Why Troy Baker Didn’t Play Joel or David in The Last of Us

Troy Baker speaks with IGN about his appearance in last week's episode of The Last of Us on HBO, where he discusses how he got involved in the show after voicing Joel in the video game; as well as that scene from the episode.
#IGN

[@dzikuz991]

Casting voice actors from the game even for cameos or easter eggs is a very nice thing, for both fans and actors, kudos

[@FDunne]

He wasn't just a voice actor. They motion captured all the cut scenes

[@user-fy3nf3lg2j]

Because he simply didn’t get the job

[@Soriddo_Suneku]

So happy to see him in the show.

[@population-_-420]

Liar

[@samuelesquivel6202]

​@@population-_-420yep, just like the way he lied to us about the game

[@DomicidalCovers]

@@samuelesquivel6202 Care to elaborate??

[@mobilegamingsaga498]

Troy Baker has every right to get involved in the show.

[@gregory3499]

Not if the show didnt want him.

[@jingleballs9935]

Honestly

[@Noah-so4wn]

@@gregory3499 he was in the show..?

[@yatokami2449]

@@Noah-so4wn he's buddy boy in episode 8

[@Kevinschart]

every right? do you know what the word "right" means?

[@bbridge7629]

troy & pedro, both, are amazing actors. love their performance!!

[@khamitzhanova]

The scene where David questions James' loyalty - man. Top notch acting, Troy. Looking forward to see the extended version of your character's death, it was too short!

[@Starrider.]

So you want to see Troy Baker die slowly?

[@ijohnathonwhite8002]

Same, and that part got me too.

[@AnchorShip]

idk why this made me laugh

[@Zealant]

@@AnchorShip bc someone is asking for an extended death of someone they just commended

[@NekoEnforcer]

He looked like 20 years older in the show

[@brusschain5769]

Seeing him aged like that made me feel old. Glad he doesn't actually look that old 😅

[@joshleblanc9803]

Yeah he actually looked his age lol. We forget the guy is 46 years old 😮

[@Hathur]

Troy wears a fair bit of product to increase his youthful appearance. However he is close to 50 now in RL - in the show he just looked closer to his actual age.

[@yohanespaskal9352]

That's what eating human do to you

[@benardpoernomo]

​@@yohanespaskal9352good one

[@jaboyd74]

Troy's dedication to this role and this story is so beautiful.

[@mrxanman4673]

Great hearing Troy's take. Love the game. Love the show.

[@josepheligarcia]

Troy Bakers explanation of this is brilliant. What a awesome cherry-on-top for this whole series.

[@Rqblt]

Kinda wish Troy baker played a role as a settler in Jackson then he would’ve been a recurring character for the next season

[@lrom5445]

Yes, or they didn't kill off his character and he could come back as a bad guy later.

[@corrd3ll647]

You gonna be ok?😢

[@bounty1402]

he can come back as a clicker

[@ElPayasoMalo]

They should re-cast him as Seth or Eugene.

[@rank1132]

The podcasts after every show with Troy, Neil & Craig are brilliant.

[@Elibbb-sx3kg]

Impressive now, let's see Paul Allen's interview

[@codaboggs8430]

Divide it and give it to the last person

[@juicebaux]

I'm loving this trend

[@unseenorheard]

I'm out the loop. What's this about?

[@dhoyft411]

@@unseenorheard American Psycho. Business card scene

[@perrydaplatipus]

Very nice

[@gpeddino]

The performances and the plot make it seem that maybe James would have been a better leader for that community. He seems conflicted but unfortunately he's also under David's spell.

[@henryreyes687]

Great acting is great acting - that is Troy Baker!

[@lassmirandadennsiewillja3943]

In Germany he is dubbed with Joels voice from the game.

[@buddyfett1341]

Germans doing it right

[@aidalf1912]

Germany knows what's up

[@mallaothman]

Troy Baker will always be in the heart 🤩

[@memphasio1969]

Wish they had an extra episode to flush them out even more but overall it was freaking fantastic! Can't wait for the finale.

[@gyanballoon]

This guy is intertwined with pretty much everyone's childhood memories. Keep being awesome, Much ❤ Troy.

[@Joe-zx7bf]

This guy is one of the best voice actors If not the best

[@Mavrick7410]

Funny to see Mortal Kombat being played behind Troy. Nice nod.

[@silashurd3597]

Well he is involved with MK so it makes sense

[@pnut3844able]

​@@silashurd3597 who does he voice

[@invalidname182]

@@pnut3844able Erron Black

[@silashurd3597]

@@pnut3844able he voiced Erron Black and Shinnok in MK11

[@greytitude1393]

Let's thank venison for bringing troy into the series

[@RealTalkAlexV]

Wow he bounced around that last question real nice 😂

[@Al-kd6hv]

So glad they made it into a show and not a movie. So far, it’s amazing. (In my opinion)

[@chrisking9700]

The show could have been so much more though. Such a shame they forced their PC agendas. That first game is a masterclass.

[@izmik6489]

@@chrisking9700 delusional

[@jerrypokemans1766]

@@izmik6489 episode 3 was whack ngl and the pacing is a bit weird a times.

