended the same high school together, Crossroads School for Arts & Science, where they first became buddies. They starred in Dr. T & the Women together in 2000 and are still very close friends

Jamie Dornan And Andrew Garfield

Jamie Dornan And Andrew Garfield have been mates for almost 20 years. The two were roommates in the early days of their careers, running in a pack with the likes of Charlie Cox, Robert Pattinson, and Eddie Redmayne as they struggled to land auditions. It's safe to say they've all done pretty well since then. 

Timothée Chalamet and Ansel Elgort

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City is one of the most prestigious arts high schools in the country. It's no surprise that it has its fair share of famous former students. Two of those are Timothée Chalamet and Ansel Elgort, who were in the same class and have been best friends since attending. 

Scarlett Johansson and Jack Antonoff

Like so many others on this list, actor Scarlett Johansson and musician Jack Antonoff attended high school together. What makes them different is that they even briefly dated and went to the prom together at New York City's Professional Children’s School. They broke up after graduation, but they'll always have prom! 

Mel Gibson and Geoffrey Rush

The country of Australia is not all Mel Gibson and Geoffrey Rush have in common, When both were starving artists trying to make it early on, they shared an apartment that, according to Gibson, didn't have any furniture. A few decades later it's safe to assume both have plenty of places to sleep and sit down after all their success. 

Kristen Bell and Matthew Morrison

Kristen Bell attended the prestigious New York University's Tisch School of the Arts alongside Glee star Matthew Morrison. They were friends in college, and as Bell told Us Weekly in 2010, the two briefly dated. She told the magazine, 

David Lynch and Peter Wolf

In what might be the oddest pairing on this list, director David Lynch and musician Peter Wolf were once roommates at School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in the 1960s. Wolf, who is famous for being the lead singer of the great J. Geils Band told The New York Times that the living situation didn't last long, as he was way too messy for Lynch. 

Kirsten Gillibrand and Connie Britton

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of Massachusetts and actor Connie Britton first met on a study-abroad trip to China while both were in college at Dartmouth. The pair have remained friends in the decades since and often post about each other on social media and of course, Britton endorsed Gillibrand when she first ran for the senate.

Actors, musicians, politicians, roommates, childhood friends, and starving artists. Each pair on this list have unique stories, that are somehow also very similar. They say birds of a feather flock together and this list of celebrities who were friends before they were famous seems to prove that point over and over.  

On August 30, Cameron Diaz turned 51 years old, so naturally the actress who kicked off her Hollywood career nearly 30 years ago with The Mask was greeted with happy birthday wishes from all over. This included her husband of eight years, Good Charlotte guitarist and backup vocalist Benji Madden, which resulted in a sweet exchange between the couple. As a bonus though, Madden’s twin, Good Charlotte’s lead vocalist Joel Madden, chimed in with his own sweet comment.

Taking to his Instagram page, Benji Madden started off by saying how despite being “mostly” offline these days and busy “working, painting, making things and doing family life,” he still has his “little tradition of coming back on” to celebrate “special occasions to show love to my Queen.” That “Queen,” of course, is Cameron Diaz, and here’s how her husband wished her a happy birthday this year:

Well this is just all kinds of sweet! After he shared this beautiful message to the masses, Diaz wrote the following in the post’s comment section:

Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden began dating in early 2014 and married on January 5, 2015 at the actress’ home in Beverly Hills, California. In 2019, their daughter Raddix was born via surrogate. We have actress Nicole Richie, Joel Madden’s wife, to thank for Diaz and Benji ending up together, as she introduced them. Circling back to Joel, after Diaz responded to Beni’s birthday post, the man’s brother wrote the below simple, yet heartwarming comment:

See what I did there? Heartwarming? Ok, moving on. Cameron Diaz has been keeping busy in recent years with various business endeavors, including running her wine brand Avaline, and she also popped up as a guest judge last year on RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars. However, we haven’t seen her act since 2014, when her movies The Other Woman, Sex Tape and Annie came out. That will soon change thought, as Diaz is coming out of acting retirement for Back In Action, appearing opposite her Annie co-star Jamie Foxx. 

Whether Diaz will re-retire after the upcoming Netflix movie’s arrives remains to be seen. On the one hand, she reportedly doesn’t like the “back-to-back 10 hour work days” and “hates being away from Raddix.” Oh the other hand, with Shrek 5 possibly entering development and director McG being game to reunite Diaz with Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore for Charlie’s Angels 3, maybe she’d be game to stick with the acting game a little longer. 

