Matthew McConaughey is one of few big-name actors to have not joined the ranks of the MCU. Some have fan-casted the actor as a potential MCU Norman Osborn, though nothing official has come out surrounding the actor's involvement with the Spider-Man franchise.
Some rumors suggested that the Dallas Buyers Club actor was up for the role of Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, though he supposedly turned down the role.
Matthew McConaughey was believed to be in the running to play Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, though he instead voiced interest in portraying Bruce Banner's Hulk instead. McConaughey was a fan of The Incredible Hulk series starring Lou Ferrigno growing up, but never got the chance to play the green-colored superhero.
The actor has talked about his experience with Marvel Studios, though the outcome may not have been in McConaughey's favor...
NEWS
As reported by Slash Film, Matthew McConaughey spoke to Joshua Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
After being asked about his interest in playing Bruce, or David, Banner, McConaughey said that he talked with Marvel Studios, but they were not interested in the idea:
Horowitz: You never got your chance to play Bruce Banner, or David Banner in the show, did you?
McConaughey: No, I didn’t.
Horowitz: Jerks.
McConaughey: Wanted it.
Horowitz: Really?
McConaughey: Yep.
Horowitz: Did you throw your hat in the ring? Did you say, “I’m game, if you guys are?”
McConaughey: Yep.
Horowitz: No kidding?
McConaughey: They said, “No, thank you.”
Horowitz: Can’t get ’em all, I guess.
WHAT THIS MEANS
If Matthew McConaughey had replaced Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in The Avengers, audiences would have gotten a much different interpretation of the Hulk. Whereas Mark Ruffalo brought a humble quietude to his Bruce Banner, McConaughey could have been a much smoother-talking incarnation of the character.
The timeline of when the actor met with Marvel Studios is not stated, but it is likely that talks would have taken place following Norton's exit from the MCU. With the actor previously voicing interest in the character, and now revealing that he still has not forgiven Marvel Studios for turning down, it is clear that Matthew McConaughey has his mind set on wanting to take a shot at the Hulk at some point.
With the prospects of the multiverse now on the horizon, there is a possibility that McConaughey could still get his chance. Alternate universes open up infinite possibilities for the characters of the MCU, so perhaps one of these realities has Bruce Banner uttering an iconic "alright, alright, alright."
