Matthew McConaughey was offered but passed on the lead in “Doctor Strange” and the villain in the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”
In an interview with Playboy, McConaughey explains why he turned down the Marvel films… and why he accepted the starring role in another science fantasy saga, “The Dark Tower.”
“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,” said McConaughey.
McConaughey, who will play The Man in Black in the film adaptation of the Stephen King novel, added “‘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.”
“The Dark Tower” blends horror and fantasy to tell the tale of a gunslinger (Idris Elba), who has taken up the lifelong quest of locating the Dark Tower — which is the nexus of the universe — before evil invades and destroys the tower, ending all existence.
Sony Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, and MRC are co-financing the ambitious feature film, which Nikolaj Arcel will direct from a script by Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner that’s primarily based on the first book in King’s series, “The Gunslinger.” Arcel is currently working with Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Anders Thomas Jensen (“Election Night”) to rewrite the script.
Happy National Superhero Day: 5 More Superhero Movies Coming Soon, From 'Guardians' to 'Wonder Woman' (Photos)
Happy National Superhero Day! With film like "Lego Batman" and "Logan," 2017 has already been a great year for superheroes -- and there are five major super-movies still to come.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" May 5, 2017 Set two months after the first film, the Guardians of the Galaxy travel throughout the cosmos and struggle to keep their newfound family together, while helping Peter Quill learn more about his true parentage.
Marvel Studios
"Wonder Woman" June 2, 2017 In the early 20th Century, the Amazon princess Diana (Gal Gadot), who is living on the island of Themyscira, meets American military pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) when he is washed ashore. After learning about the ongoing events of a world war from him, she leaves her home to try to help end it.
Warner Bros.
"Spider-Man: Homecoming" July 7, 2017 Following the events of "Captain America: Civil War," Peter Parker (Tom Holland) tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York, with fighting crime as his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man.
Sony Pictures
"Thor: Ragnarok" Nov. 3, 2017 Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must confront the gods when Asgard is threatened with Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse.
Marvel Studios
"Justice League" Nov. 17, 2017 Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), the Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) unite to battle the evil Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds).
Warner Bros.
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TheWrap looks ahead at the exciting superhero films soaring into theaters next year
Happy National Superhero Day! With film like "Lego Batman" and "Logan," 2017 has already been a great year for superheroes -- and there are five major super-movies still to come.