Renowned for his versatility and depth, Hugh Jackman has delivered powerful performances across various genres and has recently been in conversation for reprising his role as Wolverine in Deadpool 3. However, there also remains a character that he could have potentially done exceptionally well. And it becomes especially evident with his performance in the Oscar-nominated film Prisoners.
The 2013 crime thriller follows a father’s desperate search for his missing daughter and her friend, leading him to take matters into his own hands when the investigation stalls. Jackman’s compelling portrayal in this film underscores his potential to deliver a remarkable performance as Joel, perhaps even surpassing Pedro Pascal’s take on the character.
Hugh Jackman’s Prisoners Performance Makes a Strong Case for Him to Lead The Last of Us
Taking on the role of Joel in the live-action adaptation of The Last of Us, Pedro Pascal won over millions of fans of the original game and critics, portraying a grieving man battling inner demons in this gripping drama.
The actor was cast in the role due to his ability to portray vulnerable and tortured characters, and he delivered a truly brilliant performance. However, it could have potentially been a lot better with the Oscar-nominated actor Hugh Jackman embodying the character, especially considering his performance in Prisoners.
Jackman’s performance as Keller Dover in Prisoners showcases his immense emotional depth and ability to convey raw, unfiltered anger, which resonates deeply with Joel Miller’s character in The Last of Us.
The crime thriller also allows the actor to convey a father’s overwhelming desperation and willingness to push the boundaries for the sake of his loved ones, which parallels Joel’s stoic behavior and fierce protectiveness in a post-apocalyptic world.
Joel, who has been toughened by the loss of his daughter and the cruel realities of a collapsing society, requires an actor who can embody both vulnerability and determination. The Prisoners star’s performance in the film showcases his ability to portray complex emotional situations and intense conflict.
And his ability to evoke empathy and convey the weight of frustration and anger is clear in suggesting that Jackman could have delivered a powerful and nuanced interpretation of Joel. And it could have offered a different, yet equally compelling perspective on the character.
Fans Did Want to See Hugh Jackman Embody Joel Miller in The Last of Us
While Pedro Pascal earned widespread acclaim for his performance in the HBO adaptation of the popular game, his casting as Joel Miller initially faced some criticism from fans. Fans of the game had their own preferences for who should play the intense character in the live-action version.
The Logan star was among the top contenders and was seen as a strong fit for the role due to his similar age and striking resemblance to Joel, as well as his proven acting prowess. Apart from Prisoners, Jackman also demonstrated his ability to handle such complex roles in Logan.
The film follows him as a similar character, as he escorts a young girl, mirroring the dynamic seen in the HBO drama. And it is quite evident that the X-Men star could have closely embodied the character as depicted in the original game series.
However, the showrunners eventually decided to move ahead with Pascal and Bella Ramsey in the lead roles. Although many remained unsatisfied with their casting and performance, they earned critical acclaim for their performance in the show, even earning an Emmy nomination each.
Both Pascal and Ramsey are set to return in the next season of the show, the production for which is currently underway. The next season is also expected to introduce several new characters alongside Joel and Ellie.
Prisoners is available to stream on Prime Video.
The Last of Us is available to stream on Max.
