'Ace Ventura 3' Reportedly in the Works, But Will Jim Carrey Return?

It's been announced that AceVentura 3 — a new sequel to the classic '90s comedy franchise, is currently in the works at Amazon. The news was revealed in an interview with the team from Morgan Creek, the studio that produced Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) and its predecessor, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995). During a conversation with Park Circus, a representative for Morgan Creek revealed the news of the in-development sequel, revealing "Ace Ventura will see a new day at Amazon as a major motion-picture/theatrical with the Sonic the Hedgehog writers."

The rep stated that everyone involved is "pretty excited" about the opportunity to jumpstart the Ace Ventura franchise again and that they feel quite confident that fans want to see the outlandish pet detective make a comeback as well. "It's noticeable from the 3 million fans chatting on the official Facebook page for Ace Ventura that audiences are clamoring for a third installment," they stated. "During COVID, audiences have been in love and are thrilled to have beloved characters brought back with new stories."

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective opened in theaters on Feb. 4, 1994. The film was a major financial success, raking in over $100 million on a budget of only around $15 million. The movie was a huge career boost for Jim Carrey, who played the title role. Carrey had done a number of small films prior, such as Once Bitten (1985) and Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), which also starred Geena Davis, Julie Brown, Jeff Goldblum, and Damon Wayans.

After the movie was such a massive hit with audiences, a sequel was tracked and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls debuted in Nov. 10. 1995. Somehow an even bigger success, the sequel brought in over $210 million at the box office, off a budget of $30 million. The flick even earned Carrey some awards, as he won Best Male Performance and Best Comedic Performance at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards. He also took home the trophy for Favorite Movie Actor at 1996 Kid's Choice Awards. Carrey recently paid homage to the classic character in an SNL sketch, which took aim at former U.S. President Donald Trump.

In addition to the two major motion pictures starring Carrey, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective cartoon aired on CBS from 1995 to 1997. A third season, as well as reruns of the first two, aired on Nickelodeon from 1999 to 2000. The most recent entry into the Ace Ventura franchise came with the made-for-TV movie Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective, which focused on the young Ventura following in his father's (Ace Ventura's) footsteps in order to save his mother from being sent to jail.

There is no word on whether or not Carrey will be involved with the new film, but back in 2018 his Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls — and In Living Color — co-star Tommy Davidson made it clear that the actor was not interested in the idea. "[Carrey] doesn't want to do it now. But Jim is one of those kinds of artists that, you know, he does what he feels, he does what he believes in," Davidson told Us Weekly at the time.

"I asked him about it," Davidson added. "I told him, 'Hey man, it'd be nice in Jamaica.' He said, 'No I'm not doing those now.'" While Carrey may not have been interested in another Ace Venture sequel in the past, it is possible that the Sonic The Hedgehog writers (Pat Casey and Josh Miller) being involved is a clue that he might be. Carrey stars in the Sonic film as the speedy blue character's nemesis, Dr. Robotnik. He is set to appear in the upcoming sequel as well.