Matthew McConaughey on Why He Passed on Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey has opened up on why he passed on a role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to pursue the Stephen King adaptation The Dark Tower instead. In a mostly safe-for-work interview with Playboy, McConaughey said he enjoyed the first Guardians of the Galaxy but said his character in the sequel might "feel like an amendment"--and he didn't like that.

"I like Guardians of the Galaxy, but 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," he explained.

According to Collider, McConaughey was in discussions to play Star-Lord's father in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel, a part that ultimately went to Kurt Russell.

The Dark Tower was appealing for a number of reasons, McConaughey said, beginning with the script and the director, Nikolaj Arcel. The actor also said he was excited to play the Man in Black.

"The Dark Tower script was well written, I like the director and his take on it, and I can be the creator, the author of the Man in Black--AKA the Devil--in my version of this Stephen King novel. It's a fantastic thriller that takes place in another realm, an alternate universe, but it's very much grounded. I enjoyed approaching my character as if I were the Devil having a good time, getting turned on by exposing human hypocrisies wherever he finds them."

The Dark Tower also stars Idris Elba as gunslinger Roland Deschain. After a delay, it's now scheduled to open this summer. In addition to the movie, a Dark Tower TV show is also in the works.

Also in the Playboy interview, McConaughey briefly discussed his audition for James Cameron's Titanic. "It was one of those auditions where I left and thought I had it. I really enjoyed it. Kate Winslet really enjoyed it. That was a huge opportunity. But Cameron liked Leonardo DiCaprio better," he said.

Read the full interview here.