The Last Of Us: Troy Baker on Auditioning for Joel & Meeting Pedro Pascal
Ойын-сауық
'The Last Of Us' started with actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson taking on the roles of Joel and Ellie when the video game launched in 2013. Now a decade later, Troy Baker joins The Last of Pods, an ET and Comicbook crossover podcast, revealing he nearly walked out of his initial audition for the role that would change his career. Baker also shares his initial pick on who should play live-action Joel, what it was like meeting Pedro Pascal for the first time and more! 'The Last Of Us' airs Sundays on HBO and streams on HBO Max.
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I've listened to Troy talk about TLOU for 10 years and still is so interesting and mesmerizing. He really is the GOAT of video game actors.
@thegirlonfiredolls
Жыл бұрын
agree i was about to comment the same i can listen to him and the cast talk about the last of us for hours. specially troy
@xerxesmontes9828
Жыл бұрын
He's my favorite voice actor for sure. Next to Yuri Lowenthall
@Hero_Of_Old
Жыл бұрын
Its a shame they destroyed his and Ashleys characters in the sequel
@lx-icon
Жыл бұрын
@@Hero_Of_Old The real Gandalf wouldn't have posted this L
@Will-gg1zr
Жыл бұрын
Yep him and Nolan North stand above the rest for me
The best interview in years. Allowing him to talk and reminisce without interrupting. Classic.
@recca7
Жыл бұрын
They definitely cut some bit of dialogue. Cause there was an odd cut 3/4 of the interview. He probably went on about something too long that seemed off tangent
@lx-icon
Жыл бұрын
Agreed, this interview is great! The only thing I have with Troy is that I get the impression he loves listening to himself talk as much as we do ^^' he's incredibly charming and does super well in individual interviews like this, but I feel whenever there's a group interview alongside Ashley, Neil or even Nolan for Uncharted, he has a tendency to take up space. His passion really shines, but sometimes at the expense of others. I'm not saying this as a solely negative thing necessarily, just that I vastly prefer listening to him in interviews like this where he's on his own!
@Quotenwagnerianer
Жыл бұрын
@@lx-icon Indeed. This was very evident during the Vox Machina Season 2 watchparty at Critical Role where he was there as a guest for one Episode. There is always one guest on the couch and it was very noticable that of all guests so far, Troy was the one who talked the most and the longest. His answers were even longer than the ones of the regulars. He is a charming guy and I don't dislike that he does this, but you have to be in the mood for his antics.
@sofiab2920
Жыл бұрын
@@Quotenwagnerianer I agree. It bothered me sometimes when he was on Retro Replay. But I think it comes from deep passion and that he's a very communative personality. He's doing great on the Last of Us Podcast though. Really lets Craig and Neil talk without interruptions.
@lx-icon
Жыл бұрын
@@sofiab2920 absolutely, the podcast for the show works really well! He has some things to contribute which is always good from a host, but he’s very intentionally asking questions for the audience’s benefit, and getting them to talk in-depth - while showing restraint, importantly. Also agree - Retro Replay on paper should be mandatory watching, but… the dynamics absolutely do end up being really off-putting. Nolan feels like he’s playing on his own for entire episodes at a time :( Also to the comment above, I felt the EXACT same way for that TLoVM watch party episode!!
It's so cool they're including Troy and Ashley in all this promo because they easily could have only been talked about and acknowledged by the other actors, but instead they're bringing them in for all the press as well. Hope something similar happens with Ashley Eckstein when Ahsoka comes out!
@bwilcher9501
Жыл бұрын
Well they also have roles in the show as well which is cool
@ay5285
Жыл бұрын
They’re using them for marketing
@vivianblue5332
Жыл бұрын
@@ay5285 and it works
@DOOBISOFT
Жыл бұрын
Sunday night was Troys episode I wonder if Ashley will be in the last
@vetobandito2635
Жыл бұрын
🤢
I love this guy. The fact that A Baker from Troy survived and he is still alive after 3500 years is amazing.
