Matthew McConaughey claims Marvel turned him down for Hulk role

Actor is big fan of original hero series

Matthew McConaughey has revealed he asked Marvel if he could play the Hulk – and the studio said: “No, thank you.”

During an interview with Josh Horowitz for his Happy Sad Confused podcast, McConaughey discussed The Incredible Hulk, the original TV show starring Lou Ferrigno that he is a huge fan of.

Horowitz asked McConaughey if he ever wanted to play Bruce Banner, to which the actor replied: “Wanted it.”

After confirming that he really did throw his hat in the ring for the role, McConaughey said Marvel’s response was: “No, thank you.”

Ultimately, he lost out on the role to Mark Ruffalo, who has portrayed the character since 2012's Avengers Assemble.  

McConaughey, known for his roles in Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street, was on the podcast to promote his new memoir, Greenlights: Raucous Stories and Outlaw Wisdom.

In the memoir, McConaughey reveals he was sexually assaulted at the age of 18.

Other topics discussed in the book include the actor’s 1999 arrest as well as his father’s death while having sex in 1992.