HBO today announced that Sony’s popular video game franchise, The Last of Us, is being adapted into a television series. This isn’t the first time an adaptation of the franchise has been revealed, though ComicBook.com has learned that the new HBO show will actually replace the previously announced movie. Craig Mazin, the creator of HBO’s Chernobyl, is bringing the series to life with the help of Naughty Dog‘s Neil Druckmann, who will help write and executive produce. And, as expected, folks are by and large excited about it.
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Some additional details have been announced, but all the important bits are sparse at this early stage. Carolyn Strauss and Naughty Dog president Evan Wells will also executive produce, and The Last of Us show is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions — which makes it the first television series for PlayStation Productions. Playstation Productions also happens to be involved with the Uncharted film adaptation, which isn’t surprising given that it’s another Naughty Dog franchise.
Look for the light. @clmazin and @Neil_Druckmann to develop the series adaptation of #TheLastOfUs, coming soon to HBO: https://t.co/z9c2h86EYw pic.twitter.com/AkT6fET4Im
— HBO (@HBO) March 5, 2020
“Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and The Last of Us is his magnum opus,” Mazin said as part of the announcement. “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,” Druckmann added. “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.”
What do you think about the news of a The Last of Us television adaptation? Are you excited to see what comes out of it, or would you have preferred the movie? Let us know in the comments, or hit me up directly on Twitter at @rollinbishop to talk all things gaming!
It’s currently unclear when HBO’s The Last of Us adaptation might release. The Last of Us Part II, the upcoming sequel to the original video game, is set to release for PlayStation 4 on May 29th. You can check out all of our previous coverage of the upcoming video game right here.
Keep reading to see what folks are saying about the news of a The Last of Us television series!
Chills
The Last of Us TV show by HBO with @Neil_Druckmann heading it up with @clmazin. I’ve had constant chills for the past 5 minutes.
— Braedon (@BraedonVG) March 5, 2020
In Neil We Trust
The last thing I expected to read today is that The Last Of Us is getting a TV show.
— Matty (@G27Status) March 5, 2020
In @Neil_Druckmann we trust 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zD1oLgM1hA
Could The Witcher have had something to do with this?
I wonder what percent of The Last of Us pivoting from ill-conceived movie to potentially rad HBO series may have to do with the blockbuster success of The Witcher on Netflix
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) March 5, 2020
Yes, yes, book adaptation, I know, but it has a gaming fanbase, and I bet it was at least a consideration
Folks are already casting people
My pick for Ellie in The Last of Us HBO series. And she played Cassie Drake in Uncharted 4! 👍🏻 #TheLastofUsHBO pic.twitter.com/sXEtN2GQvx
— MessiTheGOAT Part II (@InspiredByLM10) March 5, 2020
It’s wild out there
YOOOOOOOOO HBO IS DEVELOPING A TV SERIES OF THE LAST OF US pic.twitter.com/uF8odaiL56
— Ben Wyatt (@memeforhire) March 5, 2020
Though not everyone is as immediately excited
Looking forward to the episode of HBO’s The Last of Us where Joel moves a ladder around for 45 minutes
— Kirk Hamilton (@kirkhamilton) March 5, 2020
Because prestige TV does have its problems
the last of us needs to be prestige tv not because it’ll be good but so i can yell more at people on how prestige tv is a collection of already canonized templates and visual polish that tricks you into thinking it’s good
— Colin Spacetwinks (@spacetwinks) March 5, 2020
And the games do already exist and function fine
The Last of Us is a great video game and I can’t think of anything I want to do less than watch it recreated in Prestige TV format. Sorry if this offends.
— Granblue Is the Warmest Colour (@alex_navarro) March 5, 2020