@ThePoushal
Жыл бұрын
You're genius 😂
@stocktonfiero5379
Жыл бұрын
terrible joke. 10 out of 10.
@christiannicolasborgenstee3092
Жыл бұрын
i live for this humor
@bruh918
Жыл бұрын
shiiidd....
@manzero134gd
Жыл бұрын
made my day.
Got to give credit to the interviewers. They seem to really know the story and they don't cut him off, this is good! Props to them!
@madelynmorgan2999
Жыл бұрын
yes i didn’t even think abt the interviewers until i saw this comment, but that’s just right. only helping the story along or interjecting when asked
@liamk1610
Жыл бұрын
The interviewers host The Last Of Pods, they're definitely fans of the game/show
@TheRealHappyHuntsman
Жыл бұрын
@@liamk1610 Well that makes sense then 😄
Wow! I didn’t know ET did quality, longer interviews where they let the actor talk. Troy is so interesting and really sounds like an actor’s actor.
@red2977
Жыл бұрын
They actually seemed interested in hearing what the actor had to say vs hearing their own voice.
@ethanchadwick1566
Жыл бұрын
Look up play watch listen if you like Troy
@DOOBISOFT
Жыл бұрын
He is technically an actor voice or not
@ObiWanKenobi
Жыл бұрын
@@DOOBISOFT voice actor is still an actor
I love how Naughty Dog values Troy because Troy isn't your average voice actor. He is a geek, a fan of comics, art, movies, and video games! He always had more to give than just his acting talents and I love how involved he has been with Druckman through everything from promotion to having opinions on who gets cast as Joel, a role in the show, and being the host of the podcast. I've been a fan of Troy Baker long before The Last of Us and I love how much love he is getting for this fateful game and now the TV show!
@7heRequiem
Жыл бұрын
I know he is twice my age but there is something so Millennial about him that I relate to. From growing up and admiring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hammil as Batman before IMDB existed to accepting the modern takes on stuff and being a gamer! He's such a gem and a well-spoken person!
Great to see someone so passionate about a role, that they played a decade ago. So many actors try to escape it. This man really loves joel and appreciates Neil!
@samuelesquivel6202
Жыл бұрын
Yeah he love the role so much he let him killed by a golf club, and he love so much Neil that he agreed to deny the leaks and agreed to be part of a trailer that is fake, yep that our boy Troy Baker
@TukaihaHithlec
Жыл бұрын
@@samuelesquivel6202 You know you’re allowed to not like Part II without being a prick
@samuelesquivel6202
Жыл бұрын
@@TukaihaHithlec nowadays to tell the truth is a prick, well I rather be a prick than being a kiss @ss mf
@finnethew
Жыл бұрын
Absolutely! ❤
@melosivitch
Жыл бұрын
@@samuelesquivel6202 He loves the role enough to let them tell a beautiful story about regret, remorse, ptsd, and loss. Im sorry that you as a "fan" were unable to see how beautiful the story was that they told.
Dying at imagining pedro going “I have none for you” 💀 I love him sm. this interview has great insights. troy is awesome.
So glad this man is getting facetime. He’s been the voice of countless memorable characters and to be able to take his passion and apply it to himself. Gotta love seeing his journey and where its headed hoping these roles give this guy more screen time.
@Liam-mv9zi
Жыл бұрын
His voice for Pain from Naruto is my absolute favourite… complete top-tier of voice acting… doesn’t even sound like the same person talking here lol
@mkay187
Жыл бұрын
Yuri Lowell was my intro to him!
@caitlintoothman3597
Жыл бұрын
@@Liam-mv9zi omg that’s him???🤩
"You can't outhate somebody" perfectly sums up the journey of playing TLOU, Troy is really a gem
As far as casting goes, I can totally see Josh as Joel, but Pedro was definitely the right choice. He's killing it. I completely agree with Troy in that this is the greatest show right now.
