‘The Last Of Us’: Mahershala Ali Offered The Role Of Joel In HBO Series

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter has debunked this report revealing Ali passed on the role.

It looks like HBO has narrowed down its search for Joel. According to The Illuminerdi, Mahershala Ali has been offered the lead role in HBO’s upcoming The Last of Us series.

Released in 2013, the game’s story is an enthralling journey that centers around the relationship between protagonists Joel and Ellie, a hardened survivor who lost his daughter in the initial outbreak and a teenager whose blood could be the key to finding a cure. The Last of Us received global critical acclaim and won several Game of the Year awards from different publications.

READ: ‘Harry Potter’ Series Reportedly In Early Development At HBO Max

Ali is a bit of a divergence from the character in the games, but given his rise to stardom in Hollywood, it makes sense HBO would court such a big name. Neither HBO nor Ali have commented on the news, so fans should wait for further updates for now.

It was first announced in March of 2020 that HBO was developing the series alongside Sony Pictures Television. The series is reportedly the first of many future projects from the studio.

Would you like to see Mahershala Ali as Joel in The Last of Us? Who would you like to see play Ellie? Let us know in the comments below!

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