Casting for The Last of Us season 2 has been placed on hold as the Writers Guild of America's strike for fair pay continues. The HBO series is an adaptation of the hit Naughty Dog video game, with season 1 adapting the events of the original 2013 title. The Last of Us television series stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as survivors traveling across a North America ravaged by a deadly fungal virus; it released in early 2023 to praise from both critics and audiences.
While The Last of Us season 2 was expected to begin filming within a number of months, Variety reports that pre-production on the series has been placed on pause amid the WGA strike. Prior to that, sources say the casting team was utilizing dialogue taken from The Last of Us Part II for auditions, as scripts for the show are currently unwritten. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are also reported to not be working on The Last of Us season 2, with Mazin joining the picket line. As a result, The Last of Us may not begin filming until early 2024.
How Mazin & Druckmann Successfully Brought The Last of Us To Television Screens
While The Last of Us is based on a pre-existing story, Mazin and Druckmann created an adaptation that is faithful and satisfying for existing fans while remaining a thrilling story for newcomers. Alongside retelling Joel and Ellie's story in a new format, Druckmann and Mazin wove in elements referencing future story points and unused plot points from the video games. This can be seen with the inclusion of Ellie's mother, whose story was developed from a scrapped DLC storyline.
Mazin and Druckmann were also able to craft touching surprises that earned The Last of Us unanimous praise. Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett) are two survivors separated through bitterness and tragedy in the game, but the television series instead chooses to dedicate an episode to exploring a new story depicting the pair's blossoming romance amid the ruins of the world. As such, Bill and Frank's love story is one of The Last of Us' most celebrated additions; Mazin and Druckmann created a beautiful love story that allows the show to stand on its own.
The Last of Us has been one of 2023's biggest titles, earning praise from gamers and general audiences alike. However, with casting paused as the Writers Guild continues their strike, and both showrunners stepping away per Guild guidelines, it is clear filming on the show will face a noticeable delay. While this may cause disappointment, though, there is no question that The Last of Us' extended hiatus is for a good cause.
Source: Variety