HBO - The Last of Us

[Sure-Oz]

@HBO: Look for the light.

@clmazin and @Neil_Druckmann to develop the series adaptation of #TheLastOfUs, coming soon to HBO: http://itsh.bo/thelastofus https://twitter.com/HBO/status/12356...572032/video/1

The Last of Us' Series in the Works at HBO From 'Chernobyl' Creator Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann (Exclusive)

MARCH 05, 2020 9:30AMby*Borys Kit, Patrick Shanley

Craig Mazin, the creator of the acclaimed limited series*Chernobyl,*is reteaming with HBO adapt*The Last of Us, the massive Sony PlayStation video game franchise.
In a rare development in the world of video game adaptations, the writer and creative director of the game, Neil Druckmann, is also involved, and will work with Mazin to pen and executive produce what is intended to be a series.

Carolyn Strauss will also executive produce along with Evan Wells, the president of Naughty Dog, the Santa Monica-based developer of the game. The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and in association with PlayStation Productions and it will be the first television series from PlayStation Productions.
Originally launched in 2013, Sony and Naughty Dog’s*The Last of Us*garnered critical praise for its engrossing tale of the post-apocalypse centered on the relationship between Joel, a smuggler in this new world, and Ellie, a teenager who may be a key to a cure for the deadly pandemic.
Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle the14-year-old girl out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival. The HBO series will cover the events of the original game, which was written by Druckmann, with the possibility of additional content based on the forthcoming game sequel,*The Last of Us Part II, which will release on May 29, 2020.
Mazin, who is said to be an avid player of the game, stated, “Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and*The Last of Us*is his magnum opus. Getting a chance to adapt this breathtaking work of art has been a dream of mine for years, and I’m so honored to do it in partnership with Neil.”
“From the first time I sat down to talk with Craig I was equally blown away by his approach to narrative and his love and deep understanding of*The Last of Us,” said Druckmann in a statement. “With*Chernobyl, Craig and HBO created a tense, harrowing, emotional masterpiece. I couldn’t think of better partners to bring the story of*The Last of Us*to life as a television show.”
Last of Us*won numerous “game of the year” awards and went on to sell more than 17 million copies across both its original release on the PlayStation 3 and a remastered version on the PlayStation 4.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to partner with Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the teams at Sony, Naughty Dog and PlayStation to bring the virtual world of this acclaimed game to life,” stated HBO programming president Casey Bloys.
“This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions,” said Chris Parnell, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios.*The Last of Us*is a brilliant achievement in storytelling and character development, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to work with this team to adapt it.”
Druckmann is a longtime vet of Naughty Dog, starting as a programming intern in 2004. In 2007, he was given the role of game designer on*Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the first installment in the action adventure series. In 2013, he created*The Last of Us, based on a concept he developed as a student at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mazin’s*Chernobyl*tackled a bleak and complex true-life event and became a must-see show for HBO. The show won an Emmy for outstanding limited series and landed one for Mazin for outstanding writing. Mazin also won a PGA and a WGA Award.


Holy shit this is gonna be awesome.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

Did you finish the episode?

Spoiler!

Joel does take her, so why doesn't Tommy also go? He clearly had no problem with taking her.

I feel Tommy felt forced and guilty by Joel to do it, like he didn't have a choice. He really didn't want to go but was going to do it for his brother. I assume that changed to the original thought once Joel said I got this. They could've explained that a bit better I guess.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

Hell no, the second one was great storytelling.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Did you not like what happened in it or did you not like the way the story was told? I wasn't happy at the beginning either but at the end with the whole picture, it was amazing.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

Did you not like what happened in it or did you not like the way the story was told? I wasn't happy at the beginning either but at the end with the whole picture, it was amazing.

Everything about it. It's a vastly inferior narrative to the first game that relies on lazy tropes and an overplayed central theme that I've read and watched literally dozens of times before. And no, it's not about THAT. the most offensive thing about THAT is wasting it on such a lousy story.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Everything about it. It's a vastly inferior narrative to the first game that relies on lazy tropes and an overplayed central theme that I've read and watched literally dozens of times before. And no, it's not about THAT. the most offensive thing about THAT is wasting it on such a lousy story.

