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Whether it’s movies or television, nostalgia is very much the way of things in Hollywood these days. But even in today’s reboot-heavy landscape, no one probably expected to see The Cable Guy return. Jim Carrey reprised his role from the Ben Stiller-directed dark comedy for a 2022 Super Bowl ad. But should fans take that return to mean The Cable Guy 2 is officially in the works? Let’s take a closer look.

Matthew Broderick furrows his brow and Jim Carrey smiles at Medieval Times in 'The Cable Guy'
Matthew Broderick and Jim Carrey in ‘The Cable Guy’ | Columbia Pictures

Jim Carrey earned a then-record $20 million for ‘The Cable Guy’

Initially, The Cable Guy was the Carrey comedy that lived in infamy. The film’s 1996 release followed a string of hits that includes both Ace Ventura films, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and Batman Forever. So naturally, most fans weren’t ready for The Cable Guy‘s dark edge at the time. Instead, the movie was most notable as the first Carrey-led flop and, ironically, the film which earned the actor a record $20 million paycheck.

But time has been kind to The Cable Guy. In the context of the darker, and more complex entries in Carrey’s later filmography, the movie developed a cult following. Its satirical edges — which take aim at viewers’ collective obsession with media, specifically television — feel as relevant as ever. And Carrey delivers what is arguably one of the most layered performances of his career. So in a way, the time feels right to revisit The Cable Guy.

Does the actor’s 2022 Super Bowl ad tease a sequel is coming?

Carrey himself took to Twitter in the days leading up to Super Bowl LVI to tease his return as the mysterious cable guy. And indeed, the actor put back on the blue jumpsuit for a new ad for Verizon. The 90-second spot promotes the company’s 5G Internet, proving just how obsolete the traditional cable company’s service has become. Carrey fans will get a kick out of seeing him speak in the character’s trademark lisp and remixing classic lines. But is there a sequel on the horizon?

As discussed, the time is right for The Cable Guy 2, should Carrey and Stiller be interested. And whether intentional or not, the Verizon ad provides fun story possibilities. What would Carrey’s character do if he found himself out of a job? However, there’s no reason to think a new movie is in the works. If anything, fans can see the Verizon spot as a reclamation project of sorts, reaffirming The Cable Guy as a solid addition to Carrey’s career and not the movie that tarnished his star power.

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Jim Carrey seems more open than ever to tap into nostalgia

Even though The Cable Guy 2 probably won’t happen anytime soon, Carrey has demonstrated more willingness to revisit the past in recent years. In 2014, the actor reunited with co-star Jeff Daniels and directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly for Dumb and Dumber To. That marked the first time he had reprised a role since 1995’s Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. So there’s every chance that other Carrey hits from the 1990s could be destined for comebacks.

In particular, the writers of 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog — in which Carrey plays the villainous Dr. Robotnik — are working on a new Ace Ventura film. Though unconfirmed, it’s heavily speculated that Carrey could be slipping back into the Hawaiian shirt soon. Fans will no doubt be watching the news closely, as it develops. But if 60-year-old Carrey is willing to return as his breakout character, then perhaps all bets are off.

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