Kaitlyn Dever (known for Dopesick, Last Man Standing, and Unbelievable) is the recent addition to the hit HBO series, The Last of Us. She will play one of the most important and polarising characters from the popular Naughty Dog video game, Abby, in Season 2. While many have welcomed Dever in the show, a noticeable share of fans want her as Ellie instead of Abby.
Believe it or not, Kaitlyn Dever was actually fan-casted as live-action Ellie when Naughty Dog released the game back in 2013. Many fans strongly believe that the actress looks more similar to Ellie than Bella Ramsey, and they are not wrong.
Dever even auditioned for Ellie’s role and made it to a table read for the character. However, the showrunners wanted someone younger to play Ellie. As a result, they chose Ramsey instead of Dever.
Check out some of the reactions below!
The fact that Kaitlyn Dever lost the Ellie role to Bella Ramsay actually irritates me. pic.twitter.com/iGzKgmGRDk
— A literal fucking alien in boots (@_idgafanymore_) January 10, 2024
I really like Kaitlyn Dever in Booksmart, but, I mean, look at her, she’s Ellie. It’s gonna be weird. https://t.co/KeCy2xWn3r
— Richard Hoeg (@HoegLaw) January 10, 2024
Kaitlyn Dever should play adult Ellie in The Last of Us S2.
— Yadiy Zak-One (@yadiyzakwan) January 6, 2024
Seriously
— Tye dide (@tidepollzzyea) January 10, 2024
who tf is making the casting decision for the last of us
It doesn't make sense to switch roles but Bella Ramsey looks more like Abby and Kaitlyn dever looks more like Ellie
Absolute miscast pic.twitter.com/LypN3zlOMQ
Things will not be easy for Kaitlyn Dever as she will play one of the most controversial video game characters of all time, Abby. The events of the Last of Us Part II take place nearly five years after the first game. Joel and Ellie start living peacefully in Jackson, Wyoming. But their lives turn upside down after Abby’s arrival in the second game. It turns out that Joel killed Abby’s father to protect Ellie in the first game, which sets Abby on a path of vengeance. Abby murders Joel right in front of Ellie and Tommy. This shocking twist gets tough to digest as the game’s control shifts to Abby’s perspective in the middle of the game. Part II tells us all about Abby’s life and struggles, and tries to establish some sort of emotional connection between Abby and the players. However, not all players were happy about it.
HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 is expected to come out in 2025. Stay tuned for more updates.