Matthew McConaughey Reveals the One Role He Still Wishes He Took
Matthew McConaughey opens up about the one film role he regrets passing on, reflecting on career-defining choices and missed opportunities in Hollywood.
Regret is a tough pill to swallow, especially in Hollywood, where one decision can change everything. For Matthew McConaughey, there’s just a single film he truly wishes he hadn’t turned down—a role that could have shifted the course of his career. As an Oscar winner and one of the most versatile actors of his generation, McConaughey has had his share of hits and misses, but only one missed opportunity still lingers in his mind.
Career Crossroads and Missed Chances
Throughout his journey, McConaughey has made choices that shaped his path, for better or worse. Early on, he became known for a string of romantic comedies, often playing the charming lead with his signature laid-back style. But there was a time when he was eager to take on more challenging roles, even reaching out to play the Hulk in a Marvel film—an offer that never materialized. In recent years, he’s taken a more selective approach, appearing in just a handful of major live-action projects over the past decade, focusing on roles that truly speak to him.
The Role That Got Away
Every actor has that one part they can’t quite let go of, and for McConaughey, it ’s Bud Exley in Curtis Hanson’s acclaimed crime drama, LA Confidential. The role, which ultimately went to Guy Pearce, became a breakout moment and helped launch Pearce’s career. Back in 1997, McConaughey was riding high, landing roles in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad and Robert Zemeckis’ Contact. Both films offered the chance to work with legendary directors, but neither made a big splash at the box office.
Meanwhile, LA Confidential became a critical and commercial triumph, earning ten Oscar nominations and taking home two. McConaughey also auditioned for James Cameron ’s Titanic that same year, but the part slipped through his fingers. Titanic would go on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, sweeping up awards and making history.
Looking Back Without Regret
Reflecting on his choices, McConaughey shared with Howard Stern,
“That was the closest one. I saw the movie, and I was like, ‘I would have really liked to be a part of that.’”
He explained that after his breakout in A Time to Kill, he was suddenly flooded with scripts, forcing him to turn down many offers. On paper, working with Spielberg and Zemeckis seemed like the safer bet compared to Hanson, who was known for solid but not spectacular films at the time.
Even so, McConaughey doesn’t dwell on what might have been. He’s not the type to look back and wish he could change the past, but he admits that starring in LA Confidential could have sent his career—and Guy Pearce’s—in a completely different direction.