@adamazzalino5247
Жыл бұрын
Josh would have been perfect as the exact vision of "Game Joel." But Pedro just adds these nuances we didn't know the character needed.
@isaacmendes1926
Жыл бұрын
@onehandwashestheotherhuh?
Troy and Ashley's performances can't be topped. I enjoy the HBO show as a completely separate take on it.
@plantemor
Жыл бұрын
I agree, though I think the show handled the ending of episode 5 better than the game. Ellie's actress' scream of horror was amazing. It's fun to see what the show does better and what the game does better. I far prefer the game version of the confrontation between Joel and Ellie where they talk about Joel's daughter. It was more raw in the game, but the show has handled most scenes from the game as well or better and some of the changes were truly smart ones. Bill's episode was so beautiful :D
@Rydiculous
Жыл бұрын
I think they have to tone the show down a bit compared to the game. Joel is more sensitive and show vs game Ellie definitely have a different vibe.
@TracyDavis904
Жыл бұрын
Yea it’s still just different than the game
@trashsplashtucker
Жыл бұрын
I agree, I think they had the luxury of choosing the exact perfect take of voice lines in the game and then animating around those. Whereas in the series, the best voiced lined might not match up with the best performance from the actor, so they have to find a compromise.
@plantemor
Жыл бұрын
@@billywashere6965 it's just a love story that was executed really well. It's a theme that most of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives. Gay or not.
He even voiced Sam from Uncharted and I didn’t even recognize him. What a talent!
@jgrAnimations23
Жыл бұрын
Really? The guy who voiced nathan also voiced david in last of us
@youraveragepasser-by7367
Жыл бұрын
Troy has done Joker, Batman, Pagan Min, etc. A true chameleon
@Liam-mv9zi
Жыл бұрын
Also Pain from Naruto, which is such a hugely different voice from how he normally talks… honestly couldn’t believe it was the same person.
@HappyPhantom668
Жыл бұрын
Which is funny cause he kinda sounds the most like himself as Sam haha!
@averageperson9708
Жыл бұрын
@@Liam-mv9zi yea I found that out a few years ago but couldn’t believe this guy was that pain from the naruto dub, his voice is insane in it
I swear, this man gives the best interviews. He’s also got the golden voice. I could listen to this man tell stories for hours.
7:56 “He’s our daddy” is crazy😭😭
I met Troy at a London Comic-Con and he was with Nolan north, I don’t consider myself to be a vocal actor in any sense, but I asked him to do a Alan Rickman impression (as Hans Gruber) he did it shows me how he manipulated his chords so to speak and now… I can do it myself. I’ve worked in places that have frequent celebs and they have been hero’s but turned out to be horrible people. I can honestly say from the brief interaction with Troy and Nolan they are the most genuine people I’ve ever met. Kudos to them both for there love of their art and the love of their fans.
Well spoken, intelligent dude…I could listen to him talk all day. They gave him so much room to just talk…great interview and interviewers…
Enjoy listening to Troy. He is so passionate about what he does and great at it!!
Wild how close we were to not getting The Last of Us that we know. Troy and Ashley as Joel and Ellie feels supernaturally perfect.
I really appreciate how much passion Troy always has for TLOU every time he talks about it, for so many years now. I’m glad that a lot of commenters also seem to think so! He’s such a good storyteller, and I personally appreciate how much respect he has for every other artist who worked on the games/show as well.
THANK YOU for letting him talk. This was the most refreshing interview I’ve seen in a long time.
This was a truly great interview. So fitting for one of, if not the, greatest stories of all time
That ending story. So motivational and encouraging, especially in my current situation in a new field where I feel I’m not good enough cause of fear and doubt. Thanks Troy. Glad you walked in anyway and knocked it out of the park and became Joel.
The last minute of this interview is a testament to not letting the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. What a great note to end on.