[@chrisking9700]

@@izmik6489 Hard to be delusional when it's pretty much confirmed it is.

[@izmik6489]

@@chrisking9700 case in point

[@yandhigaming420]

His voice is incredible and he deserves it, without a doubt got a sad death tho 😂😭

[@yousif467]

Bro died twice

[@kareningram6093]

Looking forward to the extended cut of your death scene, Troy! Look at that. "Extended cut." These puns just write themselves.

[@sonyaputri9589]

Nice joke!

[@bradenbmw]

Seems like an awesome guy tbh really cares about the game and show

[@sshep86]

This is a really well edited video.

[@jamiexxi]

I’d love to hear from Ashley Johnson as well in a similar interview

[@GroovySquiddo]

Has she appeared already?

[@jamiexxi]

@@GroovySquiddo She’s playing Ellie’s mom in the finale

[@iragbag]

Tory Baker is so eloquent and truly understood the world that he was a part of! ❤

[@jarraddesmond7987]

Im gonna go with that his involment in being the games main charater voice actor lead him to it?

[@veronicazaviyalova]

He does look like David more than the guy who plays David in the show

[@SteveBonario]

Looking forward to playing it on PC very soon!

[@reekhavoc2932]

Same! Uncharted was great! Returnal is great! HZD is great! Bring this on!

[@RageQuittersUKOfficial]

MK2 playing in the background. :) Loved this episode.

[@p0tat0_Child]

He was playing Mortal Kombat 2 before the interview lol You can see the game on the left side by the piano

[@vanillehermes]

he is so eloquent

[@terry.1428]

The show is amazing. Makes me want to play the game.

[@gorgi__]

the show is great but the game will always be superior, its a different kind of storytelling and its hella fun

[@pranav5788]

​@@gorgi__ Nobody will remember or care about the game once the show is done

[@zalii3306]

​@@pranav5788 ???

[@pnut3844able]

​@@pranav5788 lmao wrong

[@kindabatooni9314]

The game is phenomenal. You should play it!

[@annebennington]

He killed it as James

[@user-604kingz]

love the mortal kombat 2 playing in the background

[@errninngg9594]

Buddy boiiiii

[@christophergongora7885]

I’m more dumbfounded why William Earl Brown wasn’t offered to reprise as Bill he looks just like him.

[@tylertheguy3160]

Yeah totally. The guy is a pretty underrated actor in general as well.

[@elliotjames1273]

Love W Earl Brown. He’s a real talent, Deadwood, Something About Mary. Heck his guest appearance on Justified was one of the best episodes of the whole show.

[@jeancaceres7670]

Amazing voice!

[@BleuBayu]

Troy Baker is the goat... He is a really great actor, voice, expression...

[@direxps3]

Troy Baker is such a great person! Oh, let's not forget Nolan North as well! 💙🔥

[@petermulder7480]

What if the series becomes a mega hit, can they follow part 2 as a script ? Or can they change the story for more season's? And can there be a season 3 before the next game ?

[@valentineyves]

There's a season 2 coming!!

[@kevinsuarezmacena1003]

Neil doesn't want that the series arc continues beyond Part 2 material supposedly. They don't want another "Game of Thrones"

[@giuf175]

@@kevinsuarezmacena1003 Well the difference is that Neil himself is involved so it wouldnt be another game of thrones

[@centraltimegamers2977]

He host the shows podcast as well.

[@stevehunt9051]

As well Troy should be. He IS The Last of Us

[@djonesthe21]

By being a buddy boy, duh

[@ryan80166]

She sounded like she had a speech impediment delivering those lines

[@djonesthe21]

@@ryan80166 she was purposely trying to change her voice to sound tough

[@sarno494]

@@ryan80166 It was probably really cold which can make it difficult to speak clearly.

[@lunatic5162]

​@@ryan80166 and you sound like you're 10 so?

[@ryan80166]

@@djonesthe21 by having a speech impediment????

[@donchichi117]

I'm glad they included him in TLOU

[@greatest03]

6:03 he sure does love doing a death scene ⛳️

[@hawkeyeplerce5238]

Shares how he got involved with it? Was being the voice actor of the main character in the video game directed by the same person this show is produced by how? Just a guess lol

[@newburger]

That's a nice guess, it would never crossed my mind.

[@cloverharvest1145]

It's not like the role is wasted on him the dude showes potential as an actor tbh

[@RandomTrX]

@@cloverharvest1145 he's already an actor for ages lol

[@joshdeveaux6936]

@@DeagleGamesTV a Micah actor is just as much an actor as a standard screenplay actor

[@carastone3473]

Because visually, he was best suited to the role he played. Simple.

[@rob2much315]

My boys voca game is impeccable 💪🏼

[@acnelson75]

Anyone else catch the Mortal Kombat 2 attract mode screens running behind him.

[@conecrazy]

The background music is distracting. :/

[@theqnotion]

Troy Baker gotta get a role of younger brother of Benedict Cumberbatch’s role

[@sloanNYC]

Troy did a great job, he should get more acting jobs if he wants them. The series went too fast, should have been 2-4 episodes longer!

