Latest news with #TheRivalsofAmziahKing
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Matthew McConaughey opens up about finally returning to the big screen: ‘Remembered that acting is a vacation for me'
The wait is over. The man who once redefined the rom-com, then snagged an Oscar in a career reinvention few saw coming, has finally returned to the screen. After six years away from the spotlight, Matthew McConaughey is back, and he's bringing the slow-burning intensity that made him a Hollywood icon with The Rivals of Amziah King, which released this March. It's been a long road for the 55-year-old Texan, who stepped back from acting in 2016 following a remarkable run. During the first day on set of his new film, he wasn't afraid to show a little vulnerability. 'Is anybody else nervous except for me?' he asked the cast and crew. As the room erupted in laughter, McConaughey smiled and added, 'Alright, alright, alright, just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one.' As per Variety, the veteran actor felt like his boots had been in the closet for a bit too long. So why did McConaughey vanish from acting at the height of his career? 'I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page,' he says, reflecting on the years he spent out of the limelight. In 2020, he released Greenlights, his memoir that was equal parts autobiography, philosophical meditation, and wild road trip. He also voiced animated characters in Sing (2016) and Sing 2 (2021), but largely kept a low profile, focusing on family and self-discovery. McConaughey's return wasn't planned. It was inspired. When he came across the screenplay for The Rivals of Amziah King, written and directed by Andrew Patterson, something clicked. 'It's not where I grew up, but I know of these kind of people and these places and these kind of characters that live in the middle of the country,' McConaughey says. 'This group of people in southeast Oklahoma where the film takes place know the Constitution, they know the rules they are living by, and they're not looking for or getting approval from the rest of the world. I understand them.' Set in southeastern Oklahoma, the film centres on a reclusive beekeeper and his relationship with his foster son — an unlikely tale with grit. And being back on set reignited something in him. 'I remembered a couple of things,' he says. 'One, how much I truly enjoy performing. Two, I remembered, hey, McConaughey, you're pretty damn good at this. And three, I remembered that acting is a vacation for me, and what I mean by vacation is that when I'm performing, it's my singular focus. When I walk out the door in the morning, my wife says, 'go kick some ass. I got the kiddos. We're good.' That's vacation. Because I'm not multitasking. I'm not compartmentalising. I'm fully focused on finding the truth of my character.' And for audiences who've missed that signature mix of swagger and soul, The Rivals of Amziah King is more than just a comeback — it's a homecoming.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Demi Moore to Johnny Depp: Hollywood icons return to the big screen
The second innings is often the most telling — and in Hollywood, it's proving to be just as thrilling. From major motion pictures to independent gems, some of the biggest names in showbiz are stepping back into the spotlight. Whether it's for love of the craft, a powerful script, or a long-awaited career pivot, actors like Matthew McConaughey and Johnny Depp are returning with performances that promise to redefine their legacies. Their resurgence comes at a time when audiences are embracing nostalgia and fresh storytelling in equal measure. Interestingly, this trend isn't isolated, actors Pamela Anderson, Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz have also marked their return with buzzy roles, signaling a season of reinvention for some of Hollywood's most iconic stars. Here's a look at the comebacks that are getting everyone talking. Matthew McConaughey is back in action with The Rivals of Amziah King, his first live-action film role since 2019's The Gentlemen. It premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. The Oscar-winner had consciously stepped back to focus on his memoir Greenlights and spend time with his family. Reflecting on what drew him back to acting, he said, 'I remembered a couple of things. One, how much I truly enjoy performing. Two, I remembered, hey, McConaughey, you're pretty damn good at this. And three, I remembered that acting is a vacation for me, and what I mean by vacation is that when I'm performing, it's my singular focus.' His return is being seen as a heartfelt nod to the joy of storytelling, rooted in self-discovery. After a long hiatus following a storm of personal controversies and sexual misconduct allegations, Armie Hammer is preparing for a comeback with the gritty Western Frontier Crucible. Last seen in Death on the Nile, the actor's return is marked by a cautious buzz. The film's producer Dallas Sonnier expressed enthusiasm, saying, 'I've built a career producing masculine indie movies... And, now, I'm pumped to work with Armie Hammer on Frontier Crucible.' Whether the audience is ready to embrace him again remains to be seen, but the film marks a significant chapter in his attempt at career redemption. Also Read: Angelina Jolie 'fuming' over Pamela Anderson after Oscar snub amid claims of smear campaign by Brad Pitt: Report Tom Hiddleston, best known for his role as Loki, is stepping into a very different narrative with The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan and based on Stephen King's novella from If It Bleeds. His last major film role was in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, making this a notable return to the big screen. The film, a reverse-chronological drama, traces the life of Chuck Krantz — rumoured to be played by Hiddleston — from death to childhood. With a summer 2025 release, the film promises emotional depth and