Gotta say, this was a well paced and jus honest interview 🙌🏼🙏🏼 thank you
Troy is always a great interview. He's great at telling a story.
I love this guy! What a great interview!! Seeing his own character as the protagonist of a different movie is brilliant. ☺️
Great interviewers are under appreciated. Listening and not interrupting is a skill. I'm terrible at it myself so I appreciate it a lot more when the person being interviewed is allowed to just speak.
Ooo, I love that quote 15:18 "True art inspires other art"; I'm not sure if it's true 100% of the time, but it's a pretty good baseline metric to go by.
Troy, you and Ashley did an absolutely wonderful job of voicing the characters of Joel and Ellie and that played a big part in the success of the game. The feeling you both put into the characters made it such an emotional ride. Good luck to you both in your future ventures. Pedro's doing a great job as Joel, it would have course been great if you'd had more acting on film experience and Neil had offered you the part.
This is such a great interview! Troy is a fantastic interviewee.
Love ya Troy! Can’t wait to see you & Ashley on the show! 🎉
Someone, after the season is over, should set up a charity stream where Pedro and Bella do a playthrough of The Last of Us and comment on it. I think that would make a billion dollars it would be so interesting and popular. How often does a situation happen like this, where a fantastic actor plays a wonderful role that was once immortalized in a video game. He gets to play as the character after having played the character. It would be great.
@MikeLikesChannel
Жыл бұрын
In all probability, neither would be skilled at playing such a game if they don't game regularly. It's not the most approachable title for "I've never played a game before."
@fictionmyth
Жыл бұрын
@@MikeLikesChannel I get what you're saying but either one of them will improve as they go and I think the game has difficulty settings in the newer re-release. They could also get someone like a popular streamer to sit in with them as a way to stir the pot and not make it just the two actors talking. Since a third party would be able to ask interesting questions that fans want to know that the two leads may not consider interesting. I'm just saying there are ways around the, "They don't play games and aren't good at it." problem.
@ObnoxiousCamoToe
Жыл бұрын
@Corey Carnes Not to mention Bella has made mention that she has at the very least began playing the game
This is a pretty awesome interview:)
I really like this interview, his energy is good and you get to see the differences in approach from video games approach to acting and televisions.
he is so genuinly enthusiastic, its so refreshing. hes really amazing
Before I knew about Troy Baker I never thought that the voice behind a badass hardened apocalyptic survivor is a hipster guy lol.
@recca7
Жыл бұрын
He is like the Leo or any big A list Hollywood actor in the voice acting world. He's played so many characters
@TARS20
Жыл бұрын
@@recca7 yeah, he along with Nolan North...but back then I wasn't aware of how he actually looks like 🤭
What an excellent interview
The Last Of Us was really a pivotal transition from video games being seen as nerd fodder to high art. I remember the press for this was just having movie directors play the intro. With that being said, I really can feel the pressure to get these performers right. They were everything and planted a seed we all didn’t see coming.
That was a great conversation...i watched the interview from begining without skipping..Troy such a good talker
I’ve been following Pedro Pascal for a long time and his versatility is limitless so I never doubted him as Joel. 👍
I love it. Always great to see Troy talk Last Of Us.
Oh man after watching this interview I'm super excited to see his character in these last 2 episodes !!!!!!!!!
God Troy Baker is so great. So glad him (and Ashley) are getting the recognition they deserves for their roles. Plus I’ve watched every interview about the game so it’s nice getting to hear him talk about Last of Us again
This is such a great interview!
Baker is a legendary voice actor. He's done so much high quality work in some of my favorite video games.
I used to listen to this dude in some old jrpg’s, and now he’s here. Amazing, good for him.
Troy is a legend. Glad to see the public actually hear and see him.
As a fan its really amazing to witness all of this thanks to the tlou team!
I love Troy Baker, he's so humble and so so so talented. A part of me wished he could play Joel in the show (I still think about it) but Pedro Pascal is doing great. I do still go back to Troy & Ashley's performance in the game vs the show and their voice acting& expression VIBRATES . Absolutely legendary performances.
