'The Dark Tower' news: Matthew McConaughey explains why he chose the dark fantasy film over a Marvel blockbuster

It is no secret that the film inspired by the events of Stephen King's novel, "The Dark Tower," has gone a couple of setbacks before landing its current summer 2017 release date. Despite the numerous hurdles, Matthew McConaughey stands by his initial decision to stick with the project even if that means that he gave up on the opportunity to board one of those Marvel juggernaut films.

The Academy Award-winning actor discusses his thoughts about taking on a darker and grittier role in the science fantasy film when he was also offered the role of Peter Quill's (Chris Pratt) father in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." As it turns out, McConaughey was keener in being a part of a starting franchise instead of something that has already been established. Intriguingly so given that arguably more would lean toward taking low-risk projects instead of kicking things off from scratch and building a following from there.

"I like Guardians of the Galaxy, but what I saw was 'It's successful, and now we've got room to make a colorful part for another big-name actor.' I'd feel like an amendment," McConaughey explained in an interview with Playboy picked up by Collider.

In "The Dark Tower," the 47-year-old takes on the role of Walter Padick, also known as the Man in Black, opposite Idris Elba's gunslinger, Roland Deschain.

"The Dark Tower script was well written, I like the director [Nikolaj Arcel] and his take on it, and I can be the creator, the author of the Man in Black — a.k.a. the Devil — in my version of this Stephen King novel. We've done the first one. It's a fantastic thriller that takes place in another realm, an alternate universe, but it's very much grounded. For instance, the gunslinger's weapon isn't a lightsaber or something; it's a pistol. I enjoyed approaching my character as if I were the Devil having a good time, getting turned on by exposing human hypocrisies wherever he finds them," he added.

Things have turn out well for "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" too with McConaughey's passed-up role eventually landing on the lap of another extremely talented actor, Kurt Russell.

Interestingly, both films are set to roll out this coming summer movie blockbuster season with "The Dark Tower" debuting on July 28 while "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" coming in earlier on May 5.