For now, we’ll just going Benji Madden in wishing Ms. Diaz a happy 51st birthday, albeit belatedly. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more news about her, and look through our 2023 release schedule and 2024 release schedule to see what movies are coming out in the near future.

Long before director Elizabeth Banks put her unique spin on the most recent Charlie’s Angels reboot, the world saw Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu breathe new life into the ‘70s action series. Two successful movies with that team working alongside director McG still have people wondering if Charlie’s Angels 3 could happen with the cinematic OGs. While it’s not exactly a given, the helmer behind those movies does have some very specific thoughts on what it might take to get things off the ground. 

As he spoke with EW, the man whose real name is Joseph McGinty Nichol sounded enthusiastic to potentially return for another round of explosive antics. However, he did include some caveats with those sentiments, especially when it came to his opinion on Elizabeth Banks’ variant of Charlie’s Angels. Here’s what Nichol had to say: 

McG’s not wrong in his assessment of the situation, as it’s been 20 years since the release of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. So naturally, the schedules of the leading ladies of his incarnation are way different than they were back in those days. Contrary to popular belief, Lucy Liu and her co-stars actually got along, with claims of their feuding behavior being nothing more than gossip.

So there’s a chance that Liu, as well as Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, might be interested in getting the band back together. At the same time, McG isn’t possessive of his time on the Charlie’s Angels franchise, tipping his hat to the movie that unfortunately saw Elizabeth Banks bearing the brunt of its failure. Add it all up, and it spells an uncertain future for a potential Charlie’s Angels 3, which has Joseph leaving the matter with these final words: 

As one of the best movie adaptations of a ‘70s TV show, the '00s reboot to Charlie’s Angels clearly still has a devoted fan base buzzing over its potential return. It’s not impossible, but as McG laid out above, there are a lot of moving pieces that’d need to be put together to pave the way. 

Who knows, maybe there's room for a crossover between the 2000 reboot Angels and the newer generation from Elizabeth Banks' film. While the world of entertainment sorts itself out on these matters, you can kick back with the nostalgia of that first McG-directed entry, which is currently streaming free with ads on Pluto TV.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been the hottest concert ticket of the year, and this past week the pop star has been playing a record-breaking run of six sold-out shows at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Since L.A. is the home of so many famous Hollywood stars, tons more big celebrities enjoying the concert are popping up on social media – the latest being Tiffany Haddish having a girls' night with Cameron Diaz and Zoe Saldaña. 

I don’t know about you, but I had absolutely no idea this trio would exist. However, it’s great to see these three powerhouse actresses enjoying Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour from the floor of Sofi Stadium. Check out Haddish’s hilarious video watching the show as Diaz and Saldaña chill next to her: 

Honestly, watch this entire Instagram video, it’s too good. Haddish posted a bit of her experience with her fellow actresses, dancing to “no body, no crime” of all songs with drinks in hand. Haddish was completely vibing with Swift’s show in the evermore segment, and I can’t imagine how much the section was getting down once her Reputation or 1989 eras began. 

Haddish had funny commentary to share with fans while she watched the show too, quipping that Swift “got the woods in the middle of Inglewood” as the song transitioned to “willow.” The actress also compared the section of the tour to her latest movie, Haunted Mansion along with saying she was definitely going to lose her voice by the end of the show. 

The comedian shared a group photo with Cameron Diaz and Zoe Saldaña at the show too. Check it: 

The trio of A-list actresses joins a long list of celebs who are making it to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Swift landed in Los Angeles on Thursday night to a crowd of famous folks including Brie Larson, Alexandra Daddario, Sarah Paulson and Lupita Nyong’o, among many, many others. However, throughout Swift’s tour across the United States, we’ve seen big stars like Emma Stone, Laura Dern, Paul Rudd, Blake Lively, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Josh Gad, to name a few, pop up to listen to Swift's music and trade friendship bracelets with the Swifties.

The Eras Tour is so lucrative and popular that Taylor Swift is reportedly making $13 million a show! Once Swift ends her six-show run at Sofi Stadium, she will have concluded her first U.S. leg of the tour that began back in March. In late August, Swift will be back on the road briefly in Mexico before heading to Brazil in November and Japan in February 2024. She’ll continue to tour her show throughout 2024, as she even announced more dates this week. 

There’s so much upcoming Taylor Swift to look forward to, and you gotta love the singer bringing together Haddish, Diaz and Saldaña for the occasion!