Matthew McConaughey's son Levi, 16, set to make acting debut alongside Chris Patt in new action flick
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the McConaughey household as Matthew McConaughey's son, Levi, 16, is reportedly stepping into the spotlight much like his famous dad.
On September 4, Deadline confirmed that Levi will make his acting debut in the coming-of-age movie titled 'Way of the Warrior Kid', taking on a supporting role alongside Hollywood heavyweight Chris Pratt, 45.
Matthew McConaughey visits son Levi on movie set
The movie, based on Jocko Willink’s book, marks a major milestone for Levi McConaughey, even though the details of his character remain under wraps.
The 'Dallas Buyers Club' actor, 54, was seen visiting his son on set on August 30, offering a supportive presence as Levi embarked on this exciting new journey.
Sporting a red flannel, navy T-shirt, and blue jeans for his role, Levi was the picture of a budding star ready to carve out his own path, according to People.
Meanwhile, off-camera, McConaughey was every bit the proud dad, dressed in a blue button-down shirt, brown trucker hat, sunglasses, and a headset casually draped around his neck as he chatted with his son.
Matthew McConaughey shares Levi with his wife, Camila Alves McConaughey, along with their daughter Vida, 14, and son Livingston, 11. The couple’s eldest seems poised to carry on the family’s artistic legacy, something McConaughey has always taken to heart.
The movie 'Way of The Warrior Kid', starring Pratt and directed by McG (Joseph McGinty Nichol), will begin production this summer, reported Deadline.
Based on Jocko Willink's novel, the story follows a bullied, self-doubting boy whose Navy SEAL uncle helps him find confidence and strength through SEAL training.
UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation will introduce the Will Staples-scripted adaptation at the Cannes Market.
Matthew McConaughey on how parenting transformed his storytelling and acting
In an April 2024 interview for People magazine's 50th anniversary special issue, Matthew McConaughey reflected on how becoming a parent has profoundly impacted his craft, stating, "Having children I know has made me a better artist and has made me a better actor, because kids see things for the first time all the time. Their questions are innocent."
He added, "I become a better storyteller because I have kids, meaning, I come home from work on something like True Detective, and my 4-year-old kid goes, 'What'd you do today?' I cannot tell them what the show's really about, it's not age-appropriate. So I have to go into a parable for them."
Reportedly, this shift in perspective not only influenced McConaughey’s approach to storytelling but also underscored the importance of creating content that resonates with a younger audience.
"And so I had to become a better storyteller to tell my kids about a good guy, a bad guy, and a monster in this, to tell them the parable of the story I was in," he explained. It's a skill that likely comes in handy when McConaughey, a father of three, finds himself in conversations that require a bit of creative finesse, turning complex narratives into digestible tales for his curious children.
Reflecting on his evolving career, McConaughey noted that as his children grew, he realized most of his work wasn't necessarily suitable for them.
"As you become a parent, what do you end up watching? You end up watching mostly what your kids are watching, and so I was like, 'Man, I've never been a part of an animated film,' and I like doing voice work," he shared, hinting at his interest in diversifying his projects to include more family-friendly fare.
