‘The Last of Us’: Original Joel Actor Troy Baker Talks Playing a Cannibal in the Show and Passing the Baton to Pedro Pascal
06.03.2023 - 06:03
/ variety.com
Katcy Stephan SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers from Episode 8 of “The Last of Us,” now streaming on HBO Max. Troy Baker has been at the center of the “Last of Us” universe for a decade. The esteemed voice actor originated the role of grizzly survivalist Joel Miller in the 2013 game and its sequel in 2020. When HBO’s series adaptation was announced, Baker didn’t expect to be a part of it. “If there was a role for me, then I would have been happy. But if not, I was completely content to just be an observer for this onel,” he says. Luckily, co-showrunner Neil Druckmann, who is also the co-creator of the game, had a role in mind for him.
Baker navigates Episode 8, “When We Are in Need,” as James, the right-hand man of cannibalistic cult leader David (Scott Shepherd). Speaking to Variety ahead of the episode’s premiere, Baker broke down how he felt about Pedro Pascal’s performance as Joel and what it was like to assume a new role.
When did you first find out you’d be part of the series, and how did you feel about being cast as James? Neil and [co-showrunner Craig Mazin] had been incredibly gracious. It was an unexpected surprise. And I’ve been graciously welcomed now to the table of this extended family that we now have. Neil came to me like, “Dude, we’ve got a role for you” I’m like, “No shit!” He said, “Dude, you get to play James!” And I’m like, “Oh my God, dude…who is James?” And it was like, “Oh, it’s buddy boy! Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.” I thought I was gonna get a walk-on role. And then I got the script, and I was like, “Oh, there’s meat here.” Pardon the pun. I got this opportunity to challenge myself. I’ve gotten very adept to walking onto a performance capture stage and acting inside of that