The exit of Danny Ramírez The last of us sparked a new debate among fans, comparing his Marvel commitments to those of Pedro Pascal.
The 33-year-old actor, who appeared in four episodes of the series as a member of the Fireflies named Manny Alvarez, has officially left season three as news of the recasting is confirmed.
Ramirez had to abandon this project due to scheduling conflicts as he will not be able to film the third season of the HBO hit.
News of the redesign is not only an update, but becomes a flashpoint for a long-standing frustration regarding the game’s planning and pacing and the long-term direction of the series.
Reddit users argue over major issues with Ramirez’s overhaul and what it means for The last of us Season 3:
Was the redesign avoidable or a failure of planning?
Many fans believe the showrunners should have anticipated scheduling conflicts before casting Ramirez.
“They should have been forward-looking in not choosing someone who has already sold their soul for a wonderful deal,” one wrote.
Critics say it was poor foresight to cast a rising MCU actor in a major supporting role that requires intensive filming.
Others resist, saying actors shouldn’t be blamed for pursuing big career opportunities and that it’s a matter of production planning.
Why is this different from Pedro Pascal’s Marvel work?
A big debate is about comparisons to the Chilean-American actor who is also part of the MCU.
On the one hand, the 50-year-old actor’s situation is not comparable, because his character is already dead in the series and most of the flashbacks would have been filmed.
The other side argues that Marvel’s commitments may further complicate availability, but most agree that Pedro’s role does not require the same level of ongoing filming as Manny’s.
Additionally, fans familiar with the game are worried because Season 3 is expected to heavily follow Abby’s storyline, in which Manny is an important character.
Its revamp raises concerns about continuity, immersion and emotional impact, especially since Seasons 2 and 3 would overlap in timeline.
