Highlights

• Diaz's decision not to promote "The Counselor" was likely influenced by financial security and dissatisfaction with her character's portrayal.
• Diaz's character's accent was changed after filming, leading to her refusal to do promotional work for the film.
• "The Counselor" was a commercial and critical failure, disappointing both fans and critics.

Cameron Diaz made the stunning decision not to promote her 2013 crime thriller film The Counselor, and the reasons behind her choice are quite understandable.

This is certainly the case considering some tumultuous behind-the-scenes experiences that she had. Diaz is a name synonymous with Hollywood success, as evidenced by an impressive track record that positions her as one of the industry's most successful and bankable stars. Some of her most groundbreaking achievements include a legendary deal that saw her earnings skyrocket from $1 million to a staggering $40 million for her role in Bad Teacher.

The actress' financial acumen was also on full display with her involvement in Shrek 2, where she reportedly earned an astonishing $1 million per hour. As of January 2024, Diaz's estimated net worth stands at a remarkable $140 million. This figure is even more impressive considering she actually took an eight-year hiatus from acting between 2014 and 2022.

This established level of financial security likely played a crucial role in Diaz's decision to step back from promoting The Counselor, without fearing significant career repercussions. The same could also be said of the challenges she faced in making the film.

Why Cameron Diaz Refused To Promote The Counselor

While Cameron Diaz never explicitly stated her refusal to promote The Counselor, her absence from promotional activities appeared to speak volumes. The Ridley Scott-directed film told the story of a Texas lawyer, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, who gets entangled in a drug deal due to financial desperation.

Alongside Fassbender's character, who is engaged to Laura (Penélope Cruz), Brad Pitt featured as the middleman Westray, Javier Bardem as the shady nightclub owner Reiner, and Diaz herself as Malkina, Reiner's sociopathic lover.

The crux of the award-winning actress’ apparent reluctance to engage in the film's promotion, however, is said to have stemmed from a significant issue with her character's portrayal. Initially, Diaz delivered her performance as Malkina with a strong Bajan accent, reportedly reminiscent of Rihanna.

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This outcome did not sit well with the executives at Fox, though. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Diaz was compelled to redub all her lines, stripping her character of the original accent. This demand to essentially alter her entire performance was received with less than enthusiasm by the actor, who later refused to do any promotional work for the movie.

Cameron Diaz Also Performed An Infamous Scene In The Counselor

Redubbing her entire script was not Cameron Diaz's only misfortune in the movie The Counselor. The accomplished star is now also infamous for performing an X-rated scene that has been described as going “way too far.” In this controversial scene, Diaz's character, Malkina, is shown straddling a Ferrari in an erotic manner.

The perspective of the scene is through the eyes of Javier Bardem's Reiner, who narrates the events to Michael Fassbender's character. This particular scene quickly became a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike, primarily for its shock value. The scene's inclusion in the film left many puzzled about its purpose and relevance.

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One comment on YouTube reflected this confusion: "I have never been sure why this scene was even in the movie other than to make me laugh uncontrollably. It's not really very sexy and Javier’s facial expressions are priceless. And I can only imagine how uncomfortable Cameron Diaz was with doing this scene. Sometimes I think these filmmakers put these scenes in films just to see actresses humiliated."

Cameron Diaz’s The Counselor Was A Critical Failure

Cameron Diaz’s The Counselor was not just a personal disappointment for the star, but it also turned out to be a critical and commercial failure. The film's performance at the box office was underwhelming, despite grossing a sum of $71 million against a production budget of $25 million. The project essentially failed to generate the expected interest or revenue despite the star-studded cast and the renowned director behind it.

The Counselor Commercial Performance (per The Numbers)

This lackluster performance was mirrored in its critical reception, which was overwhelmingly negative. Critics were particularly harsh in their assessments, with some describing the film as confusing and out of place. One review likened watching The Counselor to "watching a movie in another language," while another compared it to "watching a group of decent, polite people trying to cope with the arrival of a certifiable lunatic to their hitherto civilised party."

Further criticism noted the motion picture's lack of subtlety and inventiveness. This lack of creativity would have been a significant letdown, considering the caliber of talent involved in both the making of the film.

Fans echoed these sentiments, expressing their disappointment in no uncertain terms. One fan remarked, "Considering the amount of talent working together here both in front and behind the camera, this has to be one of the most catastrophic misfires of all times." Another bluntly referred to The Counselor as "inept and boring melodramatic waffle."

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