Matthew McConaughey first got noticed in a Richard Linklater movie – Dazed & Confused – and now he’s set to reteam with the director for Bernie. The film was already set to reunite Linklater with his School Of Rock collaborator Jack Black, and also has Shirley MacLaine onboard.
THR reports on McConaughey signing up, adding that ‘Bernie is set in the small town of Carthage, Texas, and follows Renaissance man/community leader/mortician Bernie (Black), who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a wealthy but very particular widow (MacLaine). When he kills her, he goes to great lengths to maintain the illusion that she is still alive. McConaughey will play the town’s district attorney, always angling for re-election and suspicious about the widow’s death.’
Also joining the movie is Rip Torn (who must be glad his legal troubles haven’t completely detroyed his career), as Bernie’s defence lawyer. Shooting is due to begin next month.