Jim Carrey is being brutally honest.
The actor, 62, got candid on what motivated him to reprise his role as the villainous Dr. Robotnik in the upcoming action adventure movie “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
“You know, I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius. Which is a bit of a stretch,” Carrey told the Associated Press at the film’s UK premiere in London on Tuesday. “And, you know, it’s just I bought a lot of stuff, and I need the money, frankly.”
“Sonic the Hedgehog” features live-action adaptations of the Sega video game and the third installment also stars Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally and Krysten Ritter.
The “Liar Liar” star previously admitted he had stipulations to continue working in the industry.
“I’m being fairly serious,” Carrey told Access Hollywood of retirement after the 2022 release of the second “Sonic” movie. “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.”
When AP asked Carrey about his prior remarks on Tuesday, he replied with a laugh, “That might have been hyperbole.”
During his 2022 interview with Access, the “Dumb and Dumber” star said he “really” likes his “quiet life” and painting passion.
“I feel like — and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists — I have enough,” Carrey explained. “I’ve done enough. I am enough.”
Carrey has multiple roles in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and also portrays his villain’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. Director Jeff Fowler told SFXmagazine in November, “For him to create a whole new character within the world was certainly an exciting opportunity, and he just went all in.”
“No detail was too small,” he added about Carrey’s involvement. “He helped design the prosthetics and everything. Talking about things to wrap your head around, having made three films with Jim Carrey, that’s a real mind-bender.”
Carrey’s latest film, which hits theaters Dec. 20, comes on the heels of his older sister Rita’s death.
Last month, Rita’s husband of 16 years, Alex, announced the sad news on Facebook.
“It is with [a] heavy heart and my deepest sadness, surrounded by her family and friends Rita passed away peacefully and quietly on November 14 2024,” his message began. “Rita and I (Alex) have been together for 16 years and we just got married last year in July in an outdoor wedding that she has always wanted.”
Alex added in part that he will “never forget this beautiful and amazingly talented woman. Goodbye my lover. Goodbye my friend. Until we meet again. You really did have the Time of your life.”
Carrey has yet to publicly comment on Rita’s passing.