psychological intrigue, and Hiddleston's involvement has only heightened expectations. Also Read: Tom Hiddleston returns to the silver screen with a new Stephen King movie but there's a catch; read Following years of public and legal drama with ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp is stepping back into acting with Day Drinker, a film that's already turning heads thanks to his dramatic transformation in the first look. Set aboard a private yacht, the story follows a bartender who meets an enigmatic guest, and marks Depp's fourth collaboration with Penélope Cruz. Last seen in Minamata (2020), Depp's return to Hollywood is poised to reignite conversations around his career and his future as a leading man. Pamela Anderson is earning rave reviews with her nuanced portrayal in The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola. Her role as a veteran Las Vegas showgirl grappling with sudden career uncertainty resonated deeply with audiences when the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. Having last appeared in Alone At Night (2022), Anderson's return has been met with widespread praise, cementing her status as more than just a pop culture icon. The film earned her Golden Globe and SAG nominations, though the Oscars snubbed her. She's set to continue the momentum with her role in The Naked Gun later this year. Demi Moore's comeback in The Substance has been one of the year's most talked-about moments. The Oscar-nominated body-horror satire sees her play a fading star desperate for a shortcut to youth—a metaphor-rich role that brought her some of the best reviews of her career. After a relatively quiet period since The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent in 2022, Moore's return to form has reignited interest in her as a leading actress capable of headlining complex, genre-defying stories. Angelina Jolie's return to the screen came with the biographical drama Maria, in which she portrays opera legend Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, the film marks a quieter, more restrained comeback for Jolie, whose last few years have been focused more on humanitarian work and directing. With Maria, she steps back into the spotlight with a performance lauded for its depth and emotional gravitas — reminding audiences of the dramatic weight she brings to every frame. The film, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last year, is now streaming on Netflix. After nearly a decade-long retirement, Cameron Diaz is ready to laugh (and kick) her way back into the limelight. She stars alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action, a comedy-action flick set to release soon. Diaz had famously stepped away from acting in 2014 to focus on her family and personal ventures. Her decision to return came after persistent fan requests and the right script finally landing on her desk. Her comeback has sparked nostalgic excitement among fans and signals a fun, full-circle moment for the actress.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Rivals of Amziah King,' a movie shot in Birmingham starring Matthew McConaughey, premieres at SXSW
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A movie that an Academy Award-winning actor spent the better part of a summer making two years ago has now made its big-screen debut at a major film festival. 'The Rivals of Amziah King,' which was filmed in Birmingham and the surrounding area in 2023, premiered at the South by Southwest film festival Monday, where it reportedly received a standing ovation, according to Deadline. The movie, starring Matthew McConaughey as the titular character, was written and directed by Andrew Patterson. 'Charismatic local beekeeper Amziah King oversees a beloved honey operation in the American southwest,' according to a description of the film posted by SXSW. 'When his foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah sets out to bring her into the family business despite facing ruthless competitors with other plans.' Despite the film taking place in Oklahoma, central Alabama played a large role in setting the look of the film. Locals reported seeing McConaughey and the cast filming scenes at places like J&J Grocery and Deli in Bessemer and Pell City Steak House. McConaughey, who won an Academy Award for his performance as a bigoted cowboy battling AIDS in 'Dallas Buyers Club,' reportedly stayed in Mountain Brook during production. 'We're of course delighted to have him here,' Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said at the time. 'I think Mountain Brook is a very welcoming city. It's a very unusual city. It's got the three villages, all very unique, and it's got great homes. He's staying in one great home. We're just delighted to have him and his family here.' As filming continued, many people posted their own stories of seeing McConaughey and the crew filming in different places, some even managing to get their photo taken with the actor. 'I'm so excited that he is here in our town. Like, that's crazy,' Pell City resident Lexie Womble told CBS 42. 'I love Matthew McConaughey. I want him to see me. I want him to stand out, so he can say, 'hey.'' Since its premiere, many critics have praised McConaughey's performance in 'The Rivals of Amziah King' but have been more measured about the film as a whole. 'There's a nagging dissonance to the Rivals of Amziah King, which espouses a particular idealized vision of the US – racial harmony, community, unassuming dignity, rooted values – ramshackle bolted to a undercooked and bizarrely paced crime plot of dubious rationalization,' critic Adrian Horton wrote in her review for The Guardian. 