Matthew McConaughey’s return to the big screen was met with rapturous applause as he premiered drama The Rivals Of Amziah King at SXSW on Monday (March 10).
Set within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, McConaughey plays the title role of Amziah King, the leader of a bluegrass-playing band of misfits as well as the owner of a honey making business. When his estranged foster daughter (Angelina LookingGlass) unexpectedly returns, Amziah seeks to renew their connection and bring her into the family business. The bond is threatened, however, when his rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built.
The film also stars Kurt Russell, and while the film is yet to have a release date, its premiere screening at SXSW was followed by a standing ovation from the crowd at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas according to a report from Variety. It’s McConaughey’s first live action film appearance since 2019.
Speaking during the film’s introduction, the Oscar winner said: “I did not know — someone told me it’s been six years since I’d done a film or been on screen,” he said. “Seemed like it’d been quicker than that. I was writing a book and stuff; I thought I was busy!”
The star also talked about the unexpected blending of genres in the film. “It’s also kind of a musical!” he explained. “I didn’t know it was going to be such a musical until I saw it”.
Despite not starring in a film for six years, Matthew McConaughey has been keeping himself busy. As well as writing his memoir, Greenlights, he appeared in a commercial for Uber Eats alongside Charli XCX and Greta Gerwig during this year’s Super Bowl.
Last year, he also said he was considering running for political office, after he seriously considered a run to be Texas governor in 2021.