'Uncharted': Tom Holland's first look as Nathan Drake makes fans wish Nathan Fillion had been cast instead
Fans are wishing that Nathan Fillion was cast as Nathan Drake for the upcoming 'Uncharted' film after Tom Holland shared photos of himself in the role in a tweet. His tweet's caption read: "It’s nice to meet you, I’m Nate. #uncharted", featuring him dressed as the Nathan "Nate" Drake character in a low angle shot.
It’s nice to meet you, I’m Nate. #uncharted pic.twitter.com/v79Mvy26iH
— Tom Holland (@TomHolland1996) October 22, 2020
However, he couldn't have anticipated that the response to his character's photo reveal was not a 'Tom Holland' or 'Uncharted' Twitter trend. Rather it was Nathan Fillion ('Firefly', 'Castle').
The reason was that people familiar with the game thought Fillion would be a better fit because he is old and tall enough and resembles the character. "This is awful casting. Didn’t even know about the film but Tom Holland is 5’7” and Nathan Drake should be about 6’2”. I think he’s even based on Nathan Fillion physically", said one fan, while another said: "Holland is definitely the Nathan Drake we need, but @NathanFillion will always be the Drake we deserved."
This is awful casting. Didn’t even know about the film but Tom Holland is 5’7” and Nathan Drake should be about 6’2”. I think he’s even based on Nathan Fillion physically
— Emmanuel (@emansiji) October 22, 2020
Holland is definitely the the Nathan Drake we need, but @NathanFillion will always be the Drake we deserved. pic.twitter.com/ZJvC3tURAd
— Andrew Johnson (@UNTDrew) October 22, 2020
One fan, replying to Holland's tweet, linked to a fan-made Youtube video starring Nathan Fillion as Drake, tweeting: "This is what we wanted tho", while another screenshotted Daniel Craig saying, 'It makes no damn sense' to a tweet stating: "when they make an uncharted movie with tom holland when nathan fillion exists". Another joked using Holland's stint as Spiderman, saying: "a normal high school student is bitten by a radioactive nathan fillion."
when they make an uncharted movie with tom holland when nathan fillion exists pic.twitter.com/MCgWX5odxi
— 🦇bone daddy🦇 (@jessep1ier) October 22, 2020
a normal high school student is bitten by a radioactive nathan fillion https://t.co/DJPwFcZqkm
— The Abominable Dr. Lutz (@WarrenIsDead) October 22, 2020
However, Tom Holland fans clapped back saying Fillion was too old to play the part that required a high degree of athleticism and that the film would be about a younger Nathan Drake anyway, which made Holland perfect for the part. "Nathan Fillion is 49, Drake is very active and does crazy stunts. As much as I would have loved to see Fillion as Drake, it’s too late for him to do that role. It’s apparent them using Holland is because they are hoping it will become a franchise," said one tweet in response to a tweet rooting for Fillion as Drake. Another user tweeted: "The movie apparently is about his origins, which is why he's young".
Nathan Fillion is 49, Drake is very active and does crazy stunts. As much as I would have loved to see Fillion as Drake, it’s too late for him to do that role. It’s apparent them using Holland is because they are hoping it will become a franchise.
— Karina Hernandez (@MomStar83) October 22, 2020
The movie apparently is about his origins, which is why he's young
— Leoba Nova (@LeobaNova) October 22, 2020
Other fans took the middle ground in the Fillion Vs. Holland casting choice. One user tweeted: "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." Another said: "Mixed feelings. I know this is meant to be a younger drake but idk, we’ll have to see how he does.". Another reminded himself to be more open about casting choices saying: "I immediately wrote Heath Ledger off when he was cast as the Joker. I’m going to give Tom Holland a chance."
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.
— Neo (@NeoWokio) October 22, 2020
Very optimistic and intrigued pic.twitter.com/P1FgMqJ7Pe
Mixed feelings. I know this is meant to be a younger drake but idk, we’ll have to see how he does
— arthen (@arthen15) October 22, 2020
I immediately wrote Heath Ledger off when he was cast as the Joker. I’m going to give Tom Holland a chance.
— ncbjd (@ncbjd) October 22, 2020
Holland however got an endorsement from the man who played Nathan Drake in the video games -- Nolan North. He tweeted from his handle: "Like looking into a mirror! Proud to have @TomHolland1996 continuing the Drake legacy! Absolutely smashing it! Thanks for the set visit!! @unchartedmovie."
Like looking into a mirror! Proud to have @TomHolland1996 continuing the Drake legacy! Absolutely smashing it!
— Nolan North (@nolan_north) October 22, 2020
Thanks for the set visit!!@unchartedmovie pic.twitter.com/sfiFYUJVyH
North first performed motion capture for the character Nathan Drake for the video game 'Uncharted: Drake's Fortune'. Since then, he has continued to portray the character in 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' (released in 2009), 'Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception' (released in 2011), and 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End' (released in 2016).
'Uncharted', the film, is expected to come to theaters in 2021 on July 16.