In a recent episode of Happy, sad, confused podcast, The last of us Showrunner Craig Mazin announced that Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey was also one of the actors considered for the role of Joel Miller. Mazin shared that McConaughey was briefly in talks to adapt the hit video game for a series when Pedro Pascal was initially unavailable due to scheduling conflicts.
“I can’t say it was like a series (of talks). It was more of a ‘hey, there’s something to talk about here,'” Mazin said. “Pedro was on our list from the start. We were told he wasn’t available, and as we stumbled around a little more, I got a call from his (McConaughey’s) agent saying, “You know, he might actually be available.”
What is The Last of Us about?
“The live-action series is set 20 years after the destruction of modern civilization,” reads the synopsis. “Joel and Ellie, a couple bound by the harshness of the world they live in, must endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a journey through a post-pandemic America.”
The Last of Us currently stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy Miller and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Season 2 is expected to be based on Naughty Dog’s acclaimed video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II, which will feature a significant time warp with the introduction of a now-adult Ellie.
Season 1 also starred Nico Parker, Anna Torv, Melanie Lynskey, Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman and Storm Reid. It also included guest appearances by original video game actors Jeffrey Pierce, Merle Dandridge, Troy Baker, and Ashley Johnson as new characters.
The series is executive produced and co-written by Craig Mazin, creator of Chernobyl, and Neil Druckmann, writer of the original game, who also serves as one of the directors. It is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television in association with PlayStation Productions. Executive Producers are Carolyn Strauss, Naughty Dog President Evan Wells, and PlayStation Productions Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan.
Season 1 is available to stream now on HBO Max.