It was recently revealed that Matthew McConaughey was in talks for the role of Joel in the upcoming series adaptation of “The Last of Us,” alongside Pedro Pascal, who eventually landed the role. Co-creator Craig Mazin confirmed this during an episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, explaining that he did have conversations with McConaughey about the role.
Mazin clarified that it was not a series of conversations but more of a casual discussion. He initially had Pedro Pascal in mind for the role, but was told that he was unavailable. However, Pascal’s agent later reached out to Mazin and informed him that Pascal might actually be available. Mazin was excited by the possibility and sent Pascal the script.
To Mazin’s surprise, Pascal read the script immediately and expressed his interest in the role. Despite being busy filming a movie in England at the time, Pascal wanted to have a Zoom meeting to discuss the series further. Mazin described the Zoom meeting as “love at first sight,” as Pascal was immediately insightful about the character and the story.
Ultimately, Pascal was cast as Joel opposite Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie. Mazin expressed his admiration for Matthew McConaughey, stating that he is an amazing actor, but he believed that the version they made with Pascal was the right choice for the series.
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In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pascal also discussed the pressure he felt taking on a role in a series with such a large and devoted fan base. He acknowledged that there were high expectations and a fear of disappointing the fans, but he also expressed his desire to be liked by the audience.
The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game that follows the story of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. The upcoming series adaptation, created by Mazin and Neil Druckmann, the creator of the game, aims to capture the same emotional depth and intense storytelling that made the game so popular.
The addition of Pedro Pascal to the cast brings excitement and anticipation for fans of both the game and Pascal’s previous work. Pascal has garnered praise for his performances in shows like “Game of Thrones” and “The Mandalorian,” and his portrayal of Joel is highly anticipated.
“The Last of Us” series is set to premiere on HBO. The adaptation will follow the events of the first game, with potential for future seasons to explore the events of the game’s sequel as well. Fans of the game can look forward to seeing their favorite characters brought to life on screen, and newcomers to the story can expect a thrilling and emotional journey through a post-apocalyptic world.
Overall, the casting process for “The Last of Us” series involved discussions with both Pedro Pascal and Matthew McConaughey for the role of Joel. While McConaughey was considered, Pascal ultimately secured the role and impressed the creators with his enthusiasm and insight into the character. The series promises to be an exciting adaptation of the beloved video game, and fans can’t wait to see Pascal’s portrayal of Joel when the series premieres.