[@Jealod24]

They obviously left a bunch on the editing room floor

[@MustafarRecRoom]

“Who’s James?” Lol….awesome.

[@mattsully2238]

Most screen adaptations of video game IPs take inspiration from and are more loosely based on their source material. TLOU has often (sometimes shot for shot) actually retold the video game story. I've heard directors of movies like the Uncharted movie say they didn't want to retell the same story. However, it turns out that's exactly what people want. This series is doing well and the other video game adaptations haven't.

[@tremaineKR]

The actor we have is amazing, Pedro is amazing as well. Rumors are, Pedro is going to do the Eddie Guerrero movie.

[@benficaM8888]

holy cow, he actually plays James IRL really well.,

[@fajaradi1223]

Dude forgot to break character

[@gachawangi7753]

how is he 46 years old? how do so many old people nowadays looks young

[@mirojone]

My sister works on television and so does her husband. Botox. They all get expensive, but well done Botox.

[@NewOrderOfAlexandria]

Bro, 46 is middle aged he ain't that *old* lol

[@spenzur]

Healthy lifestyle.

[@flux2956]

why do people nowadays think 40+ years old is an elderly

[@dereckjoshsimplicio888]

Ill play the game for the first time ever after the first series.

[@ChrisAlbertH47]

Troy Baker is a legend.

[@ChrisAlbertH47]

@@subtegral Are you projecting?

[@ChrisAlbertH47]

@@subtegral Grow up, kid

[@OtakuBenny2210]

Id love troy to play soild snake he would own it

[@nah9954]

He can act on AND off the screen.

[@campbellrocksagain]

No one tries this hard to stay alive

[@randomgeekcrap]

WHAT A LEGEND

[@DeathRecon]

Bro James was glossed over in the show too lmao. He had like three extra lines?

[@theawesomeduo54]

Why would he?

[@FourPK]

they just need to bring tiger woods the next season and it would be 10/10 for me

[@brandominoeffect]

Took my awhile to get this lol

[@JB-mb6lm]

lol

[@FilthEffect]

Oof

[@robsdianten1]

sad haha

[@NovakBIG]

Gj Troy !

[@Commtech72]

He looks like the Sherminator from American Pie.

[@KiyokoSa]

Because Pedro Pascal would've attracted more audiences and is HBOs golden boy.

[@LostinaMemory]

Troy Baker is the GOAT! Pedro Pascal is also the GOAT!

[@phoenixrising8231]

Our? Does Troy have stocks of the show.

[@xbilly_vedovelli1228]

_james_

[@owene2530]

He would've been perfect for David

[@JoeKnowsWorst]

The best casting on Earth would have been Ray McKinnon as David 😊

[@louisd6410]

Hollywood usually only cast big names, thats why

[@SixIsSickOG]

RELEASE THE BAKER CUT OF EP9 !!! 😡

[@pnut3844able]

Episode 8

[@lescarpio]

Easy answer: Hollywood

[@ianw0ng]

this guy is so humble and gracious. i'd be somewhat offended or annoyed if a character i've made famous is being played by a more popular actor in a much more popular medium.

[@eugkra33]

The real answer is "star power". You need to draw an audience, and more people know Pedro.

[@mahaney98]

Playing the game for the first time now...

[@Handle...This.]

The same amount of action in the show as in the game, troy? Come on man!

[@davidbloom754]

He has a nuanced idea of what action is. When you're playing a game, the relentless killing is visceral. Watching it would be tedious.

[@censer4641]

Could’ve easily played tommy. But ok

[@attilafekete7892]

He might look more like Tommy from the game, but he didn't look he would be Pedro's brother.

[@alexmaurice4274]

Yeah he looks Hispanic asl

[@censer4641]

@@attilafekete7892 well tommy was still blonde in the game. If its facial features it probably not something makeup can’t fix

[@ghostofmoredishesmorebitch1507]

Why didn't the bunny get capped tho

[@TheOnlyMasonJar]

The question was never awnsered…

[@livinglegacy7]

Series is about 60% the game, and 40% unnecessary added stuff. The game is more detailed, more emotional, and told a more fulfilled story.

[@nicolaspablo4616]

Indeed!

[@SerPodrick]

where is Ashley tho.....

[@beast_5417]

Please cast this man as the Joker!!!!!!

[@UMAnnie305]

Episode 3 needs to win awards

[@cesarelo1249]

he didnt even answer the question of the title on the video

[@user-ue4nk1ox5q]

Is it only me thinking that the game more cinematographic then series?🤔

[@daisyp3748]

Troy is the G.O.A.T.

[@awesomepizza4823]

how about nolan north as david lmao

[@lynxvex]

Hope he gets to play another character in Season 2 😅😅

[@dabearcub]

They didn't trust him to do a bigger part.

[@benjaminjane93]

I'll take "Voice actors aren't respected for their craft in Hollywood, who would rather cast the most recognizable and bankable name for a character rather than the best actor for the job" for 400, Alex.