Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx have each other's unwavering support. In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Seth Gordon, the director of "Back in Action," revealed how the duo lent each other strength throughout the filming process—a time when Diaz, 52, made her long-awaited acting comeback after a decade-long hiatus, and Foxx, 57, faced a medical scare on set in April 2023.
"They provided a profoundly deep level of mutual support," said the 48-year-old filmmaker, speaking of Diaz and Foxx. "Anyone who was present on set will attest that Jamie was Diaz's biggest cheerleader and hype man, and truly for everyone involved, but particularly for her. And in return, she spiritually reciprocated that support."
In the thrilling film "Back in Action," Foxx and Diaz bring to life the characters of Matt and Emily, former CIA operatives. Netflix's official synopsis paints a vivid picture: "After relinquishing their dangerous lives as spies to embark on a new journey as a family, years have passed..."Emily and Matt are unexpectedly drawn back into the espionage world when their cover is blown."
The two actors first shared the screen in 1999's "Any Given Sunday" and later co-starred in 2014's "Annie," which marked Diaz's final film appearance before "Back in Action."
Collaborating with Foxx and Diaz was an unparalleled experience for Gordon. He recounted his first meeting with the pair as a "holy-cow moment," where they finished each other's sentences seamlessly, their chemistry and vibrant energy serving as a genuine inspiration.
Gordon shared with PEOPLE how Foxx and Diaz's close friendship even influenced him to infuse more comedy into the Netflix project. "It made me yearn for less action and more scenes where they could just hang out and play," he elaborated. "Whenever we filmed those scenes, they infused me and the crew with a renewed sense of energy."
"Witnessing people truly excel is inspiring for everyone, isn't it? So, I endeavored to incorporate such moments as much as feasible, keeping in mind that 'action' is, after all, part of the title, preventing us from excising too many scenes," Gordon continued. "But together, they are truly remarkable."
Currently, "Back in Action" is available for streaming on Netflix.
