Pedro Pascal’s Shocking Last of Us Exit: Co-Creator Says “He’s in Everything Else”—What’s Next for the Star?
Pedro Pascal's roles post-Last of Us continue to captivate, as fans eagerly anticipate his upcoming projects and performances.
Pedro Pascal‘s roles after The Last of Us exit have become a focal point among fans, especially after the recent and unexpected on-screen death of his character, Joel, in the hit series’ second season. The pivotal moment, which aired during the season’s second episode, took place amidst a flurry of fan discussion and set social media abuzz with questions about the reasons and emotional impact behind Joel’s shocking end.
Behind the Scenes: Creators Address Fan Backlash and Their Decisions
Series co-creator Craig Mazin, speaking at Variety’s
“A Night in the Writers’ Room”
in Los Angeles, addressed the difficult choice of following the video game storyline that inspired The Last of Us, even though it meant killing a beloved lead character so early. Mazin described feeling pressure following Pedro Pascal’s performance, admitting,
“He did a thing. Everyone lost their s—, and then I had to do that same thing, because he did the thing, I loved doing the thing, I thought it was great,”
—Craig Mazin, Co-Creator
Despite Mazin and Neil Druckmann’s faithfulness to the original game, the strong emotional response from viewers has at times intensified into anger and substantial criticism, amplified by the turbulent reactions echoing online and in interviews.
Mazin humorously attempted to reassure fans:
“The big complaint that I’ve gotten is, ‘Why did you kill Pedro Pascal?’ And I keep explaining, we didn’t kill him! He’s a man, he’s alive. He’s fine. And he’s in literally everything else. So I don’t know what the problem is!”
—Craig Mazin, Co-Creator
Pedro Pascal and Family React to Joel’s End
Pedro Pascal himself admitted to Entertainment Weekly that he struggles with the fate of his character. Describing his emotional turmoil, Pascal revealed,
“I realize this more and more as I get older, I find myself slipping into denial that anything is over. I know that I’m forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on The Last of Us,”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
“And, no, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because it makes me sad.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
This sense of loss isn’t limited to the fans and star. Pascal’s sister, Lux, shared with lighthearted exasperation that she found witnessing her brother’s on-screen deaths deeply unsettling, given his fate in several high-profile roles like Game of Thrones and Equalizer 2:
Image of: Pedro Pascal
“not the first time he’s done it to me, it’s not the second time he’s done it to me. I think it’s the fourth time he’s done it to me. Because how many deaths has he had? Game of Thrones, Equalizer 2, The Last of Us — each is more violent than the other…. Seeing my brother die that way, I didn’t like it at all.”
—Lux Pascal, Sister
Pascal’s Expanding Portfolio in Film and TV
Craig Mazin’s half-joking assertion that Pascal is “in literally everything else” rings true, as the Chilean-born actor’s career is busier than ever despite Joel’s departure. Pascal was recently spotted promoting Ari Aster’s film Eddington at the prestigious Cannes film festival, drawing attention from audiences and critics alike. Further cementing his bi-continental appeal, Pascal’s next movie, Celine Song’s Materialists, in which he stars alongside Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans, premiered in theaters this Friday.
Adding to his impressive resume, Pascal will step into the Marvel universe as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, hitting theaters on July 23. He is also set to reprise that role in Avengers: Doomsday, broadening his connection to popular franchises and underscoring his versatility.
Looking Ahead: The Lasting Impact and What the Future Holds
The intense emotions surrounding Pedro Pascal’s roles after The Last of Us exit reflect just how deeply fans and colleagues are invested in his characters. With projects spanning major studios and film festivals, and his name now connected with iconic roles and memorable dramatic departures, Pascal remains a central figure in today’s entertainment world. As viewers adjust to Joel’s absence, all eyes are on Pascal’s future performances and what fresh dimensions he will bring to his continually expanding career.
