Matthew McConaughey recently shared insights about his discussion on nepotism with his son, Levi McConaughey, who appears alongside him in the new movie The Lost Bus. The actor revealed in an October 12 interview on Sunday Today With Willie Geist that Levi, 17, earned the role of his on-screen son through his own abilities, rather than family connections.
McConaughey emphasized that neither he nor his wife, Camila Alves, 42, want Levi to feel entitled because of their family background, underscoring their approach to nurturing independence in their children’s careers.
How Levi Got Cast Without Nepotism Influences
Matthew recounted sending Levi’s audition tape to the casting director for The Lost Bus, who believed it was strong enough to be forwarded to the movie’s director, Paul Greengrass. Initially, Matthew requested that Levi’s last name be removed from the submission to avoid bias.
Greengrass was impressed by Levi’s performance without knowing his identity, only to discover later that he was casting Matthew McConaughey’s son. This prompted a celebratory reaction from both father and son.
Levi admitted to feeling uncertain about landing the part, having had no previous acting experience at a comparable level. His surprise and excitement were evident when he learned he had been selected.
Working Together on Set: A Family Experience
“There was an extra sort of soul to it for me,”
Matthew expressed about filming with Levi, adding,
“It felt very professional doing it with him, though.”
He described his role as supportive but firm, saying he coached Levi where possible but made clear that on set, Levi had to perform without relying on him as a safety net. Matthew proudly observed his son taking direction from the director independently.
“I said, ‘I can help coach you, I can help teach you what I can, but once we show up on the day, I’m not there as a safety net.’ And he showed up. He was not looking at me like, ‘Hey, is it OK?’ Uh-uh,”
Matthew explained.
“He worked with the director, and I sat back as a proud dad going, ‘There we go!’”
The Story Behind The Lost Bus and Family Involvement
The Lost Bus, directed by Paul Greengrass, centers on Matthew’s character, a school bus driver who must evacuate 22 children from raging wildfires in California. Levi portrays his son within the story, while Matthew’s mother, Kay McConaughey, 93, features as his on-screen mother.
Reflecting on working across three generations, Matthew noted the significance of this collaboration.
“To have my mom here and my son here and be in the middle as a bridge of those generations doing something that became a career for me, that [in] 1992, I didn’t know if it was going to be a weekend hobby but turned out to be a career — very cool,”
he shared.
Levi’s Unanticipated Journey Into Acting
Matthew had no prior knowledge of Levi’s acting ambitions until his son expressed interest in a role. At the Toronto International Film Festival’s premiere in September, he recounted how Levi inquired about the age of the character he would portray and requested an opportunity to audition.
“I come home, you know, pitch the story to the family, as I always do, and I get to the part about my son, and [Levi] says, ‘How old is your son?’”
Matthew recalled.
“I said, ‘He’s about your age.’ He says, ‘Can I read for him?’ And what did I say? I didn’t say anything. I muted him a little bit, right? I wanted to see [if he was truly interested].”
Following Levi’s impressive audition, the casting director, Francine Maisler, submitted the tape anonymously, leading to Paul Greengrass selecting Levi based purely on merit.
Emotional Response to Landing the Role
Levi admitted the joy and surprise that came with being cast, noting he never expected to secure the role on his first try. He revealed feeling overwhelmed, even shedding tears upon receiving the news.
“I knew it was a good audition, but I didn’t think I was going to get the part. I never acted before, really, on this level.”
Matthew confirmed this emotional moment, explaining,
“I remember that day. You acted all cool on the phone and were excited and then when you hung up, your eyes did well up,”
speaking directly to Levi.
Family Life Beyond the Screen
Matthew and Camila Alves have three children: Levi, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12. The family’s close-knit nature is reflected not only in their private lives but also through their collaborative work on The Lost Bus, marking a meaningful milestone in their shared journey.