I won't argue, media is what it is to each person. I loved it.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

I won't argue, media is what it is to each person. I loved it.

It wouldn't be nearly as disappointing as a standalone idea, but the fact it's a sequel to one of the most beloved stories in gaming and it let so many people down for various reasons is why I get so hateful towards it.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

It wouldn't be nearly as disappointing as a standalone idea, but the fact it's a sequel to one of the most beloved stories in gaming and it let so many people down for various reasons is why I get so hateful towards it.

I went in knowing it would not be able to stand up to the first one and to think of it as a standalone thing to add to the world. There was no way for it to stand up and compete with the original. I didn't let anything spoil it for me and played it completely blind without any input from others or spoilers. I was angry at THAT, but it came full circle and I think it did end up standing on its own as a great piece of story if you divorce it from the expectations of the first game.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

I won't argue, media is what it is to each person. I loved it.

I loved it too but damn it was grueling to get through.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I loved it too but damn it was grueling to get through.

It felt grueling after THAT one part, but I began to enjoy it a lot more at about the half way point, to the point I caught myself at times actually disliking what Ellie was doing and sympathizing with Abbie even.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I'd say some infected scenes for sure...and I believe a touching scene too. They definitely have to rush now. It's too bad HBO didn't know this would kickass because I bet they would have given them a few more episodes to work with. HBO did risk it though considering video game adaptations always suck.

It has to be a balance. HBO isn't making this show strictly for people who played the game. If you start extending the season and adding episodes just so you can add more stuff from the game....then it becomes less popular with everyone else.

Would I like to see a couple more episodes? Sure. But I get why they're doing what they're doing.

[Sassy Squatch]

Nope. I've seen the same story told better multiple times.

Spoiler!

When one of your main narratives is 'Breaking the cycle of Revenge and Hatred', you had better do your damn best to make sure the audience actually cares for the characters involved, and that's where Druckmann failed miserably for a lot of people. The only death that left any sort of impact is Joel's, and the way it was executed left such a sour taste that after that it's literally just wiping out cannon fodder alternatively from each respective group.

The ONLY meaningful side character introduced in this game is Lev. That's a far cry from the likes of Tess, Bill, Henry, Sam, and the Jackson community. Hell, even David is a much better antagonist than anything from this game. A lot of that has to do with lazily using tropes to garner sympathy instead of trying to give them even a semblance of a unique backstory.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

It felt grueling after THAT one part, but I began to enjoy it a lot more at about the half way point, to the point I caught myself at times actually disliking what Ellie was doing and sympathizing with Abbie even.

Well, that's another massive problem. When they make Ellie as unlikable as they did at parts, who the hell am I even supposed to care about or be invested in then? Abby?

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Nope. I've seen the same story told better multiple times.

Spoiler!

When one of your main narratives is 'Breaking the cycle of Revenge and Hatred', you had better do your damn best to make sure the audience actually cares for the characters involved, and that's where Druckmann failed miserably for a lot of people. The only death that left any sort of impact is Joel's, and the way it was executed left such a sour taste that after that it's literally just wiping out cannon fodder alternatively from each respective group.

The ONLY meaningful side character introduced in this game is Lev. That's a far cry from the likes of Tess, Bill, Henry, Sam, and the Jackson community. Hell, even David is a much better antagonist than anything from this game. A lot of that has to do with lazily using tropes to garner sympathy instead of trying to give them even a semblance of a unique backstory.

Druckmann took the Rian Johnson path, and he forever sucks for it.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

It felt grueling after THAT one part, but I began to enjoy it a lot more at about the half way point, to the point I caught myself at times actually disliking what Ellie was doing and sympathizing with Abbie even.

Definitely felt th same. It was a great story...I really hope we get a 3rd one.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

It has to be a balance. HBO isn't making this show strictly for people who played the game. If you start extending the season and adding episodes just so you can add more stuff from the game....then it becomes less popular with everyone else.



Would I like to see a couple more episodes? Sure. But I get why they're doing what they're doing.

Oh for sure...I'm loving every second and get it too. I really don't want this season to be ending in a few weeks.