Matthew McConaughey has confirmed that he was approached about playing Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us, but declined because he was concentrating on writing and did not want to commit to a potentially long-running television series. The comments clarify earlier remarks by co-creator Craig Mazin and underline that the decision reflected McConaughey’s priorities at the time, rather than dissatisfaction with the project.

McConaughey said he was doing little acting then and preferred the contained commitment of a single film to a series that could continue for years. Mazin had previously described their conversation as exploratory rather than a formal offer, while Pedro Pascal—an early preferred choice—ultimately took the role after quickly responding to the script. The first season was widely praised, whereas the second received a more mixed response; a third and final season is planned.