Plenty of successful Jim Carrey films have gone without sequels, but of all the (probably) bad movies audiences were spared, The Truman Show 2 is the one we’re glad never said good morning, good afternoon, good evening or goodnight. Beloved for his comic brilliance (Bruce Almighty, Liar Liar), dramatic nous (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and a more recent slapstick portrayal of Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim Carrey is an actor beloved by many. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 apparently marks his final big screen role, although whether that’s a “Hollywood” retirement remains to be seen.
Over the years, Jim Carrey has developed something of a sequel-averse reputation. Aside from his second round against the blue hedgehog, Carrey has only ever made two follow-ups: Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Dumb and Dumber To. Given Hollywood’s propensity for revisiting successful releases, that’s an incredibly low ratio – especially for an actor with 40 years on the clock. Explaining this unusual trend in 2022, Carrey told ComicBook, “Sequels have a diminishing return. If you do it long enough after the fact, you’re kind of imitating yourself now; you’re not using your original inspiration.” Carrey’s filmosophy leaves a host of standalone movies that might’ve received sequels had they starred a less discerning actor – The Cable Guy, Liar Liar… and The Truman Show.
Some will inevitably feel disappointment at never catching up with an older Chip Douglas; others will be relieved to avoid another Dumb & Dumber To, but the prospective Jim Carrey sequel that really brings bile into the mouth is The Truman Show 2. Any attempt at a sequel to 1998’s satirical classic would be anathema to the original movie’s overarching message. Quite apart from commercial capitalism and human voyeurism, The Truman Show satirizes western society’s relentless drive to consume media – a message that looks eerily prophetic in an age of smartphones and streaming services. By its very nature, The Truman Show 2 would represent exactly what Andrew Niccol’s script was taking shots at. Truman Burbank’s story ends so beautifully, the only reason to revisit him would be exploiting The Truman Show‘s immense popularity, and while that’s certainly the Hollywood norm, it runs counter to this specific film’s commentary. You could absolutely imagine Ed Harris’ Christof developing a Truman Cinematic Universe.
Whomever would accept the challenge of writing a follow-up to The Truman Show must also face a no-win scripting scenario. If the sequel revealed Truman Burbank lived happily upon exiting his secret TV show, audiences would question the necessity of a second movie at all. If the sequel revealed Truman Burbank’s life was a miserable disaster after walking through that door – and Carrey’s character wound up 60-years-old begging for a return to Seahaven Island – audiences would question the point of the first movie. The brilliance behind The Truman Show‘s ending is how viewers don’t get to know what happens next. Truman’s life becomes private once he ceases to be a TV attraction, and that transition is reflected in how (and more importantly when) the story ends.
Even if fantasy sequels like Liar Liar 2: Pants On Fire and The Wi-Fi Guy turned out as terrible as those titles, they wouldn’t damage the integrity of their predecessors. A loose-lipped Jim Carrey telling brutal truths and dancing around a courtroom for an hour-and-a-half might yield diminishing returns, but it doesn’t tarnish anyone’s enjoyment of Liar Liar. The Truman Show 2 is a rare exception where revisiting that same character in that same fictional world actually undermines the impact and power behind the first movie, weakening Truman’s arc of awakening and falling victim to the very commercial pitfalls his character stands against.
Jim Carrey’s retirement means movie audiences will never again see that famous rubber face portray another fictional character. However, it also means that – in a world where anything and everything can be revived on your streaming service of choice, The Truman Show is safe from the sequel treatment… assuming we don’t get The Evan Show with Steve Carell.
