Tom Holland introduced the Internet to his next high-profile role on Thursday—as Nathan Drake in the upcoming film adaptation of the blockbuster video game Uncharted. The 24-year-old actor tweeted out an image of himself on set, dressed as Drake, with the message “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Nate.”
While it was more than enough to get some fans excited for the video game’s big-screen translation, there were also some folks who were less than enthused that Holland was cast over actor Nathan Fillion.
Aside from the fact that Fillion shares the same first name as the character, the actor actually looks incredibly similar to Nathan Drake. Some people also feel that Holland’s casting is off because, in their eyes, he’s just too young to play the older action hero—Fillion, on the other hand, would’ve been more age appropriate.
Others, like TechCrunch editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino, are calling for Fillion to take on the role in possible sequels to the movie.
Gee, who should play this rugged action character, Tom Holland or Nathan Fillion? pic.twitter.com/zgoHjl81XE
— ð™·ðšŠðš—ðš” ð™¿ðšŠðšÂðšÂðš’ðšœðš˜ðš— Ω☠(@HLHPattison) October 22, 2020
fjfkdks i love tom and i’m stoked but they better make a sequel with nathan fillion as middle aged nathan drake or some shit
— 🦇bone daddy🦇 (@jessep1ier) October 22, 2020
There’s another reason that some people might be calling for Fillion’s involvement—he took on the role of Nathan Drake in a 2018 fan-made film.
The short film, directed by Allan Ungar, was posted on YouTube in July 2018, and it features Fillion’s Drake hastily escaping an intense interrogation and beating up a gang of kidnappers. People shared screenshots of Fillion as Drake in the short, declaring that they’ll always think of his portrayal of the character.
A few fans defended the casting of Holland, saying that, at 49 years old, Fillion is too old to play the character. Other people also said that Holland looked incredibly similar to Drake at different points in the game that showed the character when he was younger. If the film is indeed a prequel to the events of the first Uncharted game, it’s fitting to have someone who bears a resemblance to a younger version of the character.
Outside of Nathan Fillion playing a version of Nate in the games, this is the next best thing. He looks like Drake would have in between the flashbacks of 3 and the beginning of 1.
Very optimistic and intrigued pic.twitter.com/P1FgMqJ7Pe
— Neo (@NeoWokio) October 22, 2020
Even though some fans of the game may be upset about the lack of Fillion, many others took the opportunity to make jokes about the controversy, even bringing in Holland’s role as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. One Twitter user joked that “a normal high student is bitten by a radioactive nathan fillion.”
For his part, Fillion actually said that he’s excited to see Holland take on the part. “We’ve been waiting so long, endured so many false starts, so many dashed hopes, and now it’s here. I put this to you—Tom Holland has never let us down. His ease, charm, and vulnerability make him a perfect choice to play Nathan Drake,” Fillion said in a statement received by Newsweek.
Fillion continued, “Keeping the character young ensures that they will have time to tell more stories, and make more Uncharted movies. And, thank God! This generation needs its Indiana Jones, and Tom is in the perfect position to be that for us. All he needs to do is exactly what he’s been doing—focus his talents and energies to bring life to a much beloved character. Honestly? I can’t wait.”
Naughty Dog, the developer behind the Uncharted video game series, shared a picture on Thursday of Holland on set with voice actor Nolan North, who originally voiced Nathan Drake in the games. “Find someone who looks at you like Nate looks at Nate,” Naughty Dog wrote.
Jim Spellman/Getty
