Cameron Diaz has officially made her acting comeback with Back in Action, a Netflix film marking her return after a decade-long hiatus. During a recent appearance on the SkipIntro podcast, the actress opened up about how much the industry has changed since she last worked—especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
“The industry is so different. I definitely have to say that MeToo changed everything,” Diaz shared. She noted that the vibe on set has improved significantly, with fewer instances of intimidation or inappropriate behavior. “There’s no longer that one guy who terrifies people whenever he approaches.”
The Mask actress recalled dealing with layers of “inappropriateness” on past movie sets but felt she had no choice but to endure it. However, while filming Back in Action, she was surprised by the proactive safety measures in place. Human resources consulted with her before shooting, and she was given access to an anonymous hotline for reporting any concerns. Diaz admitted she had “never felt safer on a film set.”
Diaz, who shot to fame with The Mask (1994) and starred in hits like There’s Something About Mary, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Charlie’s Angels, stepped away from acting to focus on her family. However, she credits her Back in Action co-star, Jamie Foxx, for convincing her to return.
“I am back, all thanks to Jamie,” she revealed on The Graham Norton Show last month. The film follows two former CIA spies, Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx), who are forced out of retirement after their identities are exposed.
Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.