After his powerful debut as a stoner in Richard Linklater's impossibly hip 'Dazed and Confused' (1993) the world seemed to be at the feet of Matthew McConaughey. Followed by strong performances in 'Contact', 'Amistad' and 'EDtv' solidified his standing as Hollywood's leading man-in-waiting but something happened along the way and his career never seemed to live up to it's early potential.

Matthew McConaughey in Dolce&Gabbana

That is all changing as after some years in the acting wilderness Mathew McConaghey is the talk of Tinseltown once again as he reminds everyone of just how good an actor he really is. Here are the 5 reasons for the renaissance McConaughey.

Retired the romcoms

For a while it looks like Mathew McConaughey was caught in romcom casting hell. Not only where the films well below his standard of talent, they were neither romantic nor funny. 'How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days', 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' and 'Failure to Launch' were particular low points, as was a cameo as himself in 'Sex and the City'. But that romcom episode seems consigned to the past as he is choosing the serious scripts that end up in his in-tray.

Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves in Dolce&Gabbana

Camila

He met his wife in 2006 and they have two children together, however after tying the knot in July of this year, we've seen a ressurgence in the actors career fortunes. He's a happier more settled guy and that's not only reflected in the quality of his acting, but in the choices he's making too.

Martin Scorsesse is currerntly directing 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Working with the right people

Steven Soderberghis one of Hollywoods most bankable directors. You may not be a fan of all his films but you have to take your hat off to his work rate. McConaughey's hugely entertaining self-parody performance as a male stripper in the summer hit 'Magic Mike' was a film that could of gone either way. Fortunately McConaughey gave it 100% and absolutely nailed it. Making for asurprisingly enjoyable film that had female fans and critics swooning. He teamed up with William Friedkin in what could be the famed director's best film in 27 years. Playing a dispassonate stone face killer McConaughey chews up screentime in this excellent film. Currently filming 'The Wolf of Wall Street' with Martin Scorsese. The film is based on the book of the same name by Jordan Belfort. Belfort was a high flying financial fraudster and white collar criminal who spent 22 month in prison in relation to charges for stock market manipulation and running a boiler room. The film of course stars Leonardo di Caprio in the lading role.

'Magic Mike'

Getting physical

McConaughey has long been known for his physicality. Regularly competing in triathlons in California it's often we see images of a wetsuit clad McConaughey burningup the kilometres. He is a walking beefcake in 'Magic Mike' where he worked hard to get the body of a male stripper, but for 'The Wolf of Wall Street' McConaughey has shed 30 pounds (14 kg) to play the role of an AIDS patient turned drug dealer.

McConaughey did some dramatic weight loss for his role in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

Getting the right roles

No longer content to be type cast as the charming southerner, McConaughey has some very interesting roles lined up for 2013. In addition to 'The Wolf of Wall Street' mentioned above is 'The Dallas Buyers Club' in pre production and part financed by McConaughey himself. Told to "go home and die" after developing full-blown AIDS in 1986, electrician Ron Woodroof (Mc Conaughey) delves into the world of underground pharmacies that supply HIV drugs not approved for use in the U.S. in an attempt to prolong his life, and, ultimately, the lives of thousands of other people. Other projects curreently in development are 'American Troubadours', 'The Grackle', and 'Thunder Run'.