Jim Carrey Reveals Why He Agreed To Do ‘Sonic 3’: ‘I Need The Money, Frankly’

Actor Jim Carrey candidly revealed why he signed on to do the third installment of the “Sonic” franchise despite being semi-retired, saying his motivation had everything to do with money. 

The 62-year-old actor made the revelation while speaking with the Associated Press at the “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” United Kingdom premiere on Tuesday. Carrey plays the movie’s villain, Dr. Robotnik.

“I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And, you know, it’s just… I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money, frankly. Yeah,” Carrey said.

The actor had previously said he didn’t want to continue working in Hollywood unless a perfect project came along. “I’m being fairly serious,” Carrey told Access Hollywood in 2022 while promoting “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”

He continued, “It depends. If the angels bring some sort of script that’s written in gold ink, that says to me that it’s going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road. But I’m taking a break.”

Carrey also said he “really” likes his “quiet life” and painting. “I feel like — and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists — I have enough,” he said. “I’ve done enough. I am enough.”

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AP asked Carrey about those remarks on Wednesday, to which he replied, “That might have been hyperbole.”

That wasn’t the first time Carrey hinted at retiring from Hollywood. In 2018, he expressed his disdain for the industry while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter.

“I didn’t like what was happening, the corporations taking over and all that,” he said. “And maybe it’s because I felt pulled toward a different type of creative outlet and I really liked the control of painting — of not having a committee in the way telling me what the idea must be to appeal to a four-quadrant whatever.”

During that time, the actor worked as a political cartoonist, specifically focused on lambasting President Donald Trump. He quit that endeavor in 2021.

The Canadian-American actor is best known for his over-the-top, energetic, and slapstick performances. Carrey became famous after being cast on the sketch comedy series “In Living Color” and went on to star in several box office hits, including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994), “The Mask” (1994), “Dumb and Dumber” (1994), “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” (1995), “Batman Forever “(1995), “Liar Liar” (1997), “The Truman Show” (1998), “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000), “Bruce Almighty” (2003), “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004), and “Yes Man” (2008). 

The actor stopped doing as many films in later years but still co-starred in the “Sonic” franchise and a sequel to “Dumb and Dumber” in 2014.