THE LAST OF US: Mahershala Ali Has Reportedly Been Offered The Role Of Joel In HBO Series

THE LAST OF US: Mahershala Ali Has Reportedly Been Offered The Role Of Joel In HBO Series

As HBO prepares to begin production on its planned adaptation of The Last of Us video game, a new report claims that Luke Cage and Blade actor Mahershala Ali has been offered the lead role of Joel...

By MarkCassidy - Feb 10, 2021 02:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Last of Us

We have a potentially major update on the planned small screen adaptation of Naughty Dog's best-selling The Last of Us video game here, as HBO reportedly has none other than Mahershala Ali in mind for the role of Joel.

The Illuminerdi reports that the Academy Award-winning Green Book actor has been offered the part, but it's not clear if any negotiations have actually taken place. The role is said to be "Ali’s for the taking" if he wants it, however.

This would certainly be a departure from the original interpretation of the character, but it's difficult to imagine too many fans having an issue with an actor of Ali's calibre boarding the project.

The Last of Us is set 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed and centers on the relationship between Joel, a smuggler in this new world, and Ellie, a teenager who may be key to a cure for a deadly pandemic. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle the 14-year-old girl out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey as they traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and the game's creator Neil Druckmann are writing and executive producing the show. The first season will adapt the events of the original game, but is also expected to include elements of The Last of Us Part II.

The source has been spot on with their casting scoops in the past, so we have no reason to doubt them on this. That said, the trades will likely weigh in if and when Ali (or another actor) accepts the gig.

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SKetCH
SKetCH - 2/10/2021, 2:17 PM
He really is that great of an actor, I can't see too many people being upset about the change to his physical appearance. Ali is more than capable of portraying the characteristics that make Joel the man the world knows.
Gizmoduck
Gizmoduck - 2/10/2021, 2:19 PM
@SKetCH - i dont think it matters in the case of a game with a single sequel. If it was a franchise and had a huge history, maybe, but this doesnt matter, and hes a fantastic actor. hopefully they get blade pushed through asap - cant wait.
GothamSon
GothamSon - 2/10/2021, 2:20 PM
Ali is a soulful, thoughtful performer, while Joel is a world-weary man chock full of unresolved grief & unbridled rage. This casting doesn't match up.
Joshmosh98
Joshmosh98 - 2/10/2021, 2:33 PM
@GothamSon - He does portray a man with a lot of grief and unresolved issues in True Detective S3, he was fantastic in that series, really recommend it, mostly for his and Stephen Dorffs performances.
Vanillain
Vanillain - 2/10/2021, 5:27 PM
@GothamSon - Have we not learned anything? Heath Ledger played heart-throbs before giving us a damn excellent Joker performance. Jared Leto played a great range of characters before giving us the sh*tty a$$ Joker.

I get it if it's some unknown actor. But Ali? ...
Matador
Matador - 2/10/2021, 6:29 PM
@Joshmosh98 - And

Murderisbadong
Murderisbadong - 2/10/2021, 2:20 PM
Given the track record of video game adaptations. I don’t think a lot of people are going to be happy with this. He’s a great actor and could nail the personality of Joel, but the change of appearance of the character my turn a lot of people off.
r0njeremy
r0njeremy - 2/10/2021, 2:32 PM
@Murderisbadong - so your saying his work like true detective or house of cards or benjamin button or cottonmouth on luke cage and not to mention his 2 academy award winner or thats he is blade ,,, but people are going to be mad because he's black then people need to grow up live the modern times for real.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 2/10/2021, 2:21 PM
Tom Holland and Mahershala Ali. Not only do they get to play some of the best Marvel heroes in the best Marvel live-action franchise but now possibly 2 of the best protagonists from Sony exclusives catalogue? 2 kings.
Joshmosh98
Joshmosh98 - 2/10/2021, 2:35 PM
@MCUKnight11 - keep the MCU Sony video game adaption ball rolling, Bautista for Kratos next please
Matador
Matador - 2/10/2021, 6:33 PM
@Joshmosh98 - I think Bautista is holding out for Marcus Phoenix
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 2/10/2021, 2:22 PM
As long as he has a beard.
Bluesman
Bluesman - 2/10/2021, 2:22 PM
I'm down for Ali. The game sequel was kind of a let down but here's hoping for HBO.
Spawnnn
Spawnnn - 2/10/2021, 2:29 PM
@Bluesman - I thought it was a way better work. I mean, I love the first game, but its still just a manipulative, cliche story.
Spidey91
Spidey91 - 2/10/2021, 2:23 PM
This isn't going to sit well with some people isn't it? 😶
Joshmosh98
Joshmosh98 - 2/10/2021, 2:36 PM
@Spidey91 - seeing some comments across social media and all I can say is....yikes
Himura
Himura - 2/10/2021, 5:05 PM
@Spidey91 - Gamers are among the bottom of the barrel when it comes to this stuff.
Matador
Matador - 2/10/2021, 6:35 PM
@Himura - I guess you didn't see what happened to GameStop
Himura
Himura - 2/11/2021, 1:35 AM
@Matador - GME is about money. "Gamers" in this context is entirely different.
Matador
Matador - 2/11/2021, 8:40 AM
@Himura - So you don't think Gamers dropped some cash as well?
asherman93
asherman93 - 2/10/2021, 2:26 PM
Hmmm... Not my first choice but I can dig it.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 2/10/2021, 2:26 PM
I’m all for it

Origame
Origame - 2/10/2021, 2:54 PM
@JFerguson - why's this a thing where people just put Joel's character model on famous performances? There's also the one with Antonio Banderas in assassins.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 2/10/2021, 3:54 PM
@Origame - Well the Antonio Banderas reaction one was actually animated and shared by Naughty Dog when they won Video Game studio of the year at the VGX awards.

As for the rest, I honestly have no clue lol
Spawnnn
Spawnnn - 2/10/2021, 2:27 PM
Such a great casting. Only Michael Cera as Shaft could top this.
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