After officially getting greenlit by HBO, the hype surrounding the upcoming The Last of Us TV series has now reached a whole new level.
From chalking out the episode arc to finalizing the cast, the possibilities are certainly endless and exciting when it comes to The Last of Us TV series.
Moreover, the developers of the game, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann recently seemed to be welcoming suggestions as to who would make a perfect Joel and Ellie.
Oh snap! We're picked up for a full season! Hold me, @clmazin! I'm scared! So... any ideas out there for casting? Haven't heard anything. 😉 https://t.co/WXS83sVs9I pic.twitter.com/E5FQg6SX1v
— Dr. Uckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) November 20, 2020
As expected, Druckmann's tweet was met with an overwhelming response. Excited fans came up with their ideal casting pair for HBO's The Last of Us.
While Kaitlyn Dever from Booksmart seems to be an overwhelming fan favourite to play Ellie, the casting of Joel for The Last of Us TV series has attracted quite a few potential candidates.
The Last of Us HBO TV series: 4 actors who are fan favourites to play Joel
4) Karl Urban
The Kiwi actor is one of the most charismatic stars today, who has made a major splash ever since his turn as foul-mouthed vigilante Billy Butcher in Amazon's comic-book series, The Boys.
Both Billy Butcher and Joel Miller are antiheroes, who appear to be emotionally impenetrable, only for their underlying moral compass to shine through at critical junctures.
The way Billy takes Hughie under his wing in The Boys bears resemblance to Joel's sense of protectiveness towards Ellie, which constitutes the Last of Us's emotional core.
HERE YOU HAVE IRL JOEL MILLER AKA KARL URBAN, YOU ARE WELCOME. pic.twitter.com/yDmhSf73Q0
— Leah ❄️ @ PS5 week! (@laliluLeahlo) May 28, 2020
On the acting front, Karl Urban's acting credentials are right up there with the best, having notched up an impressive filmography so far.
Capable of delivering an unabashed, visceral performance, Karl Urban would certainly make for a compelling Joel in The Last of Us TV series.
3) Josh Brolin
Next on the list is Thanos himself. Josh Brolin, who is one of the most versatile actors of his generation, is known for combining character depth with elaborate makeovers.
Right from his career-defining turn in 2007's Academy-Award winning No Country for Old Men to his recent appearances in Marvel blockbusters such as Deadpool and Avengers: Endgame, Josh Brolin is a certified star blessed with stellar acting chops.
Joel voice actor Troy Baker thinks Josh Brolin would be a 'knockout choice' to play the character in 'The Last of Us' HBO series(via @Collider | https://t.co/rM3MOIcLkN) pic.twitter.com/nuPD2PhB86
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) June 26, 2020
What's also interesting to note is that while writing the character of Joel in the Last of Us, Neil Druckmann actually took inspiration from Brolin's portrayal of Llewyn Moss in No Country for Old Men.
A rugged action-star, capable of delivering emotionally-charged performances, Brolin would fit seamlessly into the shoes of an aged Joel, who despite going through a lot, holds on to his killer survival instinct.
2) Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman aka The Wolverine is an Australian actor who lit up our screens with his majestic performances. He could certainly make an impact as Joel from The Last of Us.
Apart from portraying the Adamantium Assassin, perhaps one of the finest roles of his career was in Dennis Villeneuve's 2013 thriller, Prisoners.
His portrayal of a relentless father in pursuit of his daughters served as a fine display of his acting credentials and won him universal praise.
The father-daughter arc was once again brilliantly explored in Logan, which is considered one of the greatest superhero films ever made.
Hugh Jackman in Logan is basically Joel in the Last of Us .... make this happen @HBO @Naughty_Dog pic.twitter.com/42RapZwlX1
— Kevin (@KevinOwildin) March 5, 2020
His look in the film is almost a spitting image of Joel from The Last of Us and Jackman would undoubtedly bring his own signature brand of brimming intensity to an emotionally-layered role.
1) Nikolaj-Coster Waldau
Leading the race to portray Joel from The Last of Us, is Danish actor Nikolaj-Coster Waldau, the man known across the globe as Game of Thrones' Jamie Lannister.
The character development which Jamie undergoes throughout the series is one of the most compelling in recent memory and Coster-Waldau breathes life into his portrayal of a misunderstood and weary warrior.
Everyone wants Nikolaj Coster Waldau as Joel! Make it happens pls! He's got Joel eyes #TheLastOfUs pic.twitter.com/5zwaD5mCDV
— nonsensefans (@_peteachu_) November 21, 2020
Apart from his roles on Television, Coster-Waldau has also excelled in films such as Shot Caller and Small Crimes.
Right from the striking facial similarity to similar character traits in the roles he's played, Nikolaj-Coster Waldau is currently the overwhelming fan favourite to play Joel in The Last of Us TV series.
Edited by Abhishek Singh
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of entertainment, particularly in the intersection of video games and television adaptations, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the table. My insights are not merely drawn from speculation but rooted in a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics and the nuances involved in translating video game narratives to the television format.
Now, delving into the exciting developments surrounding HBO's adaptation of "The Last of Us," it's imperative to scrutinize the casting choices for Joel and Ellie, crucial characters in the series. Neil Druckmann's tweet, inviting suggestions for casting, has generated a substantial buzz among fans, and the response has been overwhelming.
Let's explore the potential candidates for the role of Joel in the upcoming TV series:
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Nikolaj-Coster Waldau: The Danish actor, renowned for his portrayal of Jamie Lannister in "Game of Thrones," emerges as a frontrunner. His ability to breathe life into complex characters aligns with Joel's multifaceted personality. The striking facial resemblance and the depth he brought to Jamie make him a compelling choice.
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Hugh Jackman: Known for his iconic role as Wolverine, Jackman's performances, especially in films like "Prisoners" and "Logan," showcase his capacity for intense, emotionally charged roles. His physical resemblance to Joel, as seen in "Logan," adds to the appeal of him taking on this role.
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Josh Brolin: A versatile actor, Brolin's career spans from acclaimed performances in "No Country for Old Men" to his recent roles in Marvel blockbusters. Interestingly, Neil Druckmann drew inspiration from Brolin's portrayal in "No Country for Old Men" while crafting Joel's character. This endorsem*nt from the game's creator adds weight to Brolin's candidacy.
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Karl Urban: With a charismatic presence, Urban, known for his role as Billy Butcher in "The Boys," shares similarities with Joel in terms of being emotionally impenetrable yet guided by an underlying moral compass. Urban's acting credentials and visceral performances position him as a strong contender.
The convergence of fan preferences and the creators' openness to suggestions adds a layer of excitement to the casting process. As the series progresses from the green light to the production stage, the final choices for Joel and Ellie will significantly shape the narrative and the overall success of "The Last of Us" TV series on HBO. Stay tuned for further updates as the journey from game console to television screen unfolds.
