As one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men, Matthew McConaughey has starred in countless memorable films over the course of his acclaimed career. But for the Oscar-winning actor, a few of his most iconic roles have come in the realm of romantic comedies – and he has fond memories of working with some of his most famous co-stars.
In a recent interview with People magazine, McConaughey looked back on his experience filming two of his most beloved rom-coms: “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” with Kate Hudson, and “The Wedding Planner” with Jennifer Lopez.
Starting with “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” McConaughey reminisced about the instant chemistry he shared with Hudson during the audition process.
“Those casting, meeting couches, especially for rom-coms are — you want to see the chemistry between the two leads. You want to see how the jive is,” he explained. “We’re not reading through the script, we’re not reading lines.”
According to McConaughey, he and Hudson “immediately were comfortable with each other” from the moment they first met on the Paramount lot.
“We challenged each other, we busted each other’s chops, and we laughed a lot,” he said. “And there was a bit of rock and roll exchange that [we thought], ‘Oh, this could be some heavyweight fun.’ And I think that’s why I was cast and that’s why, to whatever extent, it worked.”
In the film, McConaughey plays Benjamin Barry, a man who bets his friends that he can make a woman (played by Hudson) fall in love with him in just 10 days. Meanwhile, Hudson’s character, Andie Anderson, is a journalist writing an article about how to lose a guy in that same timeframe.
The movie went on to become a massive hit, cementing its status as a beloved romantic comedy classic. It also led to a reunion between McConaughey and Hudson in the 2008 film “Fool’s Gold.”
While the two looked back on their time making both movies fondly, Hudson did share one humorous moment from the “Fool’s Gold” set that McConaughey wasn’t as enthusiastic about. In an appearance on “The goop Podcast” in 2020, Hudson revealed that during a kissing scene, McConaughey “just had snot all over his face.”
“Well, there’s a lot of salt water and snot and all kinds of stuff that are in between those, and so you’re doing that, and you’re like, ‘OK, I think that worked, but did that look any good?'” McConaughey later told Yahoo about the challenges of filming intimate scenes. “[They’re] like, no, we better do another take. So there were always, like, elements that made it harder… We never got to have our nice romantic kiss, yeah.”
Despite the occasional on-set mishap, McConaughey clearly cherishes the experience of working with Hudson and bringing their undeniable chemistry to life on screen.
The actor also had nothing but praise for another one of his famous romantic comedy co-stars – Jennifer Lopez. In “The Wedding Planner,” McConaughey played Steve Edison, a man who falls for Lopez’s character, Mary Fiore, only to discover she’s been hired to plan his wedding to someone else.
Reflecting on their time working together, McConaughey marveled at Lopez’s immense talents and versatility as a performer.
“Look, I don’t know what a five-threat is, but it’s more than a four-threat, a quad-threat… Whatever a five-threat is is what she is,” McConaughey said. “I’ve never seen someone be able to choreograph something so cleanly and clearly and actually hit the coordination of a scene.”
He went on to describe Lopez as “a worker” who “knows what she wants to do, and she does what she needs to do to pull [it] off.”
“I really appreciate that,” McConaughey added.
The chemistry and camaraderie that McConaughey shared with both Hudson and Lopez on set is evident in the enduring popularity of their respective romantic comedies. “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “The Wedding Planner” have become beloved classics, cherished by audiences for their charming storylines, witty banter, and the undeniable spark between the leading actors.
For McConaughey, reflecting on these iconic roles is a chance to not only reminisce about his time in the rom-com spotlight, but to also celebrate the exceptional talents of the co-stars who helped make these films such resounding successes.
Whether it’s the playful back-and-forth with Hudson or the awestruck admiration for Lopez’s multifaceted abilities, McConaughey’s fond memories of these romantic comedy collaborations underscore the lasting impact these films have had on his career and the hearts of moviegoers.
As he continues to take on diverse and challenging roles, it’s clear that McConaughey will always look back on his time in the rom-com realm as a cherished chapter in his illustrious filmography. The energy, the laughter, and the undeniable spark he shared with his co-stars are the kinds of experiences that leave an indelible mark – both on the screen and in the hearts of the audience.