Mega Star Matthew McConaughey was, apparently, offered the lead role in HBO's The Last of Us.

The Last of Us community are always waiting on juicy details regarding the upcoming HBO show that will delve into the post-apocalyptic Naughty Dog game. Lately, we got word that Merle Dandridge, who portrayed Marlene in The Last of Us games, will take up her role in the live-action TV show.

Now, we already know that filming will start in July next month in Canada but, naturally, due to the ever-present COVID pandemic, filming schedules could see a delay so there's no certainty when we can see the anticipated show hit our screens.

What we do know, however, is that Pedro Pascal has been cast as the lead role of Joel and Bella Ramsey will play Ellie but apparently, Matthew McConaughey was in consideration before Pascal.

According to Full Circle Cinema, HBO reached out to McConaughey about taking up the role of the gruff but loveable Joel in their upcoming show. True Detective and Blade star Mahershala Ali was also in the running at some point too but there are no suggestions on whether that is true or if he just turned the part down.

This information seems to have come from insider DanielRPK and the link used by Full Circle Cinema's article goes straight to Daniel's Patreon page in which you need to pay to be a member of and to see this rumoured scoop.

As with all rumours, this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt especially when there's nothing to back it up for now, but it's certainly a subject that will get many TLOU fans talking.

Personally? I think McConaughey could have been a pretty cool fit to play Joel. With his Texas accent and fine acting skills, he could have brought something special to the HBO show but I'm very optimistic about what Pascal and Ramsey will bring to the complexities of Joel and Ellie.

For any and all things The Last of Us, make sure to stay right here with DualShockers.