“It will never happen”: $152M Sandra Bullock Movie Director Laughed at Matthew McConaughey for Demanding Lead Role
Matthew McConaughey known for starring in romantic comedies got his career’s breakthrough after playing the role of a lawyer in the movie A Time To Kill. But the movie, which also starred Sandra Bullock, he wasn’t considered the first option for the leading part. McConaughey had to approach the movie’s director, Joel Schumacher, to express his willingness to take on the lead role.
When McConaughey requested Schumacher for the role, the director didn’t respond to him seriously, but somehow the actor managed to land the leading role.
Joel Schumacher never thought Matthew McConaughey can be a lead actor
Before Matthew McConaughey was signed for the lead role in the film A Time To Kill, he was supposed to play a side role. He was signed for the role of a Klansman in the movie. When Schumacher and McConaughey were in a conversation about who should play the lead role, the 53-year-old actor didn’t hold back and expressed his desire to work as a lead in the movie.
When the veteran director heard McConaughey’s response to his question about who should play the lead role, he burst into a laugh. In a past interview, the True Detective actor recalled his conversation with Schumacher over the lead role. McConaughey said,
“I think I should. I straight-faced him. He laughed and said, ‘That’s a great idea but it will never happen. I think you’d be great and it won’t happen.’ But I left feeling good that I’d at least gotten the Klan part.”
Soon after this conversation, The Gentlemen actor appeared for the screen test for the lead role of the movie. The casting was handled by the author of the book, John Grisham. He allowed McConaughey to screen test for the role of Jake. Still, Schumacher explained to the actor that the lead role was out of his reach.
Sandra Bullock was impressed by Matthew McConaughey’s grounded personality
Before McConaughey was signed for the lead role, the makers of the film wanted to cast actors like Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson. As per reports, Costner was demanding too much money for the role hence the makers didn’t go for him.
The director of the movie and Grisham asked Sandra Bullock about how she felt about casting McConaughey and she said, “If it’s a strong, honest actor, it’s my privilege to be opposite him.” Many other great things impressed Bullock about McConaughey. She liked his grounded personality and work ethic, which she thought was a unique quality at that time. In a past interview, while talking about her co-star McConaughey, Bullock said,
“He’s a character actor in a leading-man’s body, and he’s going to change the face of what we demand from male actors. We’ll demand for them to push themselves more. He’s not just another beautiful face.”
The actor from Dazed and Confused experienced fame after the movie A Time To Kill. The crowd praised his performance in the film. As soon as his talent was recognized by this film, he went on and signed to several major films. As per reports, the makers are coming back with a sequel of A Time To Kill.
Source: Cheat Sheet
