'Last of Us' Showrunner Reveals Matthew McConaughey was Considered for Pedro Pascal's Part in Hit Series

On a pivotal day for Hollywood’s work stoppage, some actors, writers, and creatives had something to celebrate. A quick respite of joy from the picket lines (or potential picket lines) in the form of 2024 Emmy Award nominations.

Pedro Pascal is leading the Emmy nominations alongside Jenna Ortega. The two Latin stars are making history in their categories, with Jenna becoming the youngest Latina acting nominee in the Comedy Series category, following America Ferrera’s nomination and win in 2008.The Chilean actor is breaking a record in the Drama category for his incredible performance in the popular HBO series ‘The Last of Us,’ acting alongside Bella Ramsey, who has also been nominated for Lead Actress in a Drama series.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor This year’s Emmy nominees will highlight a more diverse crop of actors, with Latino performers having a particularly strong showing. Of course, much of that is thanks to Pedro Pascal, who has become the most nominated Latino in a single year with three noms. He’s recognized for his work in “The Last of Us” as lead drama actor, “Saturday Night Live” as guest comedy actor and “Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World” as outstanding narrator. Pascal’s nomination for HBO’s dystopian video game adaptation makes him only the second Latino ever recognized in the drama category after Jimmy Smits’ four consecutive noms for “NYPD Blue” from 1996-1999. But there were some notable Latino stars who didn’t hear their names read — namely, Diego Luna, who was snubbed for Disney’s “Andor” despite its best drama series nomination.

It’s going to be a big night for Pedro Pascal at the 2023 Emmy Awards as he’s up for three awards.

Jenna Ortega and Pedro Pascal are making Emmy history for Latino actors following their respective nominations in leading acting categories announced this morning for the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.

Karen Allen is best known to fans as Marion, the longtime love of Harrison Ford‘s title character in the long-running Indiana Jones franchise.

“The Last of Us” star’s character has his eyes gouged out as he dies. “I remember, earlier on, because of ‘Game of Thrones’ and the way my character died, people were super into taking selfies with their thumbs in my eyes,” Pascal recently told The Hollywood Reporter, which has rounded up a series of recounted tales of fan interactions. featuring Pascal and other celebrities like Jenna Ortega and Jennifer Garner.

Pedro Pascal, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in popular TV series and movies like “Narcos,” “The Mandalorian,” and “The Last of Us,” credits his career transformation to his breakthrough role on the hit fantasy show “Game of Thrones.” In season four of the HBO series, Pascal portrayed the charismatic and memorable character Oberyn Martell  (via Far Out Magazine).Pascal describes his time on “Game of Thrones” as an incredible and ideal experience. Playing a beautifully written and iconic character allowed him to showcase his talent in a solid season of the series.

The Last Of Us, but his potential casting never became “serious”.While the HBO adaptation of the video game was in development, reports claimed True Detective stars Mahershala Ali and McConaughey were both in contention to play the role of Joel in the series, which eventually went to Pedro Pascal.Show co-creator Craig Mazin addressed the rumours on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where he confirmed talks with McConaughey had taken place.“I actually never talked to Mahershala,” Mazin said. “I did talk to Matthew [McConaughey]. I can’t say it was serious.

“The Last of Us” bosses originally had someone else in mind to play Joel Miller instead of Pedro Pascal.

It’s hard to imagine The Last of Us without Pedro Pascal, but cocreator Craig Mazin revealed that there was another contender for the role of Joel — Matthew McConaughey.

HBO has another hit on its hands with “The Last Of Us,” with the series breaking all sorts of viewership records for the network earlier this year. And a lot of the show’s critical success comes from its cast, leading man Pedro Pascal in particular.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Before Pedro Pascal landed the male lead in HBO’s adaptation of the hugely popular “The Last of Us” video game, rumors swirled that co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann were trying to lure former “True Detective” stars Mahershala Ali and Matthew McConaughey back to the network to headline the series. Mazin finally sounded off on the casting rumors during a recent interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. “I actually never talked to Mahershala,” Mazin said before confirming that talks with McConaughey did in fact take place. However, it sounds like McConaughey’s casting never made it past early discussions about the project.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Focus Features and Working Title have released the first trailer for Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s comedy caper “Drive-Away Dolls.” The comedy is set to open in theaters on Sept. 22. The film follows Jamie, played by Margaret Qualley, who is an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals. Speaking with Variety, Coen described the film as “filthy fun” and a “chase intrigue movie. In one word, it’s a comedy.”

 almost looked very different!During an appearance on the  podcast, showrunner Craig Mazin revealed that Matthew McConaughey was originally tapped for the role of Joel before Pedro Pascal signed on to the hit HBO series.«I did talk to Matthew. I can't say that it was a series [of conversations]. It was more of a, 'Hey, here's something to talk about,'» Mazin shared.

Pedro Pascal is looking back at his career in Hollywood, following his incredible success in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us,’ and with his upcoming projects, including Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ alongside Paul Mescal, and his performance in ‘Strange Way of Life’ directed by Pedro Almodóvar, and co-starring Ethan Hawke.During his most recent interview with Variety, the Chilean star was asked about his impact and influence on the Latin population, as well as being an advocate for the LGBTQ community. “I want to be able to fulfill the assignment and continue to fulfill the assignment,” the actor said to the publication.“It’s the best part.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Pedro Pascal is charming, funny and incredibly talented. His resume thus far includes notable films and television series such as HBO’s “The Last of Us” and Lionsgate’s “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” During his interview, I referenced his 2020 cover story. In that story, he said he couldn’t believe Patty Jenkins cast him in “Wonder Woman 1984” without auditioning. Then something happened that you don’t typically see. When asked what it feels like to be a role model to young Latinos, LGBTQ and Hollywood dreamers everywhere who yearn to sit in the same position he finds himself in, his usual charisma and confidence melted away.

In HBO’s hit series The Last of Us, it’s the end of the world as most of humanity knows it, but Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey feel just fine. Long gone are the traces of the hardened survivor Joel (Pascal) and the teenage spitfire Ellie (Ramsey), who must endure the collapse of modern civilization due to a deadly mutable fungus that turns people into zombie-like creatures. Well, sort of. Comfortably sat within the confines of a secluded lounge at the Directors Guild of America, the pair are swapping inside jokes and bursting with laughter. While Pascal trades in Joel’s stoicism for passion, Ramsey can’t quite shake the penchant for Ellie’s habitual cussing.

The Last of Us started as a video game, became a hit TV series and is about to become not one but two live attractions: Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights will open Last of Us haunted houses at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in September.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Season 48 of “Saturday Night Live” may have been cut short due to the writers’ strike, depriving us of the final three hosts, Pete Davidson, Kieran Culkin and Jennifer Coolidge (crossing our fingers for the first three slots of Season 49?), but there will lots for members of the Television Academy to choose from. Pedro Pascal, Quinta Brunson, Austin Butler and Jenna Ortega are among the hosts submitted for Emmy consideration in the guest acting categories. Not every person lucky enough to take the stage of Studio 8H in New York City submits for Primetime recognition. For example, Season 47 hosts Oscar Isaac, Kim Kardashian and Billie Eilish were not among the proposed names.