The Last of Us is getting its highly anticipated sequel later this year, but that isn't the only project currently in development for Joel and Ellie. According to Hollywood Reporter, the critically acclaimed PlayStation exclusive is to be adapted into a TV series with HBO. Before you all roll your eyes, a key creative mind behind The Last of Us, Neil Druckmann, is lined up as a writer and executive producer on the adaptation.
He'll be joined by Craig Mazin, creator of HBO series Chernobyl. President of Naughty Dog Evan Wells and HBO's Carolyn Strauss are also down to executive produce the show.
According to the report, this is the first television series to come out of PlayStation Productions, which will co-produce alongside Sony Pictures Television Studios. It will apparently recount the original tale, "with the possibility of additional content based on the forthcoming game sequel".
A TV series sounds ideal for The Last of Us, a game that was already split into segments with each passing season. It seems the right creative talent is being funnelled into this, so we have high hopes this will turn out well. We should prepare for more PlayStation properties to hit the small screen too; Chris Parnell of Sony Pictures Television Studios states: "This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions.”
What do you think of this? Are you excited to see The Last of Us transformed into a TV series on HBO? Have your say in the comments below.
[source hollywoodreporter.com]
Comments 60
Probably hoping for some cross-media momentum like The Witcher enjoyed.
I might check it out.
This is exciting news! HBO has many more hits than they do misses.
I'd be lying I said I wasn't deathly afraid of how this will turn out. But it's happening regardless, so let's hope for the best.
Well then — this is a surprise! Remaining cautiously optimistic for this. Though with Druckmann and some big names behind it we could be in for a treat.
i might watch it, the story always intrigued me but i found the general game play boring which is odd as i love Uncharted and they play similar from a technical standpoint but i guess Uncharted is much more face paced and actiony
@FullbringIchigo I feel exactly the same. Story was awesome but I too found the gameplay so so. Much more excited about this than the game coming. Hopefully it turns out good!
@kenyowa I'm pretty confident in it. It really has all the recipes for being good. HBO is second to none when it comes to television shows and they were the trailblazers of great TV going as far back as the 90s. Plus with Neil druckman on board and involved gives me alot of faith that'll be handled correctly.
Oh lord no, it’s going to be terrible. Chances are it’ll be decent for the first 5 episodes then tank, same as every other zombie thing out there. Plus it’s HBO so it’ll end up being 2 years or more between series.
This has the potential to be really good.
The real question is - how do you make this different enough so that isn't perceived as TWD w/ even more graphic gore.
I can already see the blurbs now "The thinking man's Walking Dead".
This is huge. Hopefully it realises its potential.
I mean...the majority of the series has pretty much been scripted and storyboarded already.
In fact, most of the game could be shot as a show "as is". Combat sections need to be modified for film and camera changes would need to be made on the memorable moments that happen during exploration in the game.
I could see this being a wonderful series in the right hands. None of the impact would be lost.
Hmmm not sure as it may feel to me like the Walking Dead with a mix if anyone remembers it Evolution TV series where there's no electric due to an EMP it lasted 2 series and then got canned
AWESOME NEWS!
@FullbringIchigo Most people don't know how to play or know what you can do in TLoU (myself included). This guy does stuff I never knew were possible.
https://youtu.be/i4Y0DQgbLkE
https://youtu.be/0EXRDujHjTU
TLoU is a more strategic and tactical game. Does not make it boring. It takes more skill than Uncharted. It has a ton of action in its combat, but you have to learn how it works.
@GodGamer well boring is a frame of mind and unique to each person, what one finds boring another can find exciting so for me yes that does make it boring but for someone else i can't say
Amazing. HBO is the perfect place for a top property like this.
Even more now they looking for their next big thing. And also their subscribers.
A perfect fit, the narrarive pretty much carries the game.
I'll definitely check it out. No so-called "zombie fatigue" here. Has the potential to be quite interesting, providing they take a darker 'serious' approach rather than a light-hearted 'comedic' approach. i.e. More 'Walking Dead' than 'Z Nation'.
"This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions.”
So God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn etc could be next as well, exciting suff.
@Paranoimia I can never be zombied out, I just love it so much.
"It will apparently recount the original tale"
The game will be better than the tv series I bet. I wish it was an original story- we already have 'the walking dead' and 100 other zombie tv shows.
most of my favorite TV shows ever made were by HBO & Sony so this is in very good hands.
Could be good, HBO are famed for producing some of the greatest TV shows ever made so the potential is there.
Rules out a Days Gone series though which is a shame imo.
@Bliquid Meh. You're entitled to your opinion of course but I think you're way off on this one.
😝
This good be amazing if done right.
Totally not need it show. TLoU is already very narrative game.
They will do yet another zombie show. And probably focus most of the show narrative on Ellie sexuality like ND is already doing in TLoU 2.
The Witcher may have opened up the flood gates now. Look for Amazon Prime, Hulu, AppleTV to all have some exclusive programming to bring the gamers to their service.
