Matthew McConaughey on Returning to Acting After a Six-Year Hiatus With ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’ and Why His Season of ‘True Detective’ Is the Best

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On the initial filming day for “The Rivals of Amziah King,” despite having his right eye inflamed due to a bee sting, Matthew McConaughey sauntered onto the set and inquired, “Is everyone else as anxious as I am, or is it just me?

The group on set erupted in shared laughter. “Well, well, well,” the actor remarked, wanting to confirm he wasn’t alone in his thoughts. His speech had a unique blend of Southern charm, reminiscent of both a preacher and a laid-back surfer.

Personally, McConaughey wasn’t kidding about his apprehension. He openly acknowledged the creakiness he felt making a comeback after a six-year break, which he utilized to pen his memoir “Greenlights,” lend his voice for movies like “Sing 2,” and invest quality time with his family while keeping a low profile. In his own words, “I needed to write and direct my personal narrative on the page” during this period away from the camera’s glare.

However, upon discovering Andrew Patterson’s script, a tale centered around the captivating proprietor of an Oklahoma honey farm and his bond with his foster child, he found himself captivated by its uniqueness and powerful sense of location. The role seemed like a comfortable, well-worn pair of jeans.

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Upon reading Andrew Patterson’s script, which revolved around the charismatic owner of an Oklahoma honey operation and his foster child relationship, he was immediately attracted to its originality and strong sense of place. The role felt like a favorite, broken-in pair of jeans.

McConaughey explains that he may not have grown up there, but he’s familiar with the people, places, and personalities found in rural America. The movie is set among folks in southeast Oklahoma who are deeply rooted in their understanding of the Constitution and the laws they abide by, and they don’t seek approval from others. I can relate to them, he adds.

For many years, Patterson dedicated himself to the project, at one point expanding it into a seven-episode mini-series. However, he later decided to scale it back down. Throughout this process, he believed that McConaughey’s charismatic and unconstrained personality was perfect for Amziah, a character who leads a group of beekeepers and musicians, much like a caravan of followers resembles a group of apostles.

He mentioned that he was looking for an actor with a laid-back personality who could easily spend hours with them. This individual needed to be charismatic enough to blend seamlessly into the world he was creating, capable of delivering humor even in a dramatic setting. Finding such actors is quite rare.

In a phone conversation, McConaughey captivates me with his charm, often veering off topic in a way that feels spontaneous yet purposeful. He’ll meander away from a question, only to gracefully circle back, leaving me more intrigued by the detour than the destination. McConaughey values dialogue and isn’t afraid to engage, probing my thoughts on a specific scene or the rural setting of the movie. “Ah, there you go,” he says approvingly when I share that I appreciate films like “The Rivals of Amziah King” because they transport us to unique worlds distinct from our everyday life.

He remarks, ‘For someone from New York, you seem quite detached from that realm.’ This might make you think, ‘Wow, I hadn’t realized such places and people even existed,’ which, without a doubt, is the most wonderful aspect of cinema.

In an interesting turn, McConaughey shares that working on “The Rivals of Amziah King,” premiering at SXSW on March 10th, served as a means to reignite his passion for his chosen career.

He shares, “I recalled a few points. First, I love acting deeply. Second, I realized, Matthew, you’re quite skilled at this craft. Lastly, I remembered that acting is my escape, and by ‘escape,’ I mean it’s where I give all my attention. When I leave for work in the morning, my wife says, ‘go crush it. The kids are fine.’ That’s like taking a break because I’m not juggling tasks; I’m completely immersed in discovering the truth of my character.

He believes that composing the book, where he meticulously sifted through diaries to create a unique blend of poetry, prayers, and memories, simultaneously honed his acting skills too.

According to McConaughey, the memoir was incredibly truthful and pushed him to be truthful with himself. It clarified ideas he’d been pondering for three decades. And it helped him understand that, essentially, he is Matthew. Acknowledging this and shaking on it, well done. That boosted my confidence in myself because there was less I needed to hide about myself. After all, I had revealed it. So, that made it simpler for me to be truthful as an actor.

His honesty also applies to his opinions about the evolution of “True Detective,” the intricate anthology series that initiated Matthew McConaughey’s career resurgence when it premiered on HBO in 2014. Initially captivating audiences with the enigma of the Yellow King, it has continued for another three seasons, some more successful than others, with the most recent one, titled “True Detective: North Country,” airing in 2024 and featuring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.

McConaughey shares his thoughts, “I observed, I experienced it indeed. There were many aspects about it that I admired,” he says hesitantly. “My most cherished season – and I believe I can say this impartially – is Season 1.” He’s gaining momentum now, sounding delighted by his own confession. “Surprisingly enough, I was part of that one, so I thought it was simply remarkable, remarkable television and a fantastic series. I tuned in every week like everyone else, on Sunday nights, and that was a highlight for me. I had the pleasure to relax and enjoy it. I enjoyed the discussions at the water cooler on Monday mornings. Even though I contributed to it, I somehow forgot what would transpire next. It was one of the greatest TV experiences.

In “The Rivals of Amziah King,” Matthew McConaughey, much like in “True Detective” where he worked alongside Woody Harrelson, finds himself sharing the limelight with a new co-star, Angelina LookingGlass. This film is a two-hander, relying on the actors’ natural chemistry. LookingGlass portrays Kateri, a long-lost foster daughter of Amziah’s who re-enters his family business. She was selected for this role after an extensive nationwide search, with the production team testing over 200 indigenous actors to find the perfect fit.

Angelina’s smile was incredibly contagious, yet she could switch to a piercing gaze in an instant, leaving someone speechless,” Patterson exclaims. “As soon as she started reading alongside Matthew, we knew the role was hers.

McConaughey repeatedly expressed his admiration for LookingGlass, praising her talents numerous times throughout our conversation.

McConaughey explains that what many actors often overlook when learning to act is simply listening and responding truthfully to a situation. He emphasizes, ‘That’s it. That’s the secret.’ An effective actor doesn’t want to be seen as acting; they strive to live the role genuinely.

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2025-03-09 19:49