Matthew McConaughey made some bold choices throughout his career, like taking on the part in Dallas Buyers Club and completely transforming for the role.However, on the flip side, the actor has turned down roles, despite massive offers being thrown his way. That was the case for a rom-com, which offered McConaughey $14.5 million to play the role. Trying to get out of the genre, the actor rejected it, and it changed his career, as he was finally labeled as a serious actor.

Not all of his risks have worked out. McConaughey decided to work on The Dark Tower, having high hopes that the Stephen King novel would turn into a franchise on-screen.That wasn’t the case, as the 2017 film failed in terms of critical reviews and in addition, McConaughey turned down a major role instead.

Matthew McConaughey’s The Dark Tower Got Crushed In The Reviews

With a budget of $66 million, big things were expected from the Stephen King adaption. Numbers at the box office weren’t what the film was anticipating, at just over $113 million. That wasn’t the worst part of it all. The reviews were kind to the film, as the likes of Rotten Tomatoes slapped the film a 15% approval rating.

Matthew McConaughey wasn’t anticipating this type of response prior to the film’s 2017 release. Instead, the actor was excited for the world to see the film, given that it was so different compared to anything he had ever done.

“This is unlike anything I’ve ever played. I’ve never done this,” he said. “It’s my first jump into this multiple worlds, this shape shifting — this kind of movie.”

McConaughey continued with Fandango, “One thing that’s original is it is the land of the ordinary with the extraordinary,” he said. “That blend of the fantastic with the grounded reality, it’s a little different.”

Despite the excitement, the film fell flat, and he turned down a sequel that made a fortune at the box office.

Matthew McConaughey Turned Down The Guardians Of The Galaxy Sequel In Favor Of The Dark Tower

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was the opposite of The Dark Tower. The sequel was praised by various platforms, including Rotten Tomatoes, giving the film an 85% approval rating. At the box office, the film broke its prior record, bringing in over $863 million, put it over $1 billion with the first film.

Despite the film’s success, Matthew didn’t show any regret, especially from a creative standpoint.

He discussed the decision alongside Collider, “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.”

McConaughey continued on, discussing why he decided on The Dark Tower instead.

“The Dark Tower script was well written, I like the director [Nikolaj Arcel] and his take on it. 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. 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.”

McConaughey’s choice didn’t turn out as the actor anticipated and in truth, he had an even bigger vision for the film.

Matthew McConaughey Wanted The Dark Tower To Turn Into A Franchise Film

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The ultimate goal for McConaughey was to create a film that could turn into a franchise. That was the main reason he decided against Guardians of the Galaxy, given that the film was already proven. The actor wanted to start a new project from ground up.

“Others have passed by my desk — others that were franchises that were off the ground [already],” he said. “[I was being] offered roles in sequels, but for me I felt like I was looking for the right one.”

“With The Dark Tower] I can get in on the ground floor; I can have ownership and authorship and introduce a possible franchise. [For me], that’s more attractive than being on something that’s already successful.”

McConaughey had the right mindset but ultimately, it didn’t turn out the way the actor had envisioned.