Matthew McConaughey wanted to take on film roles that "scare" him.
The actor, who has been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a real-life AIDS victim in 'Dallas Buyers Club', made a conscious decision not to take a part in another romantic comedy, after appearing in 'How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days' and 'Failure to Launch'.
He told Time Out London magazine: "I'm not going to carry on doing the same thing over and over. I was reading romantic comedies. And I liked them. But I wanted to do something that scares me a little bit.
"The first move was saying 'no' to scripts. That was six months of 'no' and then a year of nothing. And something happened. I gained anonymity and suddenly it became a good idea for William Friedkin [director] to call about 'Killer Joe' or Steven Soderbergh about 'Magic Mike'."
The 44-year-old star admits it was difficult not working for so long but he found comfort in his family, spending time with his wife Camila and their children, 13-month-old Livingston, Vida, four, and Levi, five.
When asked if he got the jitters not acting, he replied: "A little bit. But I hunkered down with my wife. And I had a son come into the world. When I got anxious, I could be like: shepherding my newborn son is a great thing to be doing.
"If it hadn't been for my son, I'd have been more antsy for sure. I look at all this as switching gear: same book, different chapter. I could have done some of these roles five or ten years ago. I didn't. I had a nice run there. I enjoyed those romcoms. So they didn't get critical acclaim. That's not my concern. Now I've started doing this and I'm enjoying it. People are going, 'We like him.' "

One Direction are set to launch their own café chain.
The 'Kiss You' hitmakers will reportedly provide a meeting place for crazed fans by setting up a string of coffee shops filled with band memorabilia, and the bid to expand their empire could see the first branch opening in Shibuya, Japan as early as this month.
Insiders told the Daily Star newspaper: "The cafés will be very child friendly for younger fans and they're sure to be stocked up with lots of 1D merchandise. It could become one of the group's biggest money-spinners if it takes off. Everything linked to One Direction equates to success at the moment."
Its thought the lucrative new business venture is highly favoured by mentor Simon Cowell, who hopes to open a second branch in London, before opening several more in New York, Paris, Berlin and Sydney.
The source added: "This could become the lads' version of Planet Hollywood. That chain was backed by stars such as Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger when it launched in 1991."
The news come after reports that the boys - Harry Styles, 20, Niall Horan, 20, Louis Tomlinson, 22, Liam Payne, 20, and Zayn Malik, 21 - are predicted to earn £611 million this year following their 'Where We Are' stadium tour which kicks off on April 25, in Columbia.

Jared Leto's 'Dallas Buyers Club' role was partly inspired by his grandma.
The 30 Seconds to Mars frontman portrays transgendered AIDS victim Rayon in the award-winning movie and he says his character's habit of ending her sentences with "Darlin'" was influenced by his grandmother's way of speaking.
He said: "I waxed my whole body and my eyebrows I lost a lot of weight, I changed my voice - the dialect and register - it was a pretty intense journey.
"[Saying 'Darlin'' at the end of sentences], my grandmother used to do that, she was from the South and there was certainly a bit of grandma in there."
The 42-year-old actor shed a huge amount of weight for the role, but admits once filming ended he found it impossible to tuck into the huge feast he had been dreaming of.
Speaking on the Kiss FM Breakfast Takeaway, he said: "When you starve yourself for that long, you cant even eat a tablespoon because you get full. You think you're going to have this huge meal and then you're stuffed after a couple of bites and can't enjoy it,everything is weird, it takes a while to get back to normal.
"And you start gorging when you do stretch your stomach a bit. It's hard to stop eating."

David Beckham is making an "exciting" announcement next week.
The former soccer star - who has children Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 11, Cruz, eight, and Harper, two, with wife Victoria - is widely expected to confirm he is launching a Major League Soccer (MLS) team and though he wouldn't directly confirm the reports, he admitted he is looking forward to what the future holds.
Asked what is next for him, he told US TV show 'Extra': "I've got an exciting announcement coming up next week which I'm really excited about.
"A little hint? It involves the MLS and my involvement in the game in America, it involves my ownership of a franchise, something I'm excited about."
The 38-year-old star also ruled out coaching a team, insisting it isn't something that has ever appealed to him.
He said: "Would I go into coaching? No. I mean, I love coaching kids, but coaching a professional team has never really interested me but to be an owner would be kind of incredible."
David was given an option to acquire an MLS franchise at a discounted rate of $25 million when he joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and is likely to announce the formation of a team in Miami next Tuesday (11.02.14).
MLS have issued a statement saying: "Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber and David Beckham will make a significant announcement impacting the Miami community. They will be joined by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez."
If funding for a stadium can be agreed, David's team is likely to join the MLS in 2017.

