Matthew McConaughey turned down Guardians Vol. 2 to do The Dark Tower

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

With both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe filling up schedules for the next few years, we've got more than enough comic-book movies on the way, which also means that almost any big-name actor who wants to join up will likely get their chance. Not every actor wants to join a superhero franchise however and it turns out that Matthew McConaughey is one of those who isn't eager to sign up, at least not right now. Last year it was revealed that both Marvel and James Gunn were courting Matthew McConaughey for the role of the villain in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, but McConaughey passed on the role in order to join THE DARK TOWER as The Man in Black opposite Idris Elba's Roland Deschain.

While chatting with Playboy, McConaughey revealed why he chose THE DARK TOWER over the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY sequel.

I like Guardians of the Galaxy, but what I saw was “It’s successful, and now we’ve got room to make a colorful part for another big-name actor.” I’d feel like an amendment. The Dark Tower script was well written, I like the director and his take on it, and I can be the creator, the author of the Man in Black—a.k.a. the Devil—in my version of this Stephen King novel. We’ve done the first one. It’s a fantastic thriller that takes place in another realm, an alternate universe, but it’s very much grounded. For instance, the gunslinger’s weapon isn’t a lightsaber or something; it’s a pistol. I enjoyed approaching my character as if I were the Devil having a good time, getting turned on by exposing human hypocrisies wherever he finds them.

While it definitely would have been great to see what Matthew McConaughey could do in the MCU, I certainly understand his reasons for passing on the role. Perhaps Marvel will be able to lure him back for a future project. Any ideas on which upcoming Marvel role McConaughey would be a good fit for?

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 will arrive on May 5, 2017 and will be followed by THE DARK TOWER on July 28, 2017.