If you're still reeling from the events of The Last of Us Season 2, you are definitely not alone. It's been a tough year for fans after watching our beloved Joel Miller meet a tragic end at the hands of Abby (played by Kaitlyn Dever). But just when you thought the pain would never ease, Hot Toys has come through with a little something to help us commemorate one of TV's most unforgettable characters.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Hot Toys is releasing a new 1/6th scale figure of Joel Miller from The Last of Us.
- ✓ The collectible, based on Pedro Pascal's portrayal, is available for pre-order at $285.
- ✓ Creator Neil Druckmann is stepping away from the HBO show, leaving Craig Mazin as the sole showrunner for Season 3.
- ✓ The likeness has been described as a "facemash" of Pascal, Liam Neeson, and Hugh Jackman.
- ✓ Despite fan demand, Druckmann has stated there are no current plans for a third game in the series.
The Man, The Myth, The Figure
That's right, the master collectible makers at Hot Toys have just unveiled their latest creation: a 1/6th scale figure of Joel Miller himself. This isn't just any figure; it's a stunningly detailed piece that captures Joel from the period right before his death, and even from that heart-wrenching flashback episode later in the season. We're talking about a newly developed head sculpt that perfectly shows off Joel's weathered, weary, and world-worn expression. It’s pure Pedro Pascal, or at least, it’s *almost* pure Pedro Pascal.
Of course, Joel is more about function than fashion, and the figure reflects that. He comes fully equipped for the apocalypse with a combat knife, his classic revolver, and a highly detailed assault rifle ready to take down a horde of Clickers. The detail is incredible, right down to the "separate rolling eyeballs" feature that gives you more control over his expression. For a cool $285, this piece of memorabilia can be yours.
But Does It *Really* Look Like Him?
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. If we're being brutally honest, while the figure is undeniably impressive, something about the face sculpt feels just a little… off. It’s so close to being perfect, yet it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s one of those things you can’t unsee once you notice it.
Leave it to io9 editor James Whitbrook to put it into words perfectly. He commented that the figure looks like a "facemash" of Pedro Pascal, Liam Neeson, and Hugh Jackman from his *Logan* days. And you know what? He’s not wrong. It's a hilarious but surprisingly accurate description. The likeness is almost there, but it seems to have picked up a few other famous faces along the way.
Either way, for massive fans of Pedro Pascal and especially for those of us who live and breathe The Last of Us, this figure is a fantastic way to pay tribute to an iconic character. It's a snapshot of Joel in his prime, a reminder of the journey before that shocking finale.
Hot Toys' Expanding Universe
What’s really cool to see is how Hot Toys is branching out beyond its usual stomping grounds of Marvel and DC. For years, they've been the go-to for incredible superhero figures, but lately, they've been venturing into other beloved franchises, and we are here for it. This Joel figure is a prime example of their expanding horizons.
Just this week, they also announced a new figure of Daniel Craig's James Bond from *No Time to Die*, his final, explosive outing as 007. They've also unveiled a figure of Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) from *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, and even one for David Corenswet’s *Superman* to celebrate the new film. It seems like if a character is making waves in pop culture, Hot Toys is ready to immortalize them in sixth scale.
Big Changes for the HBO Series
Speaking of the world of The Last of Us, there's been a pretty significant shake-up behind the scenes of the HBO series. After working side-by-side with Craig Mazin to bring the first two seasons to life, game creator Neil Druckmann announced he would be departing the series. Writer Halley Gross is also leaving, which means Mazin is set to tackle the third season on his own.
This is a huge shift. Druckmann's direct involvement was a massive part of what made the adaptation so faithful and powerful. With him stepping away to focus on future projects at his game studio, Naughty Dog, it'll be interesting to see how the show evolves. We also know that Season 3 will shift its focus away from Joel and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and move it squarely onto Abby, exploring her journey during the same timeline.
So, What About The Last of Us Part III?
With all this talk about the show and the enduring popularity of the games, there’s one question that just won't go away: will we ever get *The Last of Us Part III*? Fans have been begging Naughty Dog for another installment pretty much since the credits rolled on *Part II*. But here's the thing—it doesn't look like it's going to happen, and there are some very good reasons why.
First off, not every great story needs to become a sprawling franchise. Neil Druckmann himself has said that while he had ideas for a third game, he feels that *Part II* serves as a complete and final end to the story. The narrative focus of these games was always about telling a specific, powerful tale. Milking it for more sequels was never the goal for Naughty Dog. Sometimes, less is more.
Another simple reason is that if it were going to happen, it probably would have by now. It’s been five years since *Part II* was released in 2020. In that time, Naughty Dog has released four different remakes and remasters of the two games for various platforms, clearly showing they want to keep the series alive. However, they haven't spent any of that time developing a new sequel. Instead, they're working on a brand-new IP, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*. If a third game was in the cards, we likely would've heard something concrete by now.
But the most important reason is the story itself. It's perfect and, more importantly, complete. The character arcs for both Ellie and Abby reached their conclusions. Sure, you could follow Ellie as she looks for Dina, or see what Abby and Lev do with the Fireflies, but what would be the narrative point? The powerful moral of the story has been told. To go back would feel like an unnecessary addition rather than a meaningful continuation. It's better to quit while you're ahead, and right now, Naughty Dog is way ahead.
Conclusion
The bottom line is, this new Joel Miller figure from Hot Toys couldn't have come at a more poignant time. It serves as a beautiful, tangible tribute for fans still mourning the character's fate on screen. As the HBO show prepares to shift its focus and the game series seems to have reached its definitive conclusion, this collectible feels like a perfect way to freeze a moment in time—a reminder of the grizzled survivor who started it all. It’s a must-have for any fan looking to keep a piece of Joel’s legacy alive on their shelf.
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