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Mahershala Ali Was Reportedly Almost Cast As Joel In 'The Last Of Us'

Imogen Mellor

Published 

Mahershala Ali Was Reportedly Almost Cast As Joel In 'The Last Of Us'

Featured Image Credit: Mahershala Ali (Via Twitter) / Naughty Dog

If you're not already aware of The Last of Us news that came out this morning but Pedro Pascal, star of The Mandalorian and Wonder Woman 1984 has officially been cast as Joel. Ellie has also been cast and will be played by Game of Throne's Bella Ramsey, and now we have our duo. The father-daughter relationship of these two is going to be the central focus of HBO's interpretation of the games and we can't wait to see these two brilliant actors in action.

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However, there was for a moment last night, rumours that another actor entirely was being cast as Joel. In the dead of night, another name came forward as a rumoured lead - Mahershala Ali.

Reports like the one from The Illuminaerdi reported that Mahershala Ali had been offered the role of Joel in the HBO series. Although he was one of the possible picks, according to THR, during the casting process, a deal wasn't ever made and he moved on from the role.

Ali has stared in so many high profile TV shows and films, it's hard to know where to start. From Oscar award-winning Moonlight to the MCU's Luke Cage. From True Detective to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Ali has worked in every sort of role and fans were really interested in seeing him play Joel.

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Although we know now that this was not meant to be, and the great Pedro Pascal is solidly cast as Joel, we can't help but wonder the unique differences to what Ali would have brought to the role in an alternative universe. Would Bella Ramsey have been his Ellie too? Or would there have been a different young woman selected for the joint lead?

So many questions that will go unanswered. But right now we're just still celebrating the fact we get to see Pascal be a dad again. That dude has so much babysitting between Ellie and Baby Yoda these days.

Topics: News, TV, The Last Of Us

Imogen Mellor
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