Matthew McConaughey turned down $15 million to play Magnum P.I Matthew McConaughey stars in as real-life Texas cowboy Ron Woodroof, whose life was overturned in 1985 when he was diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. Matthew McConaughey in a scene from "Magic Mike." Photo: AP/Warner Bros Source: News Limited MOVIE star Matthew McConaughey has revealed he turned down $US15 million ($A16.16 million) to reinvent Tom Selleck's TV private detective Magnum for the big screen. The 44-year-old actor has told The Hollywood Reporter he thought long and hard about the role in 2008 but decided to pass and instead concentrate on smaller projects. Tom Selleck in a scene from TV show Magnum PI. Photo: News Limited Source: News Limited The decision came after McConaughey had appeared in a string of big-budget flops such as Sahara and Fool's Gold. "Taking a year and a half off and saying no to things in some form or fashion made me a new good idea," he said. Sometimes the target draws the arrow. McConaughey signed on for a series of acclaimed films, including Bernie, Killer Joe, The Paperboy, Magic Mike and Mud. Now he is receiving Oscar-worthy praise from critics for his upcoming film, Dallas Buyer's Club, in which he plays a womaniser who contracts HIV. He shed over 18kg's for the role. Matthew McConaughey in a scene from .