Jim Carrey admits he’s come out of acting retirement because he ‘needs the money’

Jim Carrey has said he's had to come out of retirement because he 'needs the money'.

In 2022, it was revealed that Carrey would be retiring after an impressive career spanning decades.

From Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to Dumb and Dumber, The Mask and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Carrey is largely known for his comedic roles.

However, he also showed off his acting chops for more dramatic films, like The Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Number 23.

While he said that he would return under very special conditions - if the script is delivered by angels and 'written in gold ink', to be precise - it seems Carrey has had a change of heart.

And there's a pretty straightforward reason why.

In an interview with Kit Kuvir for Access Hollywood, Carrey previously explained that he was planning on retiring after finishing the second Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

When told by Kuvir that Dolly Parton wanted him to play her musical partner in a biopic, the actor responded: "That's great. But I'm retiring. I'm saying this quite seriously.

Jim Carrey has come out of retirement to play Dr Robotnik in the Sonic franchise (John Phillips/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

"Unless, of course, the angels suddenly bring me some script written in golden ink, and I realize that it is very important for people to see it, then maybe I will come back."

He added: "I really like my quiet life and I really like putting paint on canvas and I really love my spiritual life and I feel like, and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists – I have enough. I’ve done enough. I am enough.’

Well, earlier this year, it was announced that Carrey would be reprising his role as Dr Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

The second movie ended with Robotnik falling from a gigantic robot, with audiences left wondering if he had survived the fall.

It is the third instalment in the franchise, joining Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - which collectively made $870.8 million at the box office.

So, surely it must have been the script Carrey was referring to? Well, not quite as when speaking to an AP Entertainment reporter on the red carpet, he was asked about what he originally said about his retirement plans, with the actor admitting he may have exaggerated.

Carrey came back as Dr Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Paramount Pictures)

“That might’ve been hyperbole, yeah,” Carrey joked.

“I came back to this universe because I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And you know, I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money, frankly.”

As well as Carrey, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 also stars Ben Schwartz, Colleen O' Shaughnessey and Idris Elba as Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, while Keanu Reeves joins the cast as Shadow.

The movie is set for release in the US on December 20, 2024.