@makina Don't watch it then, simples.
Who knows? It might work. However for me i would be more interested in an HBO series of Fallout 3 or New Vegas and as a comedy.
Horizon Zero Dawn would work better as a potential new film franchise than as a TV show.
One series that HBO or Netflix should do is Red Dead Redemption. Maybe start with the failed Blackwater mission and fill in some of the blanks.
Kind of disappointed it wasn't on Netflix I won't pay for HBO and I don't trust them to handle this the right way
Just an 8 part mini series. I don't want 10 seasons of this. Maybe do a 2nd mini series based on the 2nd game.
But in general this is amazing news. I've always said this game shouldn't be a movie, but a HBO mini series. So you can all thank me for this, you're welcome.
I would love to watch it but I wont get HBO just to see it. I will stick with Netflix for all my TV viewing.
@Bliquid @GKO900 lol wut
HBO messes up one season of one show and suddenly they're the scum of the earth. Chill out, guys. The people in charge of this show at least know what they're doing - Chernobyl is great, and Neil Druckmann is literally in charge of the franchise.
@makina TLoU 2 isn't focused on her sexuality though?
Ellie was basically confirmed to be a lesbian as early as the first game's DLC (Left Behind). The second game seems to be her seeking revenge after her love interest (who happens to also be female) is killed, nothing more.
They want that Witcher money and attention, I hope it does well and brings more eyes to the series.
@Bliquid
You can say that about 95% of all rated Mature games, you only play E for everyone games? I don't understand your problem 🤨
"distasteful, perverted and false.
It bathes in humankind at its worst, and it even tries to make it look cool and intense."
Sooo basically you don't play any Rockstar games then 😄
Craig Mazin Eh? Hopefully he casts Trevor as Joel.
“Finish yer gravy, Mo!”
The time is ripe for games to TV series or movies imo. Why? Cos I reckon those who work in the tv/movie industry are just as much passionate gamers as we are. Yeah Mario the movie was pants, and so was streetfighter the movie. But in those days games weren't taken seriously. Love to see mass effect, red dead redemption, zelda, etc take to the TV screens!
It Would Be Cool If They Can Turn Jak And Daxter Into Animated TV Show Next. Also Where is That Twisted Metal Show They Were Working on.
@makina ellie is not allowed to have a love story? Sit down little boy
@DFaceG_Rebooted They messes up 2 seasons of that show. But yeah, Chernobyl was good.
Like @b1ackjack said, I'd be interested if it were an original story, maybe exploring the time gap between the prologue and main story of the first game, or better yet, the gap between the first and second games, but if it's just an adaptation of the first game, then I gotta ask: What's the draw for those who've already played and finished it?
Cast Hugh Jackman as Joel.
Did I spy an 'S' on the end of "forthcoming sequel" there?
This could be really decent. Obviously we all know the main thread of the story but they could flesh out a lot of stuff like Bill's story (best NPC in the game). Tommy and Maria at the power station, Marlene's journey after getting injured in Boston and travelling to Salt Lake City etc. There's plenty to go at really.
HBO isn't afraid to have gruesome scenes. I am excited.
I want this on netflix since I don't watch hbo.
@nessisonett Well it can't be much worse than Netflix's Witcher.
Still can't wrap my head around how some people claim it's one of the best shows out there. But fanboys would be fanboys.
So far the only good game-movie/TV-show is Netflix's Castlevania. They took a certain amount of artistic liberties, but still managed to respect the source material.
Now the question remains, will HBOs TLOU manage to pull that off. I'm quite pessimistic myself, tho if it's half as good as Chernobyl show, it will be a must watch.
If this is a retelling of the first game then these two need to be cast or the show isn't worth it.
@DominatorV93 See, I didn’t mind Witcher because it didn’t take itself too seriously. This is absolutely going to be a continuation of the whole ‘grimdark’ aesthetic that’s just so very dated now. But it’ll still get rave reviews about it being ‘cerebral’ and ‘the smart man’s zombie show’.
@kenyowa did you read the article
@nessisonett another person didn't read the article
@Undeadlogan Does the article say ‘This show is 100% going to be good’?
@undeadlogan Sure did. The creators' involvement guarantees nothing. GRRM was directly involved in Game of Thrones for years and the show was still a trainwreck. I'll believe this is good when I see it. Until then, I'll remain uneasy.
I wonder - why not to cast the original actors from the game? It's pure logic, nobody else would play the part as good as them. Of course if the case is that the face of the real actor was even used for the game. Otherwise it wouldn't make sense.
@DonJorginho If you remember back in the day before release, many were saying that Ellie looks like Ellen Page aka Jodie from Beyond: Two souls whch had similar release date. After that criticism they've altered Ellie's look. So it's only a natural choice to think of Ellen Page now, but I suppose she's too old for that part now.
@kenyowa the next tv series you gonna complain about is resident evil
@undeadlogan Don't think I will since I don't care about RE in the slightest, but you're free to tell yourself that.
@kenyowa ok boo
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