Earlier today, Sony officially cancelled their previously announced movie based on The Last of Us, replacing it with an upcoming HBO series by Chernobyl screenwriter and director, Craig Mazin. While the news came as a welcome surprise to fans of the video game, it turns out that Mazin had actually teased the news back in September of last year! Mazin and Naughty Dog Vice President Neil Druckmann had an exchange on Twitter about The Last of Us Part II, prompting YouTuber Steven McInerney to ask them to work on something together. Mazin replied with a simple “Okay.” At the time, no one would have thought twice about it, but Mazin has confirmed that they were, in fact, in talks at that point.
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On Twitter, McInerney took a bit of a victory lap over the announcement, jokingly taking credit for making the series happen. Mazin came in to burst McInerney’s bubble, but the YouTuber just seems happy that Mazin has joined The Last of Us series. Regardless of how Mazin came onboard, it is interesting to see the exchange. It just goes to show that sometimes the interactions fans have on Twitter can elicit responses that might pay off, down the line!
Mazin does seem like the perfect person to bring The Last of Us to life for HBO. Chernobyl showed that Mazin is quite capable of adapting a powerful and dramatic tale of a possible end of the world scenario. Chernobyl won several awards for HBO, and proved to be one of the network’s biggest hits, last year. Given this, it’s easy to see how McInerney would have wanted to see Mazin join the series in the first place!
Oh fuck. You’ve got me to thank for this! Actually amazing. https://t.co/nE519PFB4x pic.twitter.com/mMfGULyMiC
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) March 5, 2020
Course you were mate… ha! 😉
But in all seriousness – absolutely buzzing for this. It’s going to be immense 🙂
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) March 5, 2020
On top of his talents behind the camera, Mazin clearly has a passion for video games, as well. The initial Twitter exchange between Druckmann and Mazin certainly shows it, but Mazin is also signed on to write the script for a movie based on 2K Games’ Borderlands franchise, which will be directed by Eli Roth.
Are you excited for The Last of Us series on HBO? What do you think of Mazin’s hiring? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp to talk all things gaming!
