HBO’s first season The Last of Us it was a huge hit with fans. The series, based on the 2013 video game of the same name, is set in 2023, twenty years after a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which transforms its hosts into zombie-like creatures and brings society down.
Peter Pascal stars in the series as Joel, a hardened survivor who is hired to smuggle Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, from an oppressive quarantine zone at Fireflies, a cure-seeking organization. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and harrowing journey as both must traverse the United States and depend on each other for survival.
Pascal was great in the role, but it turns out he wasn’t the only actor in the running. A few months ago, it was reported that Mahershala Ali she almost got the part, and now the creator has revealed it Matthew McConaughey he was also in talks to take on the role.
In a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast by Josh Horowitz, showrunner Craig Mazin he said he contacted McConaughey when Pascal’s availability was in question. Pascal was always the first choice, but since he was busy playing The Mandalorian, it was still unclear whether he would be able to do both shows. Mazin explained:
“I talked to Matthew. He was more like, ‘Hey, here’s something to talk about.’ Pedro was on our list from the start, but we were told he wasn’t available and then, as we were floundering a bit, I got a call from his agent who said, “You know, he might actually be available” and I sent a script… I sent it on Friday and I get a call on Saturday morning: “He loves it and wants to use a zoom”. [Laughs.] This is a good sign. And then we got on a Zoom and had what I think may be the most wonderful Zoom I’ve ever had. Just love at first sight.”
Mazin went on to praise McConaughey as an actor, saying:
“Look, Matthew McConaughey is an amazing actor. I’m sure he would have been great, but it would have been different and I loved what we did, so what can I say? I think it worked well.”
It’s funny because there are so many of those alternative casts in Hollywood that honestly might as well have been great, but it seems like the reality we’ve seen is always the best.
Season 1 of The Last of Us is available to watch on MAX and Season 2 is in the works.
by Jessica Fisher
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