@MsLenepigen
Жыл бұрын
“Humble” 😂
@noneofyourbusiness4159
Жыл бұрын
@@MsLenepigenis he not actually?
@MsLenepigen
Жыл бұрын
@@noneofyourbusiness4159 Nope. He can be quite charming, but he’s a narcissistic tool that loves the smell of his own farts. Although his success is well deserved, it has very much gone to his head. He talks about Tlou and Naughty Dog as if they invented the cure for cancer.
@noneofyourbusiness4159
Жыл бұрын
@Lenemus I guess that's true he's proud of what they accomplished in terms of storytelling. He's proud of the work & story. Which is the opposite of humbleness. I laughed when you said he loves the smell of his own farts Hahahh I guess I don't blame him this is one of the most beloved stories of our time for those who have played or watched it. Can't imagine what it's like to be a part of its creation. It would totally go to my head so I guess I don't blame him x) I think he's still relatively humble he allows others to share space with him in his pride so its not like he hogs the limelight
@MsLenepigen
Жыл бұрын
@@noneofyourbusiness4159 Did you watch Retro Replay? His arrogance ruined the show and his friendship with Nolan North. He certainly hogged all the limelight then, for everyone to see. Nolan North is a good example of a successful voice actor that’s actually humble and don’t steal the limelight.
Awesome interview!
"hes our daddy" 🤣 shes not wrong
What a fantastic interview. Ash and Brandon asked interesting questions, but more than that, just let an amazing actor and fascinating person in Troy Baker just TALK. Well done, and loved it.
Troy is a legend hes also amazing in bioshock infinite ,and the other 200 games he's in always top notch.
@LoneCreeperHunter
Жыл бұрын
A top performance was Pagan Min from Farcry 4
@Jack_Crenshaw
Жыл бұрын
He sounds the same in every game. He's only had 4 standout roles.
@tjpowell234
Жыл бұрын
Just 1 standout role is good. 4 that's talent. He's obviously doing something right. Don't know if your comment was hate or not. But seemed like it
@mt6897
Жыл бұрын
@@Jack_Crenshaw You are insane if you actually think he sounds the same in all his roles. Tell me how his Joker and Joel sound anything alike, or his Pagan Min. Like you have to be trolling.
I love listening to him talk
Cool interview, great job getting an interviewer who's a big fan of the game.
Great interview! They let him talk!
Just watched episode 8. I think he did an exceptional job. I totally felt for his character. I saw a guy who was losing faith in his leader, was desperate, had just lost a friend. Someone who had made it so far and didn’t want to lose it all to starvation or some random outlaws that had come into his community. I felt for his character, even if he was one of the antagonists. So awesome that he’s not just a brilliant voice actor but also an incredible actor as well.
I wish we could see Troy more on tv shows or movies. He obviously has got the talent for it.
Troy Baker is an amazing human.
From playing Joel in the last of us video game to playing James on the tv series Troy Baker is truly one underrated, awesome, and talented actor he should be starring in major motion pictures because he's that good because he deserves major recognition for his acting skills.
It's a very beautifull thing, Troy, Ashley, Pedro and Bella. Fantastic actors!
Pedro and Troy both played Joel really well.
The Last of Us was the very first and pretty much only M rated game my mom let my brother buy on the PS3. We rented it first and then bought digital, but my mom was in tune while watching my brother play the rental and she even got vocal with the gameplay. We will always remember the words coming out of her mouth “oh you’ve got to shank that guy”
I love how passionate he is about The Last of Us and his experience making the game. Big ups to Neil, Craig and HBO for giving him the opportunity to host the podcast and for allowing him to have a say in who they should cast to play his role in live action.
@joellanderson5137
Жыл бұрын
Yeah that was a nice little caveat that surprised me. Love everything from the game to the show.
