It’s hard to imagine The Last of Us without Pedro Pascal’s iconic portrayal of Joel, but the role almost went to someone else—Matthew McConaughey. Craig Mazin, the co-creator of the hit HBO series, revealed that McConaughey was once considered for the part before Pascal was officially cast in 2021.
In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Mazin opened up about the casting process. “I did talk to Matthew,” Mazin recalled. “I can’t say that it was a series [of conversations]. It was more of like, ‘Hey! Here’s something to talk about.'”
While McConaughey was a contender, Mazin and co-creator Neil Druckmann were always intrigued by Pascal for the role. However, at the time, Pascal was unavailable due to his commitments to The Mandalorian and his busy film schedule. It wasn’t until later that Pascal’s availability aligned, making him the ideal choice to portray the beloved character of Joel.
McConaughey’s Involvement
McConaughey, an Oscar-winning actor, was rumored to be in the mix for the role of Joel during the casting discussions. However, these talks didn’t evolve into anything concrete, with Mazin emphasizing that it was just a casual exploration of the possibility. This revelation sheds light on how The Last of Us creators were looking for the perfect actor to bring Joel to life but were always fond of Pascal’s potential for the role.
Pascal’s Role Solidified
Despite the early uncertainty, Pedro Pascal was officially confirmed as Joel in February 2021, alongside Bella Ramsey as Ellie. The chemistry between the two actors quickly became a highlight of the series, which premiered in January 2023 to widespread acclaim.
The Last of Us became a major success for HBO, with the show becoming the network’s second-largest debut ever. The show was renewed for a second season just days after its premiere, signaling its strong fan base and critical success.
Pascal’s Initial Hesitation
While it seems like a dream role for any actor, Pascal admitted earlier this year that he was initially nervous about taking on the role of Joel. “It became very, very clear very quickly how much people loved the game and the experience of playing the game,” Pascal told Entertainment Tonight. “That was scary because you can get really into a book. You can get really into a series. And this is the next level of getting into an immersive experience of playing these characters.”
Despite his nerves, Pascal’s performance in The Last of Us received rave reviews, as he expertly balanced the complexity of Joel’s character while maintaining the heart and humanity that fans of the game cherish.
The Future of The Last of Us
While The Last of Us has already been renewed for a second season, fans are excited to see what direction the story will take in future episodes. As the show delves deeper into the world of post-apocalyptic survival, the relationship between Joel and Ellie remains at the core of the story, with Pascal and Ramsey continuing to lead the charge.
In the meantime, fans are left wondering how different the show might have been had McConaughey been cast as Joel. Although McConaughey’s involvement was short-lived, it ultimately led to the perfect casting of Pedro Pascal—an actor who captured the essence of Joel, and continues to make his mark on the beloved series.