Johan Renck directed every episode of the absolutely terrific Chernobyl for HBO last year. The limited series, written by Craig Mazin, told the inside story of the truly Earth-shattering disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. Mazin’s script packed in tons of scientific fact and humanity and Renck’s direction was pitch-perfect. It was heavy, it was dour, it was bathed in dread. Chernobyl was a damn masterpiece but it was not cheerful viewing.
It should come as no surprise that Renck is now attached to work on the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us. The video game adaptation promises to be incredibly dark (it’s about a hopeless post-apocalyptic America where infected people become monstrous violent ghouls) and will be written by Renck’s buddy, Mazin. So this is right up the filmmaker’s alley.
The director confirmed his work on The Last of Us while speaking with Discussing Film. He revealed that he an executive producer on the project and will direct too, though he will probably only direct “at least” the pilot. The Last of Us will be an ongoing series, not a limited one like Chernobyl. So don’t expect to see Renck behind the camera too often.
“I’m an executive producer on it and attached to it. It’s an ongoing TV series. So that’s not something that I will be able to take on to that extent, but I’m part of that series and I will be directing at least the pilot. Then we’ll see how it goes on further. I mean, both Craig and I, we are working with each other again and we will work with each other on other things because we like each other.”
It’s good to hear that Mazin and Renck enjoy working together so much because they really do complement each other quite well. Like I said, Chernobyl was something really special and The Last of Us promises to be similar to that, just on a larger scale. Again, it probably won’t be a TV show that puts a smile on your face or warms your heart but it’ll definitely be expertly written and directed.
A lot of people are looking forward to HBO’s take on The Last of Us. The video game has been heralded as one of the greatest of all time with special praise behind directed at the emotional heft of the story and characters. Fans should be downright salivating about Mazin and now Renck’s involvement.
