Sources tell Nexus Point News that Danny Ramirez will not be returning to The Last of Us in season three as Manny. Casting for this season is currently underway and the character will be recast. Reasons for Ramirez’s recasting are currently unknown. Although his appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars is currently unconfirmed, his commitments for the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have posed a potential conflict.
HBO’s The Last of Us is based on the video game series of the same name developed by Naughty Dog and created by Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley. The award-winning games follow survivors of a post-apocalyptic America taken over by fungal-infected zombies.
The television series was developed by Druckmann and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) who both also served as showrunners for seasons one and two. Mazin will serve as the sole showrunner for season three, as well as returning to direct multiple episodes. Season one of the series released in 2023 starring Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie and won eight Emmy awards. Season two added Kaitlyn Dever to the cast as Abby along with Ramirez, Young Mazino, Isabela Merced, Spencer Lord, and Catherine O’Hara. Dever is set to return and lead season three with this upcoming season continuing to adapt the second game. Production will commence in March and shoot through November of next year in Vancouver.
Ramirez is best known for his role as Joaquin Torres/Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a role he first portrayed on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Ramirez returned in Captain America: Brave New World and will return in Avengers: Doomsday. Ramirez is also known for his role in the critically acclaimed, Top Gun: Maverick. Additionally, Ramirez will reunite with Captain America: Brave New World director, Julius Onah on his next film Samo Lives.
The Last of Us season 3 will begin production next year for HBO.