As far as choices go, weighing whether to appear in a Marvel Studios film or in an adaptation of a beloved Stephen King novel are options a lot of Hollywood actors would like to have. For Matthew McConaughey, he found himself in this very predicament when he had to choose between co-starring with Idris Elba in The Dark Tower or playing Ego the Living Planet in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. For the Academy Award winner, it seems the choice came down to which role offered him more room to exercise his acting chops.
"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 many fans are pleased with Russell taking on the role, one's imagination absolutely runs wild thinking about the possibility of watching a movie screen oozing with Pratt and McConaughey's overflowing charisma. Though this particular role didn't work out, with Marvel, there's always another opportunity further down the line...
ABOUT GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2
The sequel to 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy was announced at SDCC 2014, a month before the first film's theatrical release. James Gunn returns to direct and write the screenplay. Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Baby Groot), Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon), Michael Rooker (Yondu), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Sean Gunn (Kraglin), Glenn Close (Irani Rael - Nova Corps Supreme Commander). Joining them are Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Elizabeth Debicki (Ayesha), Chris Sullivan (Taserface), and Kurt Russell (Ego). John C. Reilly (Nova Corpsman Rhomann Dey) and Benico del Toro (The Collector) will not be returning for the sequel.
The film will explore the Guardians attempting to navigate their new found fame after defeating Ronan the Accusser in the first installment. While living up their namesake, the team becomes tangled up in a scheme involving Star-Lord's biological father, The Ravagers, and the mysterious Ayesha - High Priestess and the leader of the Sovereign people.
The film will arrive in North American theaters on North America on May 5, 2017.
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