The journey of HBO’s The Last of Us was shaped by several major decisions long before Joel’s story reached the screen. Joel Miller was played by Pedro Pascal, who was tasked with smuggling Ellie across a post-apocalyptic country. Its premise was so intriguing that it quickly became one of HBO’s most talked-about series. The show was praised left and right for its emotional story, performances, and faithful adaptation of the beloved game. However, before Pascal, another major Hollywood star was seriously considered for the role of Joel.

The HBO hit went through an interesting casting journey before its central characters finally found the actors audiences know today. 

Matthew McConaughey has recently revealed that he was in serious talks to play Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us, which eventually went to Pedro Pascal. However, he ultimately decided that the part was not right for him at the time. The actor told Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he was stepping away from acting, focusing more on writing and exploring leadership opportunities in his life. McConaughey said he found the project exciting but wondered whether he wanted the long-term commitment of starring in a television series. 

“If you want it to succeed then you'll be doing it for years and years and years. Do I want that to be the case,” McConaughey said, explaining that he was not ready to commit to a long-running television series then. 

McConaughey further said during the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he has been excited by the possibility of The Last of Us, particularly after seeing True Detective’s success. Additionally, he was unsure what kind of project would have suited him at that point in his life, but Rivals was among the first projects that caught his attention. He noted that its appeal came partly from being a standalone movie rather than a long-running series. But ultimately he felt the HBO series was not right for him at this stage in his life. 

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McConaughey’s decision ultimately opened the door for Pedro Pascal to make Joel his own. 

Pedro Pascal’s Joel Miller, which changed his life forever, is a grizzled survivor, shaped by grief, loss and years of living in a post-apocalyptic world. Joel was a loving father, but after losing his daughter in the outbreak, he has become hardened and guarded. To pay the bills, he takes on dangerous jobs, and eventually agrees to smuggle Ellie, a teenage girl who may hold the key to humanity’s future. As they travel together, he slowly changes into a different man, developing a strong protective bond with Ellie, who makes him confront his painful past. 

Ultimately, Matthew McConaughey’s decision allowed Pascal to mold Joel for HBO’s adaptation, making the character one of the show’s most recognizable performances. McConaughey may have seen the appeal of the role but his concerns about the demands of a long-running series ultimately led him to walk away. In retrospect, McConaughey’s decision remains a fascinating casting “what if,” showing how a single choice can completely change the way an iconic character is brought to life.

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Could you imagine Matthew McConaughey as Joel instead of Pedro Pascal? Let us know in the comments.