While Magic Mike’s third instalment has been confirmed, the matter of Matthew McConaughey’s return after not being part of Magic Mike XXL has yet to be confirmed.
Overview
Magic Mike as a franchise started in 2012, with the release of the first film starring Channing Tatum in the lead role.
The first film hinged its success on Tatum revisiting his days as a male exotic dancer, along with the list of leading actors that made part of his group of male exotic dancers.
One of the most memorable scenes from the first film was Matthew McConaughey as Dallas’ strip tease sequence. Therefore, it was a surprise for fans of the franchise when McConaughey did not return for the second instalment.
Moreover, there is still no word if McConaughey will return for the third instalment.
What is Magic Mike?
Magic Mike as a franchise is a series of films about Magic Mike, played by Channing Tatum, and the different stages in his professional life as an exotic dancer.
The first film was released in 2012 and was premised on, “A male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money.”
The second instalment, Magic Mike XXL, released in 2015 was premised on, “Three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, he and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one last blow-out performance.”
Now, there is set to be a third instalment titled Magic Mike’s Last Dance.
McConaughey’s much-anticipated return to Magic Mike
In November 2021, it was confirmed that there is set to be a third instalment in the Magic Mike franchise. The film, which is set to be an HBO Max original production, will mark the return of 2012’s Magic Mike director, David Soderbergh at the helm.
Moreover, the title role of Magic Mike is set to be reprised by Channing Tatum for the upcoming film. While the first and second instalment marked the return of most of the Kings of Tampa title characters, one character was missing.
Matthew McConaughey did not return as Dallas for the second instalment of Magic Mike. This is despite having one of the most iconic scenes in the first film, and fans fawning over his Western accent drawl.
In light of the confirmation of a third instalment, fans are anticipating his return as it seems that this will mark the last of the franchise releases.
However, it seems that HBO Max and lead, Tatum, are refusing to confirm or deny if McConaughey will return.
Channing Tatum on McConaughey’s possible return to Magic Mike
In November 2021, Channing Tatum shared a post on Instagram revealing his copy of the Magic Mike’s Last Dance script, which confirmed that the film is already in pre-production.
Therefore, Tatum would know if Matthew McConaughey will be returning for the third instalment of the franchise.
However, when asked about the matter, Tatum chose his words carefully by stating, “I didn’t know if Matthew would want to do it, he loves what he did in the first movie so much. He was like, ‘I don’t want to touch it.’”
While his statement suggests that McConaughey may not return, it also teases that he could.
What to expect from Magic Mike’s Last Dance
Details on what to expect from the third instalment of the Magic Mike franchise have not been shared. However, Channing Tatum, who is currently on the promotional campaign for his current leading and self-directed film, Dog, has teased some of his desires for this film.
Speaking to Jimmy Kimmel, Tatum explained, “I wanted to make the Super Bowl of stripper movies” with the “best dancers in the world going off.” Adding, “Secondly, I really wanted to have a really strong female central character.”
Thandiwe Newton set to join Magic Mike’s Last Dance?
In light of Channing Tatum explaining his desires to have a more central female lead with the third instalment of the film, as female characters previously played more supporting roles, it is believed that the producers of the film are in negotiations with Thandiwe Newton’s team to have the acclaimed actress join the world of the story.
However, her casting, like the rest of the casting for the film, has yet to be confirmed or revealed. As a result, a projected date of release has also not been shared by HBO Max.
Conclusion
Magic Mike as a franchise placed the world of male exotic dancers into the mainstream. Of course, fans had watched to see lead actor, Channing Tatum revisit his days as a professional male exotic dancer. Along with the physique of the other supporting male leading characters.
Therefore, it served as a disappointment when one of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, Matthew McConaughey did return in 2015 for Magic Mike XXL as Dallas.
In light of the upcoming third instalment, fans hope Dallas will return to the Kings of Tampa, although it has not been confirmed yet.