The Shocking Fallout of Elliot Page's Last of Us Controversy

Summary

The similarity between Elliot Page and the character Ellie in The Last of Us video game drew frustration from Page, as he was concurrently involved in another game that shared a comparable appearance.

Bella Ramsey's exceptional depiction of Ellie in The Last of Us TV show receives high acclaim for capturing the essence of the character and her growth across the series.

Actor Elliot Page and The Last of Us have become embroiled in a controversy that spans from the video game's release to the premiere of the TV adaptation. Elliot Page is a versatile actor known for his appearances in popular streaming shows, independent films, and superhero franchises throughout his impressive career. He first gained attention in movies like Hard Candy and X-Men: The Last Stand before starring in Juno, a role that earned him both an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination. Page then captivated audiences as Viktor Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy, where they bravely came out as transgender.

The Last of Us is an action-adventure video game developed by Naughty Dog in 2013. It follows the story of Joel, a smuggler who must protect a young girl named Ellie in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombie-like Infected cannibals. The game received critical acclaim and received numerous awards and nominations, including the prestigious Best of Show at the Game Critics Awards. It also spawned a highly anticipated sequel titled The Last of Us Part II and led to an HBO television adaptation featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Despite the overall adoration for The Last of Us franchise, Page found themselves at the center of controversy surrounding both the game and the TV show.

Elliot Page Said The Last Of Us Game "Ripped Off My Likeness"

During a Reddit AMA in 2013, a user pointed out the resemblance between Page and Ellie in The Last of Us video game. Page responded by expressing that he would have been flattered under different circumstances, but at that time, he was engaged in a motion-capture performance for another video game called Beyond Two Souls. Consequently, he did not appreciate the similarities. Ellie's appearance and her snarky, independent personality in the game do bear resemblance to Page and his character Juno. It is conceivable that Page's digital likeness in Beyond Two Souls may have served as inspiration for a Naughty Dog artist in the creation of Ellie's character model. However, it must have been disheartening for Page to see his own work in a separate game being overshadowed by a character design that used his likeness without any recognition.

Fancasting Elliot Page In The Last Of Us TV Show Is Problematic

The fancastings for Ellie in HBO's The Last of Us sparked a heated online discussion before the show's release. Many fans expressed their preference for Page, noting his resemblance to the character. However, this raised concerns as Page publicly identified as a man in 2020. It would be contradictory to force Page to portray a female character against his gender identity simply to satisfy fan demand. Additionally, at 36 years old, Page is no longer suitable to play the 14-year-old Ellie.

Fortunately, the role of Ellie in The Last of Us TV show has been successfully filled by Bella Ramsey. Although Ramsey may not bear an exact resemblance to the Ellie in the game, their outstanding performance eclipses any minor visual disparities. Ramsey captivates viewers with their fierce wit and effectively portrays Ellie's transformation from youthful naivety to a hardened, world-weary survivor. Ramsey's acting is crucial in making Ellie's character arc believable.