Matthew McConaughey Talks 6-Year Hiatus From Movies, What He Learned

As Matthew McConaughey, I’m back in the gaming world after a six-year break from leading roles! It’s been quite a journey since I made my return with Black Bear Pictures’ crime thriller flick, The Rivals of Amziah King, which just debuted at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.

The film titled “The Rivals of Amziah King” is helmed by director Andrew Patterson (known for “The Vast of Night”). In addition to Matthew McConaughey, this movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, Owen Teague, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, and others. Known for its intense atmosphere and focus on character development, the plot unfolds against the distinctive setting of rural Oklahoma. At present, there’s no confirmed theatrical release date for this film.

What did Matthew McConaughey say about his acting hiatus?

In a recent interview, McConaughey shared that he experienced some nerves while filming The Rivals of Amziah King, as it marked his return to a movie set following his role in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 action comedy, The Gentlemen, where he was the main star.

McConaughey explains that a six-year break from acting was significant for him because it allowed him to pen his memoir titled “Greenlights” and devote more quality time to his loved ones.

“I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page,” he said.

As I delved into the script for The Rivals of Amziah King, I found myself drawn back into the world of acting. The tale resonated deeply with me, stirring up memories of why I first fell in love with this craft. Working on this project has been a journey that reminded me of my passion and rekindled my enthusiasm for storytelling through performance.

He shared that he recalled a few points. First, he realized how much he genuinely loves acting. Second, he was reminded of his talent, ‘McConaughey, you’re quite good at this.’ Third, he discovered that acting serves as an escape for him – a break from the everyday. When he leaves home in the morning, his wife says, ‘Go conquer. I got the kids covered.’ This, to him, is a vacation because during performance, he isn’t juggling tasks or dividing attention. Instead, he’s completely absorbed in uncovering the truth of his character.

Apart from this, the actor who starred in Interstellar additionally admitted that penning his 2020 memoir significantly boosted his acting abilities. “The memoir was incredibly truthful and compelled me to be truthful with myself,” McConaughey stated. “It brought clarity to thoughts you’ve had for 35 years. It helped me understand, ‘Ah, that’s essentially who I am, Matthew.’ Let’s acknowledge that and shake hands. Well done. That boosted my trust in myself, since there was less to possibly conceal about myself. I had disclosed it. Therefore, being truthful as an actor became easier for me.

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2025-03-11 19:10