Key Takeaways:
– Pedro Pascal received criticism for his role in ‘The Last of Us' for his inability to grow the same beard as his character.
– Despite initial skepticism, the show and its cast have earned widespread acclaim and nominations.
– Showrunners plan for multiple seasons to fully explore the game's narrative.
– The fate of future seasons depends on audience reception and viewership.
“Critics Question Pedro Pascal's Beard in The Last of Us”
When actor Pedro Pascal was announced as the lead in the TV adaptation of the popular video game ‘The Last of Us', fans were surprised. Not because of his talent. But because some doubted his ability to grow a beard that matched his character. Yes, you read that right. Pascal was criticized for not being able to grow a beard like his character, Joel. This strange piece of news was shared by series showrunner, Craig Mazin, who spoke about the unusual controversy.
Fans' Strange Reservations
Landing a role in ‘The Last of Us', one of the most acclaimed video games in recent years, is no small achievement. But Pascal, known for his brilliant performances in other productions, faced criticism over his facial hair, or lack of it. Mazin revealed that many fans of the original game were skeptical about Pascal's ability to grow a beard like Joel's. “That's a serious deal-breaker for them,” he said, emphasizing the expectations fans had for the show.
Effect of the Criticism
Within this surreal environment, the doubt surrounding Pascal's casting stirred the actor himself. He expressed his concerns, coupled with the challenges of the show, in an interview. “Long hours, rough material, and we were both scared about meeting people's expectations,” Pascal said, referring to his own and co-star Bella Ramsey's apprehensions.
Overcoming the Skepticism
Over time, both the show and its cast proved the skeptics wrong. They delivered praiseworthy performances that even earned them Emmy nominations. Regardless of the strange criticism regarding Pascal's beard, the impact on screen validated his selection as Joel.
Future of The Show
On another exciting note, the fans can anticipate more of ‘The Last Of Us'. Pascal and Ramsey are set to return for Season 2 in 2025. Showrunners, Mazin, and Neil Druckmann, even hinted at a third season in a recent interview. They plan to use multiple seasons to delve deeply into the game's narrative.
In their words, “The story material that we got from Part II of the game is way more than the story material that was in the first game, so part of what we had to do from the start was figure out how to tell that story across seasons”. Moreover, they believe it will be tough to wrap up the narrative in Season 2. Hence, a potential Season 3 could be larger and might even lead to further seasons.
Despite the plans, the future of the show beyond two seasons is uncertain. It hinges on the reception from the audience and viewership numbers. We can hope that the controversies and criticism will only fuel the anticipation and excitement for the following seasons. For now, fans can stream ‘The Last of Us' on Max.
