‘The Last of Us’ Series in Development at HBO From ‘Chernobyl’ Creator
By Joe Otterson
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – A series adaptation of the Playstation game “The Last of Us” is in development at HBO.
“Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin is attached to write and executive produce the potential series along with Neil Druckmann, the writer and creative director of the game. Carolyn Strauss will also executive produce along with Evan Wells, president of game development studio Naughty Dog. The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and in association with PlayStation Productions. The project is the first television series from PlayStation Productions.
“Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and ‘’ 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.”
“The Last of Us,” developed by Naughty Dog, takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The series will cover the events of the original game, which was written by Druckmann, with the possibility of additional content based on the upcoming game sequel, “The Last of Us Part II,” which is due out in May.
“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,” said Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming.
The show marks Mazin’s first TV project since “Chernobyl,” the critically-acclaimed limited series that detailed the aftermath of the Soviet nuclear disaster in 1986. The show won two Golden Globes and 10 Emmy Awards last year. It was previously announced that Mazin is currently developing a “Pirates of the Carribean” reboot with Disney.
“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,’” Druckmann said. “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. I’m beyond excited to collaborate with them.”
“The Last of Us” was originally released in 2013 to strong critical praise from industry critics and fans alike. It was reported last year that the game has sold in excess of 20 million copies in total in addition to having won numerous awards.
“This is a true thrill for us at Sony Pictures Television,” said Chris Parnell, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios. “‘The Last of Us’ is a brilliant achievement in storytelling and character development, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to work with this team to adapt it. This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions.”
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the development news.
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