It turns out that we came close to witnessing a very different Joel in The Last of Us TV show. While Pedro Pascal has undoubtedly won the hearts of fans as Joel Miller in the HBO series, it’s intriguing to learn from showrunner Craig Mazin about the actors who were considered for the iconic role.
Rumors had been circulating for some time that Mahershala Ali and Matthew McConaughey were in talks for the part. Recently, Craig Mazin shed light on these discussions during an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Confirming the speculation, Mazin revealed, “I actually never talked to Mahershala. I did talk to Matthew.” He clarified that the conversations with McConaughey were not necessarily serious but more exploratory in nature.
“Initially, Pedro was on our list from the start, but we were told that he was unavailable. Then, as we were kind of searching for alternatives, I received a call from his agent who said, ‘You know, he actually might be available.'”
Taking swift action, Mazin promptly sent McConaughey a script, and the very next day, they hopped on a Zoom call. Mazin described the encounter as “the most wonderful Zoom I’ve ever had,” where an instant connection was formed.
Reflecting on the casting possibilities, Mazin acknowledged, “I’m sure there’s a different universe where it’s another actor.” While recognizing Matthew McConaughey’s incredible talent, Mazin expressed his satisfaction with the choice they ultimately made for the role of Joel.
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“And look, Matthew McConaughey is an amazing actor. I’m sure it would have been great, but it would have been different. And I like the one that we made, so what can I say?”
The revelation of these discussions gives fans a glimpse into the decision-making process and the various actors considered for the pivotal role of Joel in The Last of Us TV show.
Despite the potential alternate paths, the combination of Pedro Pascal’s portrayal and the vision of the creative team has shaped a captivating rendition of the beloved character.
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