MCU: 20 actors who were almost in cast in Marvel movies

Was Matthew McConaughey offered the role of Ego?

Here we have another actor that could have been cast in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. When Marvel Studios was looking to cast new faces for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, they wanted a recognized, A-list actor to take on the role of Ego, Star-Lord’s father. It turns out that Matthew McConaughey was one of their top choices for this role. He ended up turning down the part, however.

He told Playboy that the part felt like it was just the studio trying to meet a quota. He said, “What I saw was: ‘It’s successful, and now we’ve got room to make a colorful part for another big-name actor. I’d feel like an amendment.” It sounds like McConaughey doesn’t like the idea of not being a central character in the franchise. The role of Ego the Living Planet ended up going to Kurt Russell instead.

It is kind of strange to think of Matthew McConaughey in this fatherly role as he doesn’t look much older than Chris Pratt and is, in fact, less than ten years older than him. McConaughey hasn’t been cast in any other MCU movies, and maybe he is holding out for a more exciting, prominent role.