Jean-Marc Vallee wasn't convinced Matthew McConaughey could portray AIDS victim in new film
Director Jean-Marc Vallee almost laughed at the idea of casting Matthew Mcconaughey as an AIDS victim in his new film Dallas Buyers Club because he couldn't imagine the movie hunk making the drastic transformation needed for the role.
The French-Canadian filmmaker's production team suggested the Magic Mike star for the gritty movie's lead, and Vallee admits he nearly rejected the actor simply based on his reputation as one of the sexiest men in Hollywood - but he's glad he didn't.
McConaughey shed more than 40 pounds (18.1 kilograms) to portray
real-life cowboy Ron Woodruff, who smuggled life-saving drugs
across the Mexican border after being diagnosed with AIDS during
the 1980s, and his dedication and focus on the job blew Vallee
away.
He tells Details magazine, "I said, 'Really? Matthew for this?
Beautiful, muscled Matthew for this?' But I've got to tell you,
I've been witnessing the most spectacular, amazing, touching acting
performance of my humble career so far. He had to create a new way
of walking and being and not having this confidence of being
handsome and seductive. I think people will see something different
here, really a new Matthew McConaughey. I think he wanted something
new in his life, and you can see that in the choices he's made in
the last two or three years."
McConaughey's co-star Jennifer Garner, who previously worked with
him in 2009's Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, was also impressed by the
growth in his acting and insists he was a whole new man on the set
of the gritty drama.
She says, "He is who he is, no matter what the project - friendly,
funny and focused. But he was on another plane altogether making
this film. I'm not sure if Matthew has changed from fatherhood,
marriage, or just regular growing up - but he was more vulnerable
and also more scary this time around."