Summary
- HBO’s The Last of Us season 2 is fully planned out, and a script has already been submitted before the strike began. The show’s success has earned it a renewal and the team is “raring to go” when the strike ends.
- The Last of Us season 1 was critically acclaimed as one of the best video game adaptations. Season 2 will be adapted from the video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
- The creative team, including original game creator Neil Druckmann, is prepared to proceed with season 2 once the strikes are over. They are disappointed that filming will be delayed, but are passionate about their work and not motivated by money.
HBO’s The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin confirms that season 2 is fully planned out, and one script was already submitted before the Writer’s Guild of America strike. Adapted from the popular video game, The Last of Us television show was met with critical acclaim, with season 1 already considered one of the all-time best video game adaptations. The show’s success earned a season 2 renewal, which will be adapted from the video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II.
Mazin shared with Entertainment Weekly that he and his creative team, including original game creator Neil Druckmann, are prepared to proceed with The Last of Us season 2 when the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes end. They fully planned the next installment of the show and submitted at least one full script before the strike began, with the team “raring to go” when they get the all clear. Read Mazin’s comments below:
We were able to map out all of season 2. And I also wrote and submitted the script for the first episode and sent it in [to HBO] around 10:30 or 10:40 p.m. right before the midnight [makes a “kajoomph” sound] and the strike began. … I think it’s becoming essentially a near certainty that we won’t be able to start [filming] when we were hoping to start, which is upsetting. We are all raring to go. This is what we are born to do. This is how we not only choose to live our lives, but I believe [how we] are compelled to live our lives. Otherwise, why the hell would we do this insane job? I can assure you it’s not for money.
How The Last Of Us Season 2 Will Be Different From Season 1
The Last Of Us season 2 continues the story that began in season 1, but Mazin has already teased that it will be different in several ways. The first major change is that there is a five-year time jump, just as there is The Last of Us Part II. Mazin confirmed that season 2 won’t recast Ellie for the time jump, with Bella Ramsey continuing to play the role. Pedro Pascal will return to play Joel as well, but both characters will be impacted by the five years that have passed since the culminating events in season 1.
In addition to the time jump, season 2 will feature more of the Infected. While season 1 was met with critical acclaim, one common criticism was the show’s lack of Infected, with some episodes not including any Infected at all. This was largely due to first prioritizing Joel, Ellie, and the show’s human characters, along with navigating the challenge of making the Infected work well in a televised format. As the infected receive more screentime in season 2, The Last of Us will explore the hive mind in depth.
There were a few glimpses of the hive mind in season 1, but season 2 will showcase more of the terrifying interconnectivity between the Infected. While Joel and Ellie are returning to face the hive mind and other threats, along with Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna), season 2 will feature many new characters. This includes Abby, a controversial character from The Last of Us Part II. These new elements make The Last of Us season 2 one of the most exciting projects that will continue developing once writers and actors receive fair pay and better working conditions.
Source: EW