HBO is making ‘The Last of Us’ TV series
If there is one video game you should have played in the last decade it’s Naughty Dog’s epic survival horror The Last of Us. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, the Playstation exclusive is a harrowing tale about two survivors of a zombie-like apocalypse that has devastated the United States. The game is set Twenty years after the initial outbreak, where grizzled survivor Joel is hired to escort seemingly immune teen Ellie out of the quarantine zone and into the hands of a renegade group called the Fireflies. The unlikely due begin an adventure which stretches from Boston to Salt Lake City, taking them through the derelict and bleak landscape of a post apocalyptic US, all whilst under the constant threat of the pursuing soldiers, bandits and the terrifying infected.
News this coming week, from the Hollywood Report, is that HBO have teamed up with Craig Mazin, the creator of the acclaimed limited series Chernobyl, to adapt a new TV series based on the game. With the likes of Castlevania and The Witcher already enjoying a successful TV streak on Netflix, it seems the The Last of Us will be in good company as their is a growing interest in video game adaptations. Other adaptations currently in the works are Borderlands, Halo and Final Fantasy.
Chris Parnell, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, hinted of future projects, saying
This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions… 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.
Naughty Dog are also the company behind the Uncharted series, which recently announced the hotly awaited film adaptation starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. One thing is for sure, that Naughty Dog are taking their adaptations very seriously.
With the The Last of Us announcement, the internet exploded (more of a muffled fart) with folks guessing at casting choices, with Hugh Jackman being the top choice to play Joe, if they can persuade him into taking a TV role. Sadly, Ellen Page is ten years too old to pick up the role of young Eli, but Dafne Keen might be a good fit, and kinda make for the unofficial sequel to Logan that you’ve always wanted.
2020 will see the sequel to The Last of Us hit the PS4 and will continue the story of Ellie and Joel. If the TV series gets picked up past a first series, the sequel game may provide writers with a plot for a second series.