Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey was recently announced to be playing the lead in "The Beach Bum". Here's why the "Dallas Buyers Club" actor was chosen for the role and other production news about the upcoming movie.

"The Beach Bum" latest updates

The movie "The Beach Bum" will be helmed and written by Harmony Korine ("Spring Breakers"). Rocket Science will handle international sales starting at the European Film Market in Berlin.

"The Beach Bum" centers on the uproarious misadventures of Moondog, a riotous but lovable rogue who likes to live life large. According to Thorsten Schumacher, CEO and founder of Rocket Science, McConaughey's character is pure charisma. Like a force of nature and an unbending maverick with a lust for life and everything it throws at him.

He was chosen to lead "The Beach Bum", as the actor was no stranger to comedy. Although the talented McConaughey's film credits include Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar", Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street", and Jeff Nichols' "Mud".

Le Grisbi Productions' John Lesher, Anonymous Content's Steve Golin and Iconoclast's Charles-Marie Anthonioz, Mourad Belkeddar, and Nicolas Lhermitte will produce "The Beach Bum" (via Deadline). Creative Artists Agency arranged financing for the film and will represent its North American distribution rights.

"The Beach Bum" and other projects handled by Rocket Science

According to Variety, Rocket Science's sales schedule also includes David Lowery's "The Old Man and the Gun", starring Robert Redford and Casey Affleck; Dominic Cooke's film adaption "On Chesil Beach", starring Saoirse Ronan; and Nick Hornby adaptation "Juliet, Naked" for Judd Apatow.

In Berlin, Rocket Science will also manage international rights to Kristin Scott Thomas' directorial debut, "The Sea Change", which is based on Elizabeth Jane Howard's novel of the same name. Scott Thomas will also star in the romantic drama, with Mark Strong in talks to join the cast.

Tags Matthew McConaughey