The Just Cause Movie Has To Avoid 1 Big Uncharted Mistake

Summary The upcoming Just Cause must avoid casting too young of an actor to prevent Uncharted's narrative issues.

Holland's Nathan Drake did not capture his core characteristics, impacting Uncharted's story negatively.

The actor who plays Rico Rodriguez must embody the role fully for a successful film adaptation.

The upcoming Just Cause movie should avoid one mistake made by the Uncharted adaptation that hurt the film's narrative. The announcement of Just Cause's arrival on the big screen could be promising as Square Enix and Universal Pictures team up to bring Avalanche Studios’ action-packed video game franchise to life. However, in order to tell a successful story, Just Cause should avoid one point of casting criticism Uncharted's film adaptation faced.

Just Cause shares many aspects of the Uncharted games, including its massive set pieces and competent protagonists. Even though Uncharted kept many of those basic elements, the film's casting of Tom Holland as treasure hunter Nathan Drake hurt the overall story as Holland's performance contrasted with Drake's established character. Though updates for Uncharted 2 have trickled in, Holland's controversial casting continues to haunt the franchise and, if repeated, could also hurt Just Cause's film debut.

Related Casting Rico Rodriguez: 10 Actors Who Could Play Him In The Just Cause Movie The actor who plays Rico Rodriguez in the upcoming Just Cause movie adaptation must fully embody the role, & many great actors are capable.

Sony's Uncharted Movie Casting Tom Holland Was Too Controversial

Holland Was Unable To Showcase Nathan Drake's Original Characteristics

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Holland's portrayal of Drake in the Uncharted film failed to capture Drake's full character, as his age caused many moments in the story to fall flat. Holland was cast as Sony wanted to have a strong young lead to carry the franchise. This, unfortunately, hurt the film overall as Holland's Drake came off as far too innocent and awkward. While this was meant to be Drake on his first adventure, Holland's portrayal still failed to encapsulate Drake's inherent dry wit and calm under pressure.

One example of this is when Drake works as a bartender early in Uncharted. Holland's Drake is able to sell his knowledge and quick reflexes as he easily manipulates the bottles and drinks. Despite this, his charm comes off as more cute than rugged, with his last line sounding more derisive than dry. This carries into the rest of the film, as his softer humor paired with his panic creates the image of a different kind of hero than Drake. Holland's portrayal truly showcases why Just Cause needs to be careful in casting the story's own hero, Rico Rodriguez.

The Just Cause Movie Has To Avoid The Mistake Of Casting An Actor Too Young

Casting A Too-Young Actor Could Cause The Film To Have Uncharted's Character Issues

To properly capture Rodriguez's journey and character, Just Cause should avoid casting a too-young actor. Uncharted could have worked better with an older actor who could make that rugged yet intelligent personality convincing, something Holland was unable to do. Both Drake and Rodriguez are flawed characters whose pasts and years of experience have molded them in both good and bad ways. In Rodriguez's case, casting an older actor would be especially vital as his journey goes into many dark places.

If someone younger was cast, Rodriguez's darkness would not have the same impact as such behavior would come off more as immaturity.

Rodriguez's shift from dry wit and confidence to a more stoic seriousness would not fit with a younger actor. If someone younger was cast, Rodriguez's darkness would not have the same impact as such behavior would come off as immaturity. Not only that, but balancing his aggressive tendencies with his more friendly moments would be key to Just Cause's story. A younger actor would cause those shifts to appear as someone still discovering themselves over someone having hidden depths, much like in Uncharted.