Cameron Diaz Talks Returning To Acting And Reuniting With Jamie Foxx For New Movie

During her appearance on Friday’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actress opened up about coming out of retirement after eight years to star alongside Jamie Foxx in the upcoming Netflix movie Back in Action.

When asked if she felt “nervous,” “excited,” or “both,” Diaz, 40, said, “I’m both. It’s a bit of muscle memory, you know what I mean? so long, it’s a bit like the process, I kind of fell back into it. But it feels a little different.

The Avaline founder continued to speak out about reuniting with Foxx, as the two had previously shared the screen twice: on the 1994 sports drama Any Given Sunday, as well as the 2014 movie musical Annie, which was Diaz’s final credit before her retirement.

“I’ve also done two films with Jamie, which is amazing. … The last movie I did was ‘Annie’ with Jamie, so the first movie back is that movie with Jamie,” Diaz said. “Well, it’s amazing. He’s so great, he’s so easy, he’s so professional, he’s so talented and just being able to work with him will be so much fun.”

After noting that The Holiday star would “laugh” while working with Foxx, Fallon, 50, said with a laugh, “I’m nervous because I have to listen to Jamie because he’s going to leave and you just say, ‘Okay.’ He’s like a racehorse.”

“I just want to be able to support him along the way,” Diaz told Fallon, who joked that he just lets Foxx “take over the show” when he’s a guest.

News of Diaz’s return to acting broke back in June through a phone call between “Charlies Angels” actress Foxx and NFL Tom Brady, who was plugged into a phone call between the co-stars to offer some sound advice on how to do it goes “unrest.”

Fox, 54, shared the clip of the audio on Twitter and wrote: “Cameron I hope you’re not mad I recorded this but there’s no going back now. Had to call the GOAT to bring back another GOAT.”

“I’m so worried right now,” Diaz said in the clip. “I’m pacing the room right now. I’m excited but I don’t know how to do this, you know?”

“Listen, I have someone on the other line who can help you with this. Can I click it in?” Foxx then asked. “Cameron, it’s the GOAT,” he said when Brady said hello.

“Oh my god, is that Tom Brady?” Diaz giggled.

Brady explained that he “spoke to Jamie and he said you need some tips on how to lift retirement. I’m relatively successful at coming out of retirement.” Diaz said his guidance was “just what I needed” … but sadly, we never heard exactly what that sage advice was.

The My Best Friend’s Wedding actress reposted the audio clip to her Instagram story at the time, writing, “@iamjamiefoxx only you could get me back in action! I can’t wait, it’s going to be a great time!”

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight last month, Foxx revealed how he convinced Diaz to lift his retirement and join the project, which he also serves as executive producer.

“It was literally, ‘Want to have some fun? Just have some fun!’ And I think that’s what made her do it,” he said after praising Diaz. “Cameron is such an incredible force and she’s done so much in this business. We love her.”

“We sometimes miss special moments in our business and I think this is a special moment,” he added. “That’s why we’re so happy it’s happening and looking forward to it.”

When the shooting of “Back in Action” will start is not yet known. According to Deadline, the film is an action comedy.