'No spoilers, but for a film that so earnestly eulogizes a communal and humane way of life, it boasts a strangely murky sense of ethics, treating life and death with the same off-kilter jauntiness. The longer the film meanders toward its predestined conclusion of triumph of the underdog, the more jarring the tone and the less coherent the picture. And the more it misses McConaughey, who still possesses the mesmeric gravity of a movie star but disappears for over half the movie.' Hollywood Reporter critic Lovia Gyarkye, however, was more optimistic about the film, despite what she considered its perceived shortcomings. 'There's an admirable audacity to the film, which premiered at SXSW; you can feel Patterson, who garnered critical acclaim for his slender and accomplished debut 'The Vast of Night,' exploring new ways to tell a familiar story,' Gyarkye wrote. 'But a blinkered narrative coupled with misty-eyed aesthetic choices yield a strange and scattershot result.' On the film has an 8.8/10 ranking based on 42 ratings, as of Wednesday. No date has been set for a wide release of the film. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Matthew McConaughey's blunt advice to teenage son as he begins acting career
Matthew McConaughey kept it real with his teenage son, who is following in his movie star father's footsteps. Levi McConaughey, 16, shared the acting advice he received from the "Dallas Buyers Club" star as he embarks on his own Hollywood career. "I mean, he gave me a lot of advice, and he was able to mentor me in a couple different ways," Levi explained to People magazine during his first red carpet interview. "But I'd say the main thing for acting, and pardon my French, is no bulls--- in your bones and own what you're doing and make a choice regardless if that ends up being the right one or the wrong one – commit to it and know what you're saying." Levi joined McConaughey and his mom, Camila Alves McConaughey, on the SXSW Film Festival red carpet Monday. The trio was there to celebrate the premiere of McConaughey's new film, "The Rivals of Amziah King." However, Levi has his own career to focus on now. McConaughey also shared some of the advice he passed along to Levi. "It's one, you've got a natural ability," the "Interstellar" star told People magazine. "Two, how do we get specific about knowing where you're coming from and where you're going? Best acting for my money is when an actor's caught in action, doing something. Meaning, where were you before, and where are you going after, if the camera is rolling the whole time. So you come into the scene, so the scene doesn't feel like a fresh start and a fresh ending." "The other thing is, take risks," he added. "Don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself – I did it plenty of times, and it's a lot easier to go big and come back down to reality than it is to come in under and push it to more energy later. It's a lot easier to go big, make a fool of yourself, get embarrassed, and then bring it down to reality than it is to start with low energy and go, hey, we need more." Levi landed a supporting role alongside Chris Pratt in "Way of the Warrior Kid," according to Deadline. Linda Cardellini and Jude Hill will also lead the cast. Camila and McConaughey first began dating in 2006, when the actor was working on films such as "Failure to Launch" and "We are Marshall" following the success of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." When McConaughey and Camila married in 2012, the family moved from California to Texas. The couple share three children: Levi, Vida and Livingston. Camila previously spoke to Fox News Digital about how living in Texas aligns more with the values she shares with McConaughey. "It really embodies our belief system, especially the ones I grew up with, like going to church every Sunday, saying 'yes ma'am' or 'no, sir.' I grew up saying those things coming from a family of farmers," she said. "For me, being from Brazil and then coming to Texas, I discovered a lot of similarities in terms of what families practice here, especially going to church on Sundays, and being very into the outdoors. It's been a great transition."
Khaleej Times
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Matthew McConaughey on first new movie in six years
Actor Matthew McConaughey opened up about his decision to return to live-action movies for the first time in six years. He shared this a day before his latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King, debuted at SXSW in Austin, Texas, reported People. The actor shared that his first performance as more than a voice actor in any movie since 2019's The Gentlemen helped him recall his love for acting. "I remembered a couple of things," McConaughey said. "One, how much I truly enjoy performing. Two, I remembered, 'Hey, McConaughey, you're pretty damn good at this.' And three, I remembered that acting is a vacation for me. And what I mean by vacation is that when I'm performing, it's my singular focus." McConaughey admitted he felt some nerves getting back to moviemaking when he first arrived on The Rivals of Amziah King 's set. The actor said that he raised a hand and asked: "Is anybody else nervous except for me?" during his first day of shooting, and when cast and crew members all laughed along, he added, "Alright, alright, alright, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one." The actor revealed that he purposefully wanted to spend more time with his family during his years-long hiatus from acting; he also wrote a memoir titled Greenlights in 2021 and most recently appeared in front of the camera in Zach Bryan's 2024 music video for Nine Ball. "I needed to write my own story, direct my own story on the page," he added of his years away from live-action film roles. According to a SXSW description for McConaughey's new movie, he stars in the movie as a "charismatic and musically gifted" honey farmer in rural Oklahoma who attempts to reconnect with an estranged foster daughter as his rivals in the honey business look to destroy his own. McConaughey costars in the film with Kurt Russell, Jake Horowitz, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague and Cole Sprouse. The Rivals of Amziah King premieres at SXSW on Monday, March 10.
