TV Article See Matthew McConaughey in Civil War action-drama 'The Free State of Jones' By Devan Coggan Devan Coggan Devan Coggan (rhymes with seven slogan) is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly. Most of her personality is just John Mulaney quotes and Lord of the Rings references. EW's editorial guidelines Published on April 23, 2015 07:47PM EDT Photo: Murray Close/STX Productions STX Entertainment has released two new images of a bearded Matthew McConaughey in the upcoming Civil War action-drama The Free State of Jones. McConaughey stars as Mississippi farmer Newt Knight, who led an armed rebellion against the Confederacy. With the help of other farmers and local slaves, the former Confederate soldier fled the battlefield and launched the uprising that led Jones County, Miss., to secede from the Confederacy, creating the Free State of Jones. After the war, he married a former slave named Rachel. Directed by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games), the film also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, and Keri Russell. The Free State of Jones will hit theaters March 11, 2016. Murray Close/STX Productions, Murray Close/STX Productions