Returning to the screen after six years away, Matthew McConaughey found himself facing an unexpected challenge on the first day of filming The Rivals of Amziah King — a swollen eye from a bee sting. Despite the minor setback, he eased the tension on set with his trademark humor, jokingly asking if anyone else was nervous.
But behind the laughs, there was truth — he was stepping back into a world he had left behind to focus on personal projects, including writing his memoir Greenlights, voicing animated characters in Sing 2, and dedicating time to his family. "I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page," he reflected on his break from acting.
Despite his break, McConaughey was immediately drawn to Andrew Patterson’s script about a charismatic beekeeper in Oklahoma reconnecting with his foster child. "It’s not where I grew up, but I know these people," he said. "They know the rules they live by and don’t look for approval from the rest of the world."
Patterson had worked on the project for years, even considering a miniseries before shaping it into a film. He always envisioned McConaughey as Amziah King. "It had to be somebody so disarming, who would just do their thing inside this world I was trying to evoke, and who could be comedic in a dramatic movie." Patterson explained.
Finding Joy in Acting Again
With The Rivals of Amziah King premiering at SXSW on March 10, McConaughey rediscovered his passion for acting. "I remembered a couple of things," he said."One, how much I love performing. Two, hey, McConaughey, you’re pretty damn good at this. And three, acting is a vacation — it’s my singular focus." Writing Greenlights also refined his craft. "The memoir forced me to be honest with myself," he said. "It made me trust myself more as an actor. There was less to hide."
Chemistry On and Off Screen
Like True Detective, The Rivals of Amziah King thrives on chemistry, especially between McConaughey and newcomer Angelina LookingGlass. She plays Kateri, his long-lost foster daughter, a role she won after a nationwide search of over 200 Indigenous actors. "Angelina had the most infectious smile, but she can turn it on a dime and stare a hole through you," Patterson raved. McConaughey echoed the praise: "She does what great actors do — she listens and responds honestly. That’s the secret."
With The Rivals of Amziah King, McConaughey isn’t just making a comeback — he’s reaffirming his love for storytelling and embracing roles that resonate with authenticity and depth. With a fresh perspective and renewed passion, McConaughey is proving once again why he remains one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
