Joe Pantoliano Joins The Last of Us Cast as Unseen Character from the Game

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In The Last of Us game, Frank’s character was merely portrayed as a corpse. However, the TV series expanded on this by dedicating an entire episode to Frank and also provided a unique narrative for his partner, Bill, offering a more comprehensive backstory for these characters.

In April, we’re anticipating the arrival of the second season, and although some modifications may occur, it seems a character not present in the original game could show up in Season 2.

Joe Pantoliano Joins The Last of Us

According to Variety, actor Joe Pantoliano, known for his roles in “The Matrix” and “Memento”, has signed on for “The Last of Us Season 2”. His character is named Eugene, but details about his role are still unclear. However, Neil Druckmann, the game’s director, has hinted that Eugene’s part will be more substantial in the series compared to the original game. Excited about this development, Druckmann said, “I’m looking forward to getting to know Eugene better… The story we told (in the game) was only a small part of who he is.

What Was Eugene’s Role in the Game?

In The Last of Us Part II’s narrative, it’s worth noting that Eugene had passed away at 73, an unusual occurrence as he succumbed to a stroke – one of the rare instances of a natural death in this post-apocalyptic setting.

Ellie and Dina find themselves discussing Eugene, a past Firefly who had a friendly rapport with Dina. Somehow, their conversation leads them to his laboratory, which happens to be where he cultivates cannabis.

Instead of resurrecting Eugene and making him a vibrant character in Jackson, the series might choose to utilize his character to delve deeper into his background – perhaps shedding additional light on the Fireflies.

According to legend, Eugene actually had a spouse and child whom he abandoned when he joined the Fireflies. It’s been rumored that Eugene carried out violent acts alongside Tommy as part of the organization prior to their departure from the group and eventual arrival in Jackson.

It seems like we have a sufficient amount of material here that could form an entire episode, providing a detailed exploration of the Fireflies’ inner workings, and perhaps shedding light on Tommy’s past as well.

Creative Liberties

Previously noted, the series skillfully develops a character initially confined to one dimension into a fully-fleshed out role. Unlike in the original game where players first encounter Frank after his suicide, leaving a bitter note for Bill, the show overhauls their narrative. It dedicates an entire episode to portraying the highs and lows of Frank and Bill’s relationship, their survival journey during the apocalypse, and how their story unfolds beyond just Frank’s grim initial introduction.

In regards to Eugene’s situation, there seems to be plenty of opportunity for more details about his background given his affiliation with the Fireflies, a significant group throughout the storyline. It could be intriguing if they develop his character to have known Abby’s father and perhaps even been privy to his plans for creating a cure.

Before the series premieres, eager fans can only anticipate with bated breath. Here’s hoping that creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann continue their impressive work.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max this April.

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2025-03-06 20:01