Carly Rae Jepsen felt "emotional" when she tried on Cinderella's glass slippers for the first time.
The 'Call Me Maybe' hitmaker is taking the lead role in the rags-to-riches fairytale on New York's Broadway and was thrilled the iconic footwear fitted her the first time she tried the shoes on.
Discussing wearing the shoes for the first time, she told MTV News: "It was surprisingly emotional. I think that it's just such a classic tale and the shoes are so much a focal point to the whole thing and they were like, 'What size are you?' And I was just really happy that it actually fit. I was like it would be a bad omen if my first try, the size is off, but it did fit."
And the 28-year-old star - who makes her debut in the production tonight (04.02.14) - also admitted she is worried she won't be able to keep her emotions in check during the scene where her character goes to the ball in a horse-drawn carriage.
She said: "Every single time this scene happens, I feel like balling like a baby. It's so emotional, and she's flying through the sky in the scene to get to the palace to meet Prince Charming. It's every girl's fantasy."
Despite her excitement, Carly admits she feels "intimidated" by the huge production, which is making its debut in the famous theatre district.
She said: "It's a huge learning curve for me, but it's intimidating in a lot of ways as well. It's 24 hours and I sleep, I have dreams about Cinderella. Luckily, I have good people around me."

Katie Price says Kieran Hayler is getting too old for her.
The 35-year-old model-turned-businesswoman claims her 26-year-old husband a former stripper - is fast becoming a middle-aged man thanks to his chicken-keeping and motoring hobbies, and joked she might have to trade him in for a younger model.
Speaking to Now magazine, Katie admitted: "He's very romantic. When we got together he was stripping four times a week and going out.
"Now he likes to stay at home and he's got chickens. He's even bought himself a 4 by 4 ... He's getting too old for me! The other day he said, 'Oh my God, next year you're going to say I'm too old for you and trade me in for a younger model', and I said, 'Yeah you're right'. "
The busty brunette - who has children Harvey, 11, Junior, eight, and Princess, six, from previous relationships and five-month-old Jett with Kieran - has no plans to stop expanding her brood and would consider adoption in future.
Katie said: "When the doctor says I can't have any more, I'll stop. And then find a surrogate mum and adopt. I don't think you should plan, so whenever."
While Kieran has given up his part-time stripping job, the reality star doesn't want him to quit altogether because she enjoys his special skills.
Katie laughed: "He keeps changing his mind, but I'd love him to carry on. He's a plasterer by trade. It's brilliant. And he's got every uniform upstairs, too - policeman, fireman..."

Pharrell Williams will perform an intimate gig in London.
The 'Happy' singer says he is looking forward to getting "up close and personal" with his fans when he performs his biggest hits for a small audience before treating one lucky fan to a special surprise.
The venue is yet to be announced, with dates for the gig expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, but Pharrell 40, says he excited at the prospect of performing.
He said: "My fans are so important to me, so I'm excited to get up close and personal and thank them for all their support with a priceless experience."
The producer and singer is the latest star set to perform intimate gigs as part of Mastercard's Priceless campaign, which saw Laura Mvula perform at London's Kensington Roof Gardens last month, while Kylie Minogue is set to host a special gig in March.
The news comes after Pharrell was announced as a performer at the BRIT Awards 2014 which kicks off on February 19.
He will join Katy Perry and the Arctic Monkeys to take to the stage at London's O2 arena for the annual ceremony.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican during her official visit to Italy.
The 87-year-old monarch - who is the head of the Church of England - and Prince Philip are set to visit Rome this April where they will enjoy a private lunch with Italian president Giorgio Napolitano before meeting the leader of the Catholic Church.
A statement issued by Buckingham Palace says: "The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Rome on Thursday 3 April.
"Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are visiting at the invitation of the president of Italy, President Napolitano.
"The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit the presidential palace where they will attend a private lunch hosted by the president.
"Following the private lunch Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will have an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican."
Although the queen hasn't met Francis since he was elected in March 2013 she's made three previous visits to the Vatican in 1961, 1980 and 2000, where she's greeted Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II.
The trip was originally planned for last year but Elizabeth fell ill and was forced to drop out.

