How Old Were Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey in Mud?

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In March 2014, Reese Witherspoon flaunted her legs at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards. She both gave a show presentation and received the Robert Altman Award for her 2012 American coming-of-age drama film Mud.

The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as Mud, a mysterious fugitive who enlists the help of two young boys, Ellis (played by Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (played by Jacob Lofland), to escape from the law and reunite with his lost love, Juniper (played by Reese Witherspoon).

Reese Witherspoon's real bruises and cuts from an accident prior to filming "Mud" were not concealed with makeup or waited to heal, as director Jeff Nichols believed they suited the character, JuniperReese Witherspoon’s real bruises and cuts from an accident before filming “Mud” were not concealed with makeup or waited to heal, as director Jeff Nichols believed they suited the character, Juniper (Credit: Lionsgate)

When the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 26, 2012, Matthew McConaughey was 42 years old, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland were both 15 and Reese Witherspoon was 36 years old.

Sam Shepard also stars as Tom Blankenship, an older man who assists Mud and the boys.

Reese Witherspoon experienced an accident shortly before the start of filming for “Mud.” As a result, she had real bruises and cuts on her face. Mud started shooting in Arkansas on September 26, 2011.

Rather than covering them up with makeup or waiting for her to heal further, director Jeff Nichols creatively incorporated her injuries into her character’s appearance.

Despite the discussions with Chris Pine for the title role in May 2011, Jeff Nichols had his heart set on Matthew McConaughey from the beginning as his first choice for the role of Mud, having been impressed with his performance in Lone Star (1996)Despite the discussions with Chris Pine for the title role in May 2011, Jeff Nichols had his heart set on Matthew McConaughey from the beginning as his first choice for the role of Mud, having been impressed with his performance in Lone Star (1996) (Credit: Lionsgate)

In May 2011, there were talks of Chris Pine taking on the title role in “Mud”. However, writer and director Jeff Nichols had his heart set on Matthew McConaughey from the beginning, ever since he saw him in the 1996 American neo-Western mystery film Lone Star.

Reese Witherspoon sweeps her blonde hair up at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit AwardsReese Witherspoon sweeps her blonde hair up at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards held on March 1, 2014, in Santa Monica, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

At the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, the then-37-year-old American actress and producer dressed in a draped silk skirt and an abstract-printed silk beaded top from the Giambattista Valli Spring 2014 couture collection.

Reese Witherspoon poses for photos on the blue carpet in a blue Giambattista Valli setReese Witherspoon poses for photos on the blue carpet in a blue Giambattista Valli set (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

She accessorized with a petite black handbag by Dior.

Reese Witherspoon clutches a petite Dior handbagReese Witherspoon clutches a petite Dior handbag (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

The “Legally Blonde” actress completed her ensemble with a stunning pair of “Leonor Fini” sandals by Christian Louboutin.

Reese Witherspoon's feet in Christian Louboutin Spring 2014 sandalsReese Witherspoon’s feet in Christian Louboutin Spring 2014 sandals (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

Reese’s sandals are from the Spring 2014 collection and are unavailable online.

Reese Witherspoon's feet in open-toed "Leonor Fini" sandalsReese Witherspoon’s feet in open-toed “Leonor Fini” sandals (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

Sarah Paulson wore the same sandals to the January 2014 Producers Guild of America Awards.

Sarah Paulson in a short-sleeved sequined Marc Jacobs Spring 2014 dress with purple floral details at the 25th annual Producers Guild of America AwardsSarah Paulson in a short-sleeved sequined Marc Jacobs Spring 2014 dress with purple floral details at the 25th annual Producers Guild of America Awards held on January 19, 2014, in Los Angeles (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

The then-38-year-old actress, who starred as Mary Epps in the historical drama film “12 Years a Slave,” donned a sequin short-sleeve dress by Marc Jacobs.

She accessorized with a black satin clutch and Rona Pfeiffer earrings.

Sarah Paulson holds a black satin clutch at the 2014 Producers Guild of America awardsSarah Paulson holds a black satin clutch at the 2014 Producers Guild of America awards (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

Finally, Julianne Moore sported the Christian Louboutin “Leonor Fini” sandals to a movie premiere in Paris.

Julianne Moore wears a Balenciaga dress to the Paris premiere of "Non-Stop"Julianne Moore wears a Balenciaga dress to the Paris premiere of “Non-Stop” held January 27, 2014 (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

The British–American actress and children’s author styled them with Balenciaga’s sculptural cape-front black silk dress.

Michelle Dockery, Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore pose on the red carpet of the "Non-Stop" premiereMichelle Dockery, Liam Neeson, and Julianne Moore pose on the red carpet of the “Non-Stop” premiere (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

She styled her ensemble with a black crocodile-patterned minaudière by Balenciaga.

Julianne Moore clutches a black crocodile-patterned minaudière from BalenciagaJulianne Moore clutches a black crocodile-patterned minaudière from Balenciaga (Credit: Apega / WENN / Revolutionpix / FayesVision / SIPA)

Who looked best in the red sole Christian Louboutin “Leonor Fini” sandals?