The actors for both Joel and Ellie in HBO’sThe Last of Usseries have not played the games and were even encouraged not to. Video game adaptations are often tricky things to get right, as proven by years of lukewarm reception to projects based on iconic gaming franchises. However, with recentsuccesses such asCyberpunk: EdgerunnersandArcane, some fans out there now have some hope when it comes to the adaptations of their favorite games.
It seems that a lot of big studios are also looking to invest heavily in video game adaptations, as a few substantial projects are currently in the works including aGod of Warshow from Amazon Prime, aHorizonseries being produced at Netflix, theFalloutadaptation, andThe Last of UsHBO series, which just saw the launch of its first trailer. WithThe Last of Usand its sequel both focusing heavily on cinematic moments and storytelling, many have wanted a film or TV adaptation of the story of Joel and Ellie for years.
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Two people that perhaps aren’t as familiar with the stories of Joel and Ellie are reportedly the people playing them. According to an interview with USA Today, actress Bella Ramsey, who is set to play Ellie in the HBOThe Last of Usseries, stated that she hadn’t played the game. When asked in the first audition whether she’d had a chance to play eitherThe Last of Usor its sequel, Ramsey simply said “nope,” and the people auditioning her told her to “keep it that way.”
Just because Ramsey hasn’t played the game herself doesn’t mean that she has no experience with it. She did admit to watching some of the gameplay on YouTube to get a sense for the world ofThe Last of Us. Also, Ramsey went onto say that she is “so excited” for the show to release. Pedro Pascal, thestar ofThe Mandolorianwho plays Joel inThe Last of Us, also reportedly hasn’t spent much time with games, only catching a glimpse of them through watching his nephew play.
According to Pascal, he wanted to keep a distance from the game’s version of Joel and his own, in order not to “imitate too much” of what he saw in the games. Even without its stars playing the games, it seems clear from theteaser ofThe Last of Usseriesthat HBO is playing close attention to its source material, even showing off a clicker that looks like it jumped straight from a PlayStation to a live set.
The Last Of Uswill premiere next year on HBO.
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