Lee Ryan wants to introduce Jasmine Waltz to his mum.
The Blue singer came under fire for seducing both socialite Jasmine and glamour model Casey Batchelor in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house, but insists he has fallen hard for the US beauty and is so serious about her that he wants his family to meet her.
Quizzed whether Jasmine had met his mother yet, Lee said: "Not yet. And I emphasise the 'yet'. My mum absolutely loves her, she said, 'You need to sort that one out!' I'm trying! Only time will tell."
The womanising star insists his dalliance with Casey behind her love rival's back was a mistake and he sees her more as a "friend", while he developed true feelings for Jasmine.
Lee confessed: "There was a moment we shared that f***ed me up so bad. I really had feelings for her. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I didn't want to. It was torment to me, like, why is this happening to me? I didn't want to meet anyone I liked in there."
The 'All Rise' singer says he was more attracted to Jasmine's big personality and strong beliefs than her stunning looks.
He told the new issue of Britain's OK! magazine: "We had some really deep conversations. I saw her as this beautiful, strong character - why wouldn't I want someone in my life who's strong and amazing and able to cope with so much?
"When the s**t hits the fan she will dig her heels in and she will stand there with you no matter what. That attracts me more than her looks."
However, Lee realises he has a lot of apologising to do and is keen to keep their relationship on a platonic level until she forgives him.
He added: "Right now we've got to figure some stuff out. That's totally understandable and I'm prepared to let that process take place."

David Walliams saved Simon Cowell from choking on a mint.
The 54-year-old media mogul caused panic when he began coughing and spluttering after the hard candy became lodged in his throat during the 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions in Birmingham last weekend, forcing fellow judge David to rescue him by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre.
An onlooker told The Sun newspaper: "In between watching auditions, Simon was enjoying a mint - when all of a sudden it must have got lodged in his throat. As soon as David noticed Simon was in trouble he leapt up from his chair."
It's thought Amanda Holden tried to relieve the mint by patting him on the back before David performed the manoeuvre - which involves grabbing the person from behind and applying force underneath the ribcage in a bid to expel any object trapped in the throat - much to Simon's displeasure.
The source added: "[David] put his all into giving [Simon] the Heimlich manoeuvre, but seemed to enjoy it a little too much. Simon on the other hand looked uneasy - although he was grateful to David for helping him out."
All the judges, Simon, David, Amanda and Alicia Dixon are set to return to television screens when 'Britain's Got Talent' airs on ITV later this spring.

Vicky Pattison was sentenced for assault yesterday (03.02.14) following a shoe attack in a nightclub.
The 'Geordie Shore' star was given a community order at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to two counts of assault, which stem from a brawl in Florita's Bar in Newcastle last July.
Vicky flung her high stilettos in the direction of model Hannah Kelso, 18, in the belief she had thrown ice at her. The shoe hit security guard Victoria Burns, whose lip was cut, and then Hannah, who required four stitches following the attack.
While the 24-year-old reality TV star has avoided jail, she has been ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, in addition to paying £4,000 in compensation to Hannah, £750 to Victoria, and £1,500 in court costs.
Presiding judge Brian Forster QC accepted that she felt genuine remorse over her actions.
'Geordie Shore' producer MTV has remained coy on how it will respond to Vicky's violent assault.
A representative told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "We are aware of the outcome of this court case. 'Geordie Shore' is not currently in production and no decision has been taken on commissioning further series.
"We will decide on casting if or when a new series is confirmed."

Taylor Swift will never pose naked for a photo shoot.
The '22' singer has no intention of stripping off for a magazine or in her videos like many of her pop rivals, such as Miley Cyrus and Rihanna, because she doesn't think it's necessary for her to "push the envelope" by revealing her body.
Speaking in the March issue of America's Glamour magazine, Taylor said: "I find it relatively easy to keep my clothes on because I don't really feel like taking them off. It's not an urge I have. For me 'risky' is revealing what really happened in my life through music. Risky is writing confessional songs and telling the true story about a person with enough details so everyone knows who that person is. That's putting myself out there, maybe even more than taking my shirt off."
The 23-year-old musician also revealed she likes to have the upper hand when it comes to dating and will often "freeze-out" guys from her life who she believes are playing with her emotions.
Taylor - whose ex-boyfriends include One Direction hunk Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, Taylor Lautner and John Mayer - explained: "[What's freeze-out?] You don't respond to any of his texts or calls until he does something desperate [like] shows up. Or he calls and leaves a voicemail. Something that makes it very clear to you that he's interested."
Taylor - who is currently in the UK on her 'RED' tour - can quickly tell if a guy is a game player and if she suspects a man of playing her then she will stop dating him straight away.
She said: "I think everyone should approach relationships from the perspective of playing it straight and giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Until he establishes that this is a game. And if it's a game, you need to win. The best thing to do is just walk away from the table."