In a rare yet stunning development, a Last of Us series is officially in the works at HBO.
THR is exclusively reporting that the premium channel has re-teamed with Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin to adapt The Last of Us. The game’s creative director, Neil Druckmann, who is also creative director on its sequel, is on board to write and executive produce the series.
“Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and The Last of Us is his magnum opus,” said Mazin. “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.”
Carolyn Strauss will also exec produce along with Evan Wells, the president of Naughty Dog. The television series is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions. It will be the first television series from PlayStation Productions.
“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,” said Druckmann in a statement. “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.”
The original 2013 masterpiece won year-end accolades, including multiple Game of the Year awards from several gaming publications, critics, and game award ceremonies, and is considered one of the greatest video games ever made.
In The Last of Us, players control Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a teenage girl, Ellie, across a post-apocalyptic United States. Upon release, it received critical acclaim, with praise directed towards its narrative, gameplay, visuals, sound design, and depiction of female characters.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to partner with Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the teams at Sony, Naughty Dog and PlayStation to bring the virtual world of this acclaimed game to life,” stated HBO programming president Casey Bloys.
The series is set to cover the events of the first game, which was written by Druckmann. There is a possibility of more episodes based on the forthcoming game sequel, The Last of Us Part II, which will release on May 29, 2020.
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