<p id=”par-1_58″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/actors/”>Actor</a> Nathan Fillion <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/nathan-fillions-net-worth-famous-for.html/”>may be famous for</a> starring in projects like <em>Firefly </em>and <em>Castle</em>. But there was a point where he was a popular casting choice among fans for a live action adaptation for the <em>Uncharted </em>games. When the adaptation was finally made, however, a role that many felt should’ve been Fillion’s went to a different actor instead.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-nathan-fillion-wasn-t-cast-in-uncharted-despite-his-strong-resemblance-to-nathan-drake”>Nathan Fillion wasn’t cast in ‘Uncharted’ despite his strong resemblance to Nathan Drake</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Uncharted-Nathan-Fillion.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Nathan Fillion sitting down holding a microphone while attending AOL’S ‘BUILD’ series.” class=”wp-image-3751071″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nathan Fillion | Dominik Bindl/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_112″>It seemed it was only a matter of time before Sony’s<em> Uncharted</em> games got a film adaptation. As is the case with <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/5-video-game-movies-look-forward-2022.html/”>many popular gaming franchises</a>, <em>Uncharted </em>eventually did make its way to the big screen. The 2022 film named after it ended up starring Tom Holland as the franchise’s treasure hunter Nathan Drake, with <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/uncharted-tom-holland-sets-record-straight-height-difference-mark-wahlberg.html/”>Mark Wahlberg playing his mentor</a>. Prior to their casting, however, many fans of the franchise clamored for Fillion to star in a potential movie. With Fillion’s experience in sci-fi and action adventure films, <em>Uncharted </em>seemed to be right up the actor’s alley. Additionally, Drake looked exactly like Fillion, which was a resemblance Fillion picked up on early.</p>
<p id=”par-3_58″>“I noted similarities when the game came out, just like everybody else. I’ve been on the internet. I’ve seen the fans’ reactions and the requests for me to play the role. It’s not lost on me. Like everybody else, I’ve been waiting to see what Sony does with it. I’ve been waiting for the movie,” Fillion told <a href=”https://collider.com/nathan-fillion-uncharted-fan-film-firefly-revival/”>Collider</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-4_74″>Despite fan demand, Fillion was never considered for the role even as far back in the 2010s. When an <em>Uncharted </em>adaptation was first announced, Wahlberg was actually tapped to play Drake instead of Fillion. <em>The Fighter </em>director David O. Russell was supposed to direct Wahlberg’s version of the film adaptation. When Fillion heard the news at the time, he expressed a bit of disappointment, but he understood why the studio ultimately went with Wahlberg.</p>
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<iframe title=”UNCHARTED – Official Trailer (HD)” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHp3MbsCbMg?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-5_43″>“Mark Wahlberg, I think that’s a talented guy,” Fillion told <em>The Nerdist </em>(via <a href=”https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/uncharted-movie-wont-star-nathan-fillion-might-star-eva-mendes-flna124698″>NBC News</a>) in a 2010 interview. “I think he does great work, that guy, and he’s a huge international star, which I am not. I am not. I will be.”</p>
<p id=”par-6_39″>“So sure I would have loved it, but I can’t fault anybody for any of the choices they make,” Fillion added. “You’re gonna make a movie, make it the way you’re gonna make it and have a great time.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_15″>Fillion showed the same level of excitement when Holland was officially cast in the role.</p>
<p id=”par-8_89″>“When they announced Tom Holland, I was actually very excited. I’m a huge Tom Holland fan. There has not been a better Spider-Man,” he said. “I’m sorry, I love all of the Spider-Man movies and I think everybody did a great job, but I think Marvel has really put a choke hold on excellent stories that are well told with great actors. They’re doing a great job. So, I’m really excited to see what Sony does with the movie and with Tom Holland. I just got tired of waiting.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-nathan-fillion-was-cast-in-the-uncharted-short-film”>How Nathan Fillion was cast in the ‘Uncharted’ short film</h2>
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<iframe title=”Uncharted’s Nathan Fillion And Allan Ungar On Secrets Of Uncharted Fan Film | SDCC 2018 | SYFY WIRE” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/hf9TrZFMCU4?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-9_42″>Fillion would eventually play his own interpretation of the character in an <em>Uncharted </em>live action fan film. The movie was only 14 minutes, but after years of disappointment, Fillion was glad to finally step in the role in one way or another.</p>
<p id=”par-10_26″>“Now, it’s done. It’s such a tease, but now we have something. We can, at least, have a taste. We can scratch that itch,” Fillion said.</p>
<p id=”par-11_24″>The short film was directed by Allan Ungar, who personally pitched the idea to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/nathan-fillion-explained-the-rookie-still-earns-title.html/”><em>The Rookie </em>star</a>. Ungar met Fillion through a mutual friend.</p>
<p id=”par-12_131″>“I was out a couple years ago on Halloween and I met a fella dressed as Captain Canada, and he had a little Frisbee for a shield. I said, ‘Hey, not for nothing, but I’m Canadian’” Fillion recalled. “He was Canadian. I said, ‘I’m Canadian, as well, and last year, I dressed as a World War II version of Captain Canada, and I have a b****in’ shield that you could be using.’ He came by the next day and picked it up for another party that he went to. His name was Alex. We remained friends. He’s a very talented producer, and his friend Allan said, ‘Hey, you know Nathan. I want to do a project with him and I want you to pitch it.’ That’s where it all started. “</p>
<p id=”par-13_23″>After speaking to Ungar about the <em>Uncharted </em>short film, Fillion, who also played the games, was convinced Ungar was right for the job.</p>
<p id=”par-14_56″>“Allan is dedicated. Allan loves the game. He doesn’t see a need to change the story. He doesn’t see a need to change the character. It’s perfect the way it is. Knowing that about Allan, I thought, ‘You know what? This project, in this fella’s hands, would be safe and I would be honored,’” Fillion said.</p>
<p id=”par-15_21″>Judging by the short film’s 14 million views and its overwhelming positive reception, Fillion was right to have faith in Ungar.</p>