Ellie, the lead character in the critically acclaimed video game, The Last of Us, has captured the hearts and minds of millions of players around the world. Her tough exterior and vulnerable personality make her a complex and relatable character that is hard not to love.
Ellie’s character is based on Ashley Johnson, a talented actress who performed the motion capture for the character. However, many fans have wondered what other actresses could have portrayed Ellie if she was a live-action character.
In this blog post, we’re going to explore some actresses who resemble Ellie and could have played the character if she was adapted for a screen production. We’ll also look into who they should have cast as Ellie and which actresses auditioned for the role during the production of The Last of Us, shedding some light on the casting process.
So, if you’re a fan of The Last of Us and want to know more about these talented actresses, continue reading this blog post. Let’s begin!
Who Inspired the Character of Ellie in The Last of Us
Ellie, the main character in The Last of Us, is one of the most beloved and recognizable video game characters of all time. Her appearance, personality, and actions have captivated gamers around the world, but who was her inspiration?
Here are some facts about the development of the character of Ellie:
- The character of Ellie was created by Neil Druckmann, the writer, and creative director of The Last of Us. Druckmann has cited Ellen Page as the inspiration behind Ellie’s appearance and personality.
- When The Last of Us was first announced in 2011, the character that appeared in the game’s promotional materials bore a striking resemblance to Ellen Page. However, Page was not involved in the creation of the game or the character of Ellie.
- The similarity between Ellie and Ellen Page was so striking that Page herself commented on it. In a Reddit AMA session, Page stated that she was “flattered to be compared to such a strong female character.”
- In response to the comparisons between Ellie and Ellen Page, the developers of The Last of Us adjusted Ellie’s appearance slightly to differentiate her more from Page. The character now has a slightly different hairstyle and facial structure.
- The personality of Ellie was also inspired by other sources. Druckmann has cited the character of Mattie Ross from the novel True Grit as an influence on Ellie’s determination and grit.
- In addition to Page and Mattie Ross, Druckmann has stated that the character of Ellie was also influenced by his own experiences growing up as the child of Jewish immigrants.
In conclusion, while Ellie’s appearance was originally based on Ellen Page, the character quickly evolved into her own unique personality that was influenced by a variety of sources. Her strength, determination, and courage continue to inspire gamers around the world, and she remains one of the most beloved and iconic video game characters of all time.
Who Should Have Been Cast as Ellie
While the character Ellie from the Last of Us was a fan favorite, the casting choice for her in the movie adaptation of the game left many people disappointed. Here are some actresses that could have brought Ellie to life.
Maisie Williams
Known for her role on Game of Thrones, Maisie Williams would have been a perfect fit for the role of Ellie. Many fans believe that her striking resemblance to Ellie and her acting chops would have made her ideal for the role.
Hailee Steinfeld
Another actress that fans believe would have done justice to the role of Ellie is Hailee Steinfeld. Known for her role in True Grit and Bumblebee, Steinfeld has proven that she has the acting skills and grit to bring Ellie to life.
Chloe Grace Moretz
Chloe Grace Moretz is another actress that could have rocked the role of Ellie. With her previous experience working in action and thriller movies, she could have easily captured the toughness and vulnerability that the character embodies.
Millie Bobby Brown
While Millie Bobby Brown is still relatively young, her talent and experience on Stranger Things have made many people suggest her for the role of Ellie. With her expressive eyes and natural acting ability, she could have easily portrayed Ellie’s personality.
Ellen Page
Although she isn’t in her twenties anymore, Ellen Page would have been a perfect fit for the role of Ellie. Her portrayal of Ellie’s likeness in the game sparked a controversy, but many fans still believe that she would have brought the same charisma and edge to the character in the movie adaptation.
Key Takeaways
- The original casting choice for Ellie in the Last of Us movie adaptation was not well-received.
- There are many actresses that fans believe would have done justice to the role of Ellie, including Maisie Williams, Hailee Steinfeld, Chloe Grace Moretz, Millie Bobby Brown, and even Ellen Page.
- Each actress brings her own unique qualities to the table, but they all share a similar look and acting style to the character from the game.
Actresses that Resemble Ellie from The Last of Us
If you’re an avid fan of the widely popular game series, The Last of Us, you will agree that Ellie’s character is unique. The game’s innovative storyline, impressive graphics, and fierce protagonist have captivated millions of players worldwide. It comes as no surprise that many actresses are hitting the entertainment industry, bearing a striking resemblance to Ellie’s character.
Below are some actresses that embody Ellie’s character with their appearance, mannerisms, and personality:
1. Maisie Williams
Maisie Williams is widely known for her role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones. Although she has an impressive acting resume, her facial features, and youthful appearance have caught the attention of many fans of The Last of Us. In addition to her similar appearance, Maisie possesses Ellie’s fierce and independent personality traits that made the character so well-loved.
2. Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever is an actress widely recognized for her roles in Last Man Standing and Booksmart. Her youthful features and tomboyish mannerisms make her a perfect fit for the role of Ellie in The Last of Us. Kaitlyn’s enthusiastic personality, coupled with her acting skills, would undoubtedly bring Ellie’s character to life.
3. Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld is an actress that has been in the entertainment industry since childhood. She has played lead and supporting roles in various movies, including Pitch Perfect, Ender’s Game, and True Grit. Her youthful and innocent features make her a perfect candidate to portray Ellie’s innocence and vulnerability. Hailee has proven to be an excellent actress, and fans of the game series would appreciate her portrayal of Ellie’s character.
4. Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning is a renowned actress known for her roles in the superhero movie, The Neon Demon, and Maleficent. Her wide-eyed and innocent look makes her an ideal character to portray Ellie’s younger years. While she may not have Ellie’s rough and tough nature, she can act out the character’s more subdued and emotional side with ease.
5. Fivel Stewart
Fivel Stewart is an actress and musician known for her role in the movie, Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft. Her striking features, short hair, and tomboyish appearance give her an uncanny resemblance to the character of Ellie. Fivel, who is of mixed heritage, could also bring a unique perspective to the role, just like Ellie’s diverse background.
In conclusion, It is impressive how the gaming industry has impacted the entertainment industry, with many actresses bearing a resemblance to the iconic character, Ellie from The Last of Us. These actresses are not only stunning but possess the same spunk and grit that Ellie brought to the game. Whether Hollywood decides to bring The Last of Us to the big screen or not, these actresses are worthy candidates to portray Ellie’s character.
Who is Ellie Modeled After in The Last of Us
If you’re a fan of The Last of Us, you must have wondered if Ellie, the game’s main protagonist, is based on a real-life person or not. In this subheading, we’ll explore who Ellie is modeled after:
The Inspiration behind Ellie’s Character
Ellie’s character is a product of many inspirations. Though no one specifically served as the model for Ellie’s character, the game developers did take cues from different people to create her, including:
Ashley Johnson: Ashley Johnson provided the motion capture and voice acting for Ellie in The Last of Us, and her portrayal of the character is what you see in the game. The game developers also crafted Ellie’s facial expressions and body movements, using Johnson’s gestures as a reference.
- Ellen Page: Though it was a coincidence, many people noticed that Ellie bears a striking resemblance to actress Ellen Page. However, a few years before The Last of Us was released, Ellen Page starred in another game, Beyond: Two Souls, where she played a character that resembled Ellie in many ways.
- Other Inspirations: In addition to the two above, the game developers took cues from other people such as Jodie Foster and Hailee Steinfeld to create Ellie’s character.
Ellie’s Appearance in The Game
While Ellie’s character may have taken inspiration from different sources, the character’s appearance was based on Ashley Johnson. The developers used facial recognition software to capture her emotions, and they used her movements to make Ellie’s character look more authentic.
The Last of Us is a game that relies on the characters to tell its story, and Ellie is one of its most important characters. Although Ellie’s character is not based on any one real-life person, the game developers did draw inspiration from various people to craft her character. Ultimately, Ashley Johnson’s portrayal of Ellie helped to create an unforgettable character that has become popular with gamers worldwide.
Actresses Auditioned for Ellie in Last of Us
When it comes to video games, the casting process can be just as crucial as it is for movies and TV shows. Fans of the wildly popular game, The Last of Us, know that the character of Ellie is one of the most significant parts of the game. But just who were the actresses that tried out for the role and fell short? Here are some of the actresses that didn’t quite make the cut:
Maisie Williams
You might know her best as Arya Stark in the hit television series, Game of Thrones. However, Maisie Williams also auditioned for the role of Ellie in The Last of Us. Despite being prepared and giving an excellent performance, Williams was unfortunately too young for the role and lacked the life experience necessary to bring Ellie to life.
Bella Ramsey
Another young actress known for her work in Game of Thrones is Bella Ramsey, who played Lyanna Mormont. Ramsey also auditioned for the role of Ellie in The Last of Us. Unfortunately, she was deemed too young for the role and had less experience compared to some other actresses.
Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld may be best known for her roles in Pitch Perfect 2 and 3, or her Academy Award-nominated performance in True Grit. However, Steinfeld also tried out for the role of Ellie. She impressed the casting team, but in the end, they decided to go in a different direction.
Kaitlyn Dever
Kaitlyn Dever is an experienced actress known for her work in the television series, Justified, and movies like Booksmart and Short Term 12. She also auditioned for the role of Ellie in The Last of Us. While Dever delivered an excellent performance, it wasn’t quite what the casting team was looking for in their version of Ellie.
Ellen Page
One of the most famous actresses to audition for the role of Ellie is Ellen Page. Page is a critically-acclaimed actress, known for her roles in Juno, Inception, and The Umbrella Academy. However, before The Last of Us casting team had even begun the process, fans noticed a stark similarity between Page and the character of Ellie. As a result, the game developers opted to change Ellie’s appearance to avoid any potential legal issues.
While these actresses ultimately didn’t get the role of Ellie in The Last of Us, it’s important to note that they are all talented individuals with successful careers. Regardless, The Last of Us franchise is incredibly fortunate for finding the perfect actress for the role of Ellie in Ashley Johnson.
