Matthew McConaughey has shared that he was in discussions to play Joel Miller in HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us but ultimately passed on the role.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, McConaughey stated that while he considered the offer seriously, it did not align with his priorities at the time. "I wasn't really acting at that point," he explained, noting that he was focusing more on writing and leadership roles in his life. Despite this, he admitted to being "really excited" about the project. He acknowledged the strong relationship he had with showrunner Craig Mazin, recalling their successful collaboration on the first season of True Detective.
McConaughey expressed reservations about the significant time commitment that a successful television series often demands. "In success, this is something you'll be doing for years and years and years," he said, indicating concern over the long-term obligation. While the exact duration of his potential involvement in The Last of Us is unclear, especially given potential plot developments for the character Joel, McConaughey ultimately felt the opportunity "just wasn't for me at the time."
Pedro Pascal was ultimately cast as Joel and has received widespread acclaim for his performance in the role. ![Left: Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us TV show. Right: Matthew McConaughey attends "The Lost Bus" UK Special Screening at Curzon Mayfair on September 28, 2025 in London, England.]( "Left: Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us TV show. Right: Matthew McConaughey attends "The Lost Bus" UK Special Screening at Curzon Mayfair on September 28, 2025 in London, England.")