Matthew McConaughey Was Considered for the Role of Joel
It’s nearly impossible to picture The Last of Us without Pedro Pascal’s iconic portrayal of Joel, but the role nearly went to another star—Matthew McConaughey. Craig Mazin, the co-creator of the hit HBO series, recently revealed that McConaughey was once considered for the role before Pascal was officially cast in 2021.
During an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Mazin opened up about the casting process, recalling, “I did talk to Matthew. 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 on the radar for the role, Mazin and co-creator Neil Druckmann were already intrigued by Pascal for the part. However, at that time, Pascal’s schedule was tied up with The Mandalorian and a packed film agenda. It wasn’t until later that his availability aligned perfectly, ultimately making him the right choice to bring the beloved character of Joel to life.
McConaughey’s Role in the Casting Process
Although McConaughey’s involvement in the casting talks was brief, the Oscar-winning actor was rumored to be in the mix for the role of Joel. Mazin emphasized that these conversations remained exploratory and never evolved into anything more concrete. This insight reveals that, while the creators were considering a range of actors for the role, Pascal was always a top contender due to his connection to the character.
Pedro Pascal’s Role Was Finally Confirmed
Despite the early uncertainty and brief discussions with McConaughey, Pedro Pascal was officially confirmed as Joel in February 2021. Bella Ramsey was also cast as Ellie, and their on-screen chemistry quickly became one of the most compelling aspects of the series. When The Last of Us premiered in January 2023, it received widespread acclaim, with the show becoming HBO’s second-largest debut ever. Just days after its premiere, the series was renewed for a second season, cementing its strong fan base and critical success.
Pascal’s Initial Hesitation
Even though the role of Joel seemed like a dream opportunity, Pascal admitted that he was initially nervous about taking it on. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he revealed, “It became very, very clear very quickly how much people loved the game and the experience of playing the game. 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 as Joel received rave reviews, with critics praising his ability to balance the complexity of the character while maintaining the emotional depth that fans of the game had come to love.
What’s Next for The Last of Us?
With the series already renewed for a second season, fans are eagerly awaiting the direction in which the story will unfold. As The Last of Us dives deeper into the post-apocalyptic world, the evolving relationship between Joel and Ellie remains central to the narrative. Pascal and Ramsey’s dynamic continues to be a driving force in the show’s success, and viewers are excited to see where their journey will take them next.
Meanwhile, fans are left to ponder how different the show might have been had McConaughey been cast as Joel. While McConaughey’s involvement in the process was short-lived, it ultimately led to the perfect casting of Pedro Pascal—an actor who has captured the essence of Joel and continues to make a lasting impact on the beloved series.