I love Toby. He heart and words speak art.
It's amazing how a game such as last of us became so close to people's hearts that they reconnected with family that formed a strong bond with fathers and daughters, that is something legendary
The almost mention of Jak and Daxter actually made me teary eyed.
What a cool guy. I need to play these games.
Glad to know that the guy interview is a gamer. He knows what he's talking about and they're both interested to what Troy was sharing
Im a huge Ashley Johnson fan as well, so it's cool to get that insight.
Love that niel said 'we need to make this game like it'll be the only one we make' ..gold. we are so fortunate everyone who worked on the game and now this show has and is throwing their whole hearts into this masterpiece
@RuailleBuaille
Жыл бұрын
100% If only more works in media - be that game, movie, series, book etc - were treated in that way. Can you imagine? I get that money and franchises are big factors, especially for big studios, but the pressure to create for the sake of raking in moolah at the detriment of telling a story with the care it deserves is such a shame. Here's hoping that between things like Arcane and TLOU, we'll get to see more quality coming through - and getting the financial reward they thoroughly deserve
When interviewers are genuinely interested in what the interviewee has to say, it makes for wonderful interviews. Allowing Troy the time to answer and really flesh out his answers, while asking interesting questions and obviously knowing the material, really created a phenomenal interview. Also I had to look up a photo of Troy from 2008 to see what kind of hair cut he had, and honestly, par for the course in the first decade of the 2000's LOL. And the story of him almost leaving, almost missing the chance to be Joel, just goes to show you should always take the chance. Even if you don't think anything will come from it, even if you think someone else would be better. Just try it out, and if it doesn't work out, it's fine. There are more chances, other things to move on to. But if it does work out, it can open an entirely new world of possibilities.
I would sit there and just listen to him talk about this stuff all day.
Please interview Ashley Johnson! we want to know her pov as well!!!! Can't wait for the last episode
My excitement of listening this man talks is as high as i have for the show itself 😂
Anyone else notice the cut when he starts talking about Joel's backstory in the show?
It’s crazy to see the show so successful that they go back to the actors from the games. You almost wish Troy was Joel in the show but they now both live in different mediums respectively. Lot of folks from the show are going to go back to the game now.
Wow, that last story he told blew my mind. I wish they had asked him to explain why he felt like he wasn't right for the part, cause I can't imagine them doing the game with anybody else.
Dang I love Troy. Such a relaxed humble dude. Super talented. What an awesome story behind his career. Sorry, edit for sidenote: The Last of Us really is the best game ever made.
Omg I love it so much Troy is so awesome
This dude's simply awesome
This guy is well-spoken.
He is so bright, and knowable.
He is real deal troy is just in amazing actor
just out of context, troy look so young, I thought he is in his 20s or 30s like he is younger than Pedro only a year and he looks this good?
The voice acting 🐐
also love his jacket choice ;)
Troy is an amazing actor
I wish I could be good at making mundane stories interesting like this dude.
Also good interviewers. Good questions
A lot of interviews now - particularly late night - are plagued by hosts who interrupt their guests and try to make themselves the star. The interviewers in this video are a breath of fresh air. They did a spectacular job posing insightful questions and allowing the guest to finish the thought before moving on.
My favorite thing is that it’s all love between him and Pedro. No resentment whatsoever.
@andrewaigalew
Жыл бұрын
There's also no point to it. People can appreciate the show and then either watch how the game is or experience it themselves just to appreciate the differences. In the end both of their takes on the character get more exposure.
Its so interesting almost seeing the joel in him as a person, how he acts, his mannerisms, his voice, his way with words, these instances of what he put into joels character come out in him, and its really interesting
Troy Baker the Legend!
Certainly not the first time games have gone for emotional resonance and human connection, but maybe the first time a big studio in the West did(and kept it relatively grounded in reality).
This dude never ages
I could listen to Troy Baker talk about his experience on The Last of Us for hours...
These interviewers are top tier.