'The Last of Us' Is Becoming an HBO Series

It will be helmed by 'Chernobyl' creator Craid Mazin and game writer Neil Druckmann

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Mar 5, 2020

California-based developer Naughty Dog is already adapting its Uncharted game series into a feature film, and it's now been revealed that the developer's popular PlayStation title The Last of Us will become a television series.

According the Hollywood Reporter, The Last of Us will be adapted by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin for HBO. The game's writer and creative director, Neil Druckmann, will work alongside Mazin as a writer and executive producer.

"Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and The Last of Us is his magnum opus," Mazin said in statement. "Getting a chance to adapt this breathtaking work of art has been a dream of mine for years, and I'm so honoured to do it in partnership with Neil."

Druckmann added: "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. 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."

First released for PlayStation 3 in 2013, The Last of Us follows protagonist Joel, a smuggler tasked with escorting a teenage girl, Ellie, across a post-apocalyptic United States. A remastered version of the game was released for PlayStation 4 in 2014.

THR adds that the HBO series will adapt the events of the original game, with the possibility of additional content based on forthcoming sequel The Last of Us Part II, which is set for release on May 29.

Carolyn Strauss will executive produce the series alongside Naughty Dog president Evan Wells. The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television in association with PlayStation Productions, marking the first television series from the latter.

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