The Last of Us S3 Troubles Loom if Pedro Pascal Exits

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Warning! The information that follows contains major plot reveals for the game The Last of Us Part II and the upcoming series The Last of Us. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!

Summary

  • Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel in Season 1 was faithful and emotional, crucial to HBO’s marketing success.
  • Flashbacks in Season 2 will likely incorporate key moments from the game, potentially impacting future seasons.
  • Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie in Season 1 could lead to her becoming the new face of the franchise.

As the release date for Season 2 of “The Last of Us” approaches on April 13, fans are growing increasingly anxious about the emotionally charged scene involving Joel and Abby. Given how impactful that scene was for gamers, watching Joel’s heart-wrenching demise on TV is bound to be even more harrowing for HBO. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Joel in Season 1 closely mirrored Troy Baker’s character from the games and he even displayed a deeper emotional depth, shedding tears when conversing with his brother Tommy. Moreover, Pascal is not only an exceptionally talented actor but also a high-profile celebrity adored by many online.

In Season 1 of The Last of Us, much of its financial success can be attributed to Pascal’s presence and image, which HBO utilized extensively in their promotional campaigns. This trend continues for Season 2, as Joel is prominently displayed in all the trailers. There appears to be a greater focus on his character development this time around. The audience gets glimpses of Joel attending therapy sessions and instructing an unidentified child from Jackson on how to use a map. These characters do not appear in the original game, suggesting that they have been added to provide additional emotional layers to Joel’s character as the story is reimagined.

It seems evident that HBO values Pedro Pascal’s fame and has been making full use of it. Yet, it appears almost certain, as stated by the show’s creator Craig Mazin, that The Last of Us Part II will span multiple television seasons. Unfortunately, this might imply that Joel, played by Pedro Pascal, won’t survive beyond Season 2, which could pose a challenge for HBO in future seasons of The Last of Us, as they may need to find a way to keep the character involved if they wish to continue featuring him.

The Joel And Ellie Flashbacks Are The Emotional Core Of The Story

In the early stages of the game, Joel meets a sad fate, but his character returns during moments when Ellie reminisces about their past between the first and second installments. As a player, you’re able to revisit these memories as engaging flashbacks, which often provided heartwarming contrasts amidst Ellie’s brutal vengeance journey. These flashbacks offer glimpses into the bond between Joel and Ellie, reminiscent of their interactions in the initial game.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate how skillfully the creators have chosen to keep us invested in the story post-Joel’s demise. Much like they plan to employ flashbacks to maintain Pedro Pascal’s presence in future promotions for the TV show, I believe that this strategy could be equally effective here.

However, it seems that the trailers are heavily leaning on scenes reminiscent of these flashbacks, suggesting that we might witness these events unfold in the upcoming season. Already, glimpses of Ellie’s birthday adventure, her discovery about the fireflies, and even the poignant scene of Joel playing guitar on his porch have been revealed to us, the audience.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I find myself contemplating the intriguing final flashback sequence in Season 2 of this captivating series. While it seems HBO might be expediting their use of flashback scenes, it also hints at revealing the climactic scene of the game, potentially wrapping up the story. However, based on cryptic remarks from Craig Mazin, such an ending appears highly improbable. Instead, I speculate that the showrunners may rearrange the order of these flashbacks or even introduce new ones to maintain the engagement of devoted Joel fans like myself.

Bella Ramsey Could Be The New Face Of The Franchise

In Season 2, making Joel’s character more complex and central could be a way of honoring him before the storyline shifts towards Bella Ramsey’s Ellie in the future. Although Ellie is the main character in “The Last of Us Part II” game, she doesn’t appear as prominently in the trailers as Joel does. This unexpected move might be due to marketing strategies. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that we only have marketing materials at our disposal right now. The true focus and characters highlighted in Season 2 are still undecided.

In the first season, Bella Ramsey’s portrayal of Ellie captured fans who were familiar with the game, as she skillfully conveyed Ellie’s rebellious and youthful essence. Before starring in The Last of Us, Ramsey was already a known name, having appeared on Game of Thrones. However, it was this role that truly brought her into the spotlight. It’s likely that Ramsey’s fame will continue to grow with her performance as Ellie in Season 2, potentially reaching heights comparable to Pedro Pascal, thereby addressing any potential marketing challenges for HBO.

In any manner HBO chooses to narrate the storyline from ‘The Last of Us Part II’, it’s essential they judiciously employ flashback sequences for maximum impact and viewer interest, while still providing ample material for numerous episodes in a television series. It’s also pivotal that they devote appropriate attention to Ellie’s character growth, allowing Bella Ramsey to flourish as the leading figure in the ‘The Last of Us’ franchise.

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2025-04-05 22:24