HBO is adapting the hit video game The Last of Us into a television series, and fans of the franchise have instantly taken to the internet to express who they want to see play Joel and Ellie. The creator of Chernobyl Craig Mazin is set to helm the project, making it clear that the studio wants this series to be a success. With such a popular team behind the scenes, there is a solid chance that there will be popular actors in front of the camera, so here are just a few that could give life to Joel.
1. Hugh Jackman
Embed from Getty ImagesThe leading option among most The Last of Us fans seems to be Hugh Jackman, and for good reason. The relationship between Wolverine and X-23 in Logan is almost exactly like the one between Joel and Ellie, and Jackman made up with grey hair and age spots bears a striking resemblance to the video game character. Whether he would do it or not remains to be seen, but if he were to sign on to the project, Jackaman would be sure to make the series a hit.
2. Gerard Butler
Embed from Getty ImagesAmong all the actors on this list, Gerard Butler possesses the most uncanny resemblance to Joel. He always looks gruff, disgruntled, and unkempt, not to mention all of the experience with action roles he has under his belt. Butler is another A-list actor that may or may not be interested in doing television, but if he would, then a series of this magnitude would be exactly what coaxes him into it.
3. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Embed from Getty ImagesNikolaj Coster-Waldau has a huge leg up on his competition, because not only does he have the perfect facial features for the character because he is already a member of the HBO family. Being one of the breakout stars from Game of Thrones makes it twice as likely for Coster-Waldau to work with the studio yet again, with this opportunity being the perfect one to do so. While Jaime Lannister was a pompous pretty boy, he had a huge change in character once he lost his hand, showing just how much range and gruff Nikolaj could bring to Joel.
4. Anson Mount
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile he may not be a name brand actor like the rest of this list, Anson Mount has starred in many of his own television shows and has been a quality action star in almost all of them. From Hell on Wheels to Inhumans, Mount has played almost every character imaginable, while also displaying an extraordinary amount of grit in his characters. He may not be a popular star that the internet wants to play Joel, but the fact remains that he will do the character just as much justice in The Last of Us show.
5. Joe Manganiello
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Manganiello has one major difference from everyone else on this list, and that is size. While he certainly looks the part and could undoubtedly act as good as anyone else in the role, he is so much bigger than Joel is in the video game. On the other hand, Manganiello is a member of the HBO family, being perhaps the most notable breakout star from True Blood, is more than enough of a household name to put eyes on the project, and bears a striking likeness to Joel’s facial features from the video game, making the pros of his casting far outway the cons.