The PlayStation video game The Last Of Us is considered not just one of the best-written games of all time but one of the best-written anythings of all time. People adored the gritty, post-apocalyptic adventure game and praised the tension, the direction, the acting and especially the script. People cite it as an example of what next level gaming can be, a piece of work that transcends the medium and gives us something with true emotion and humanity.
There has been talking of turning the game into something for awhile. A movie adaptation was in the works for a hot second but that fell apart. Now we are hearing that HBO is developing the game into a television series, to be written and produced by the game’s creator, Neil Druckmann as well as Chernobyl writer Craig Mazin. Based on their previous work, you can bet the show will retain the same dark and hopeless feelings from the game. And, no, I don’t mean Mazin’s work on Superhero Movie.
The Last Of Us is the story of a decimated society that was completely ruined by a highly-contagious fungus that turns humans into freakish monsters. But the game is actually more than just that: it’s about a survivor, Joel, and his quest to smuggle young Ellie to safety across a dangerous and terrifying America. The game plays up themes of family, fatherhood, love and, of course, right versus wrong. Like I said, people praised the game for its heavy, heavy subject matter.
Fans have wanted an adaptation for a long time and the news that it’ll happen at HBO is going to make them all very happy. Why? Because HBO has the sort of sensibilities and budget that will do The Last Of Us justice. They won’t shy away from the violence or horror. And they also won’t skimp on casting or monetary resources. This is basically a best case scenario for fans of the video game. And the game’s creator is writing and producing? How could things get any better?
Now let’s start a countdown clock until HBO announces that they nabbed Hugh Jackman for the lead role of Joel.