Matthew McConaughey has confirmed that he was approached by showrunner Craig Mazin to star as Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us. The actor ultimately declined the role, citing a desire to focus on writing and a general hesitation toward the long-term commitment required by television series at that time.
While Mazin noted that the initial conversation wasn’t a formal offer, he praised McConaughey as an incredible actor. The role eventually went to Pedro Pascal, whose performance has since become a defining element of the critically acclaimed series.