Summary

• Matthew McConaughey rejected a role in the MCU years ago.
• McConaughey is a fan of the Hulk due to a live-action project.
• The Maestro Hulk variant could be played by McConaughey in Avengers: Secret Wars, offering him a potential villain role.

Matthew McConaughey might have rejected a role in a major Marvel Cinematic Universe movie years ago; however, there is a Marvel character that he would love to play, and the actor could do it in Avengers: Secret Wars. Several Hollywood stars have joined the MCU over the years, with the cinematic franchise's popularity leading to more talent being interested in a role in one of Marvel's upcoming movies and series with each passing year. Despite the MCU's recent woes, the franchise continues to lure in top talent, and McConaughey could be one of the next to join.

Years ago, the actor had the chance to join the MCU but chose not to. McConaughey passed on a role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. While the character Marvel approached him for was never officially confirmed, reports about his casting revealed that he was up for the film's main villain, which means Ego, who was played by Kurt Russell, was likely the character in question. At the time, McConaughey rejected the role due to thinking it was a form of stunt casting. However, there is one Marvel role that would have McConaughey saying yes to the MCU.

Matthew McConaughey Approached Marvel To Play The Hulk

The Actor Loves A Live-Action Hulk Project

While McConaughey thought the offered Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 role was not right for him, the actor previously revealed that he would love to play the Hulk. In fact, McConaughey has tried to get cast as Bruce Banner, to no success. Speaking to the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2020, McConaughey revealed that not only was he a fan of Lou Ferrigno's The Incredible Hulk series, which featured David Banner instead of Bruce Banner, but he had previously approached Marvel to play the Hulk. Sadly, Marvel did not think McConaughey was right for the part.

According to the actor, Marvel's answer was "no, thank you." Given McConaughey's fame and acting skills, it is surprising that the actor would be passed over for such a role as Bruce Banner. What McConaughey did not specify is for what movie he tried to get cast as the Hulk in. The MCU's version of the character was first played by Edward Norton in Hulk's only solo film under Marvel Studios: 2008's The Incredible Hulk. In 2012's The Avengers, the role was recast, with Mark Ruffalo taking over and playing the Hulk to this day.

McConaughey Could Play Maestro In Avengers: Secret Wars

The Character Is An Exciting Hulk Variant

Ruffalo's story as the Hulk in the MCU is far from over, with the character discovering that he has a son in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which means he should have at least a few more good years in the MCU. That said, with the Multiverse Saga still in play, there are a few ways in which both Ruffalo and McConaughey could play the Hulk at the same time. While Ruffalo gives life to the main Bruce Banner, he could come face to face with McConaughey as the Maestro Hulk variant in Avengers: Secret Wars.

Maestro is a version of Hulk that became the leader of one of Battleworld's regions, Dystopia, in the Marvel Comics event that inspires 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. That version of the character, like Ruffalo's Smart Hulk, possesses a mix of Hulk's strength and Bruce Banner's brains. However, Maestro is far from a good guy, using his might to rule. Maestro would be the perfect villain to mirror Hulk's MCU journey, and his connection in the comics to the source material of Avengers: Secret Wars makes the character's appearance a real possibility.

Deadpool & Wolverine Makes Matthew McConaughey's Hulk Variant Chances Better Than Ever

The Multiverse Saga Event Has Many Rumored Cameos

If Avengers: Secret Wars does not feature McConaughey as Hulk, or even if it does, there is another MCU movie that is perfect to use Maestro and the actor. Deadpool & Wolverine is going to be one of the biggest events in the Multiverse Saga. The movie's trailers have teased some exciting elements that will be in play for the MCU film, and among them is a reference to the Pym Falls location from Old Man Logan. That comic book story featured the Maestro version of the Hulk.

Deadpool & Wolverine's main setting in the trailers is the Void. Cassandra Nova and her gang appear to be in a wasteland region, and that would be perfect for Maestro to make an appearance. With Deadpool variants confirmed for the MCU movie and Wolverine variants teased, more versions of known heroes could also appear. Maestro would offer Marvel the chance to finally have Wolverine and the Hulk fight in live-action, and Matthew McConaughey has the skills to make that meeting an epic moment in MCU history.

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during phase six of Marvel's Cinematic Universe. The film will see several heroes from the prior phases return and battle against a cosmic threat to rival Thanos, and borrows elements of the Marvel Comics event of the same name.

  Release Date

  May 7, 2027

  Writers

  Michael Waldron

  Franchise(s)

  Marvel Cinematic Universe

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  Deadpool & Wolverine

  A sequel to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first film in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Ryan Reynolds is returning to play the character, alongside Hugh Jackman, reprising his Wolverine role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. 

  Release Date

  July 26, 2024

  Writers

  Rhett Reese , Paul Wernick

  Franchise(s)

  Deadpool , Marvel Cinematic Universe