Although the role is said to be nothing more than a short cameo, Ben Stiller has decided to re-cast the Owen Wilson part of his new movie Tropic Thunder after the actor had to pull out due to his recent personal problems. His replacement will be Matthew McConaughey, who kinda looks a little like Wilson I guess… just better looking.

The Dreamworks comedy stars Stiller along with Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr, Nick Nolte, Bill Hader and Steve Coogan and is about a group of actors who fly off to a remote island to shoot a big-budget war movie where unfortunately for them they are forced to actually become the soldiers they are portraying.

I’ve always quite liked the idea of the movie personally and I’m glad the actors Stiller went for aren’t from the frat pack. There’s no Vince Vaughn or Will Ferrell, it’s just talented actors and those that can be hilariously funny but in a different and more sophisticated way. If you get what I’m saying.

Tropic Thunder is Stiller’s fourth directorial effort after Reality Bites, The Cable Guy and Zoolander and will be in a screen near you on July 11th 2008.

source - variety