Just a hunka hunka box office love (and sometimes profit)

In a way, Matthew McConaughey is having a good old-fashioned career. After his show-stealing turn in 1993’s “Dazed and Confused,” his main role seemed to be Coverboy du Jour. And despite a series of subsequent duds -- “U-571,” “Reign of Fire” -- the powers that be are determined to figure out what McConaughey can do besides look good with his shirt unbuttoned. According to the numbers, that would suggest romantic-comedy lead rather than action/adventure/sci-fi/drama lead: His latest, “Failure to Launch,” costarring Sarah Jessica Parker, was No. 1 at the box office its opening weekend. But who needs consistent box office when you rank as a People magazine Sexiest Man Alive? Look at George Clooney; he just won an Oscar. And he kept his shirt buttoned the whole time.

Film: “Failure to Launch”

Year: 2006

Genre: romantic comedy

Domestic gross: $24.5 million opening weekend

Cost to make: $50 million

Role: A hunky bachelor still living at home

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Film: “Two for the Money”

Year: 2005

Genre: drama

Domestic gross: $22.9 million

Cost to make: $35 million

Role: A hunky sports bookie

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Film: “Sahara”

Year: 2005

Genre: action

Domestic gross: $68.6 million

Cost to make: $130 million

Role: A hunky adventurer with an attitude

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Film: “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”

Year: 2003

Genre: romantic comedy

Domestic gross: $105.8 million

Cost to make: N/A

Role: A hunky bachelor who meets his match

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Film: “Reign of Fire”

Year: 2002

Genre: sci-fi/action

Domestic gross: $43 million

Cost to make: $60 million

Role: A hunky dragon slayer

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Film: “The Wedding Planner”

Year: 2001

Genre: romantic comedy

Domestic gross: $60.4 million

Cost to make: $35 million

Role: A hunky husband-to-be who falls for J. Lo

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Film: “U-571”

Year: 2000

Genre: drama

Domestic gross: $77.1 million

Cost to make: $62 million

Role: A hunky submarine officer in war time

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Film: “Amistad”

Year: 1997

Genre: drama

Domestic gross: $44.2 million

Cost to make: $36 million

Role: An earnest -- but not so hunky -- 18th century lawyer

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Film: “A Time to Kill”

Year: 1996

Genre: drama

Domestic gross: $108.7 million

Cost to make: N/A

Role: A hunky Southern attorney who confronts racism

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Film: “Dazed and Confused”

Year: 1993

Genre: comedy/drama

Domestic gross: $8 million

Cost to make: N/A

Role: A hunky stoner

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Sources: IMDB, boxofficemojo.com