Yup, you heard it right! That’s the oscar-winner and one of Texas’ popular homegrown celebrities, Matthew McConaughey voicing a canine with all gloriousness in the new ‘Hank the Cowdog‘ podcast. The actor serves as an executive producer for the podcast, based on the series of books written by renowned author John R. Erickson. According to Hank the Cowdog’s official website, “Hank is a self-declared ‘Head of Ranch Security,’ who finds himself smack dab in the middle of a host of tangled mysteries that span the universe of Texas Panhandle cattle ranch that he calls home.” The five-episode podcast series premiered on 14 September and has been voiced by actors like Kirsten Dunst, Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Plemons, and Scoot McNairy.
In an interview with an online website, McConaughey revealed that he approached Hank’s role with the same commitment, devotion, and intent that he brings to all of his projects. He added that his hard work had paid off, as he garnered newfound respect from his kids. The dad of three joked about how his kids put more ice cubes in his tea now!
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The actor teamed up with director Jeff Nichols for the podcast series. Nichols, apart from directing, also serves as the writer and producer for the podcast. The series marks a new collaboration between the two artists, who have previously worked together in the remarkably thoughtful and discreet movie, Mud.
Read on to find out more insights from the Matthew McConaughey and Jeff Nichols interview!
How Did The Podcast Come To Life?
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Nichols reveals that it all began when his wife brought the books home from work for their son. Nichols, who wasn’t aware of the book series at that time, began to read them to his son. He soon began to write the podcast with Matthew’s voice and affectations in his mind. After mustering all the courage, he asked Matthew to read the book and gave him a copy of the same. That’s when the idea of the podcast was put together.
What Made Matthew McConaughey Say Yes?
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A busy schedule and a pandemic couldn’t stop Matthew from working on this project. The actor revealed that he had always been looking for ways to work with Jeff. Matthew added that he and Jeff talk regularly about their fatherhood experiences and about being the best versions of themselves. The actor added that the book spoke about many values that he and Jeff agree on, and that’s what made him decide upon the project.
Speaking about values, Matthew revealed that the book reflects the importance of family, duty, accountability, responsibility, and courage. He talked about how these values are not force-fed but told in a fun storytelling way. The actor added that the podcast was a treat to work on since he could introduce his children to his fun and educational project, as they are not ready for the ones he has worked on before.
Which Of Matthew’s Roles Is The Most Reflective Of Who He Is As A Dad?
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Matthew believes that his role in Mud reflects the most of who he is as a dad. He added that the film is an aristocrat at heart and intends to set an example for younger people. The actor states that Mud is about mentors; it has good examples and some bad ones, and its consequences. He added that in the movie, Mud was a role model for those younger boys. He carried magic in his words and his deeds. But he also brought some of the harsh realities down in the young minds.
Image: officiallymcconaughey/Instagram
The actor ended the interview by saying that both he and Jeff agree that Mud is a character that represents them as a father. Each of the artists described themselves as being thoughtful and conscientious when it comes to being a dad.
Are you running out of ways to keep your little one entertained? Don’t worry! Hank the Cowdog is coming to your rescue, and he is available on all major platforms.
Do you like Matthew McConaughey? What is your favorite McConaughey movie? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
