The Last of Us Abby Actress Kaitlyn Dever Reveals She Almost Played Ellie

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Initially, Kaitlyn Dever was considered for the role of Ellie, opposite her character Abby, in a different version of “The Last of Us” based on the PlayStation game. The characters of Ellie and Joel are crucial elements that significantly contribute to the story’s impact. Their relationship serves as the foundation for both games, and if the audience doesn’t connect with it, the entire narrative would fall apart. Fortunately, they cast Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson for these key roles, resulting in some of the most moving performances in gaming history.

In the beginning, the narrative from the first “The Last of Us” game attracted significant interest from Hollywood, prompting an immediate greenlight for its adaptation. Initially, plans were set for a film adaption, but over time, this morphed into a TV series on HBO. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey were chosen for the main roles, leading to a critically acclaimed TV show. Despite its popularity, some fans have voiced criticisms towards “The Last of Us” TV show, particularly regarding Bella Ramsey’s casting as Ellie. They argue that she doesn’t closely resemble the original character. This debate has sparked among the fanbase, but it’s worth noting that Ramsey wasn’t the only actress considered for the live-action role of Ellie.

The Last of Us Season 2 Star Kaitlyn Dever Talks About Nearly Playing Ellie

It’s interesting to know that Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays Abby in The Last of Us Season 2, came incredibly close to playing Ellie in the film adaptation. The movie version of The Last of Us was initially planned over a decade ago when Dever was around her mid-to-late teenage years, making her an ideal choice for the role. Fans often imagined Dever as Ellie, and it appears she almost became the character. In a podcast interview on Happy, Sad, Confused, Dever revealed that although she never officially signed any contracts to play Ellie, she did a table read for the movie and had in-depth discussions with creator Neil Druckmann.

Dever shared, “Being involved in that discussion when I was young was incredibly thrilling, it truly seemed like a major event.” He went on to describe the memorable moments from that time, such as visiting Naughty Dog and strolling around with Neil while he demonstrated game creation. These specific details are still vivid in his memory. In retrospect, they only had two meetings, but the second one stands out because Neil showed him early stages of The Last of Us 2. This is surprising given that I’ve been keeping this secret for a long time. Although I didn’t play Ellie, it wasn’t guaranteed, I was eager to know him and learn from him. We had just one table read, and that was the extent of our progress in the process.”

Despite The Last of Us movie not panning out as expected, I’m thankful for the chance it gave me to join the discussion and ultimately landed me the role in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. I only got to briefly embody Cassie Drake, Nathan Drake’s daughter, during the game’s epilogue. Now, everything seems to have come full circle as I step into the shoes of Abby, a character who bears a striking resemblance to Ellie from The Last of Us in its second season.

In the end, it seems like everything turned out favorably since Dever truly shines in The Last of Us Season 2. ComicBook commended her acting in their review of the second season, pointing out that she skillfully conveys empathy and vulnerability through her character’s anger.

The review states that the portrayal of Dever’s character Abby in comparison to her video game counterpart was easier to connect with emotionally. Her interpretation emphasizes the character’s vulnerability, showing that her unrelenting anger stems from deep sadness and past trauma. It suggests that she is not merely a cold-blooded killer or destructive force, but rather someone who is almost venting her emotions through violence and fury. Interestingly enough, Ellie also mirrors this dynamic, creating a sense of symmetry between the two characters, which makes their story feel almost poetic.

In the already verified Season 3 of “The Last of Us,” it’s anticipated that Kaitlyn Dever will reprise her role as Abby, but no specific release date or timeframe has been announced yet. Some fans wonder if Kaitlyn Dever would have made a good Ellie or if she is more suited for the character of Abby. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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2025-04-29 01:40