A new image from the set of HBO’s upcoming adaptation of The Last of Us provides the best look yet at Joel and Ellie. Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us is considered one of the best video games of the past decade, thanks largely to its compelling narrative and characters. The original game tells the story of a hardened smuggler and a teenage girl who “keep finding something to fight for” in an attempt to cure a global infection. The Last of Us' popularity not only prompted a sequel, but talk of a live-action adaptation. Ultimately, HBO announced plans for a TV series helmed by Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann and Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin in 2020.
The Last of Us season 1 will consist of 10 episodes and adapts the events of the original game, following Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) as he escorts Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across the post-apocalyptic U.S. for a militia group known as the Fireflies. In addition to the two Game of Thrones alums, the series stars Nico Parker as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, and Merle Dandridge, who reprises her role as the game’s Firefly leader Marlene. Produced by Naughty Dog, PlayStation Productions, and HBO, The Last of Us is one of the most expensive productions in Canada. With filming expected to conclude this month, a first official full look at its central pair is yet to be released, with most teases coming from behind-the-scenes set images.
A fan page for the series, @HBOsTheLastofUs, recently shared a new image from the series’ set on Twitter. The photo provides the best glimpse so far at both Pascal's Joel and Ramsey's Ellie, the images of whom have mostly been captured from afar. For those familiar with The Last of Us game, the scene may provoke a certain kind of nostalgia. Check it out below:
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While the first official still of Joel and Ellie has been released (which shows only their backs, looking outwards), this image gives the best head-on view of The Last of Us’ leads. The crew member who is seen texting at the forefront of the image makes it unclear whether this scene was captured during filming, or whether Pascal and Ramsey are simply taking a rest between shots. However, perhaps the biggest takeaway from this set photo is that HBO’s The Last of Us show truly looks to be capturing the spirit and aesthetic of the games. Irrespective of new characters, locations, and changes made to the story, the father/daughter dynamic at its core is essential to the show’s success, and this is a close-up sneak peek at Joel and Ellie's relationship.
Voice actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson were praised for bringing Joel and Ellie to life nine years ago, and Pascal and Ramsey will have their hands full trying to recapture that magic. One of the reasons The Last of Us Part II was so divisive was because players felt strongly connected to those characters, and had strong opinions about how their stories were handled. While video game adaptations are notoriously difficult to get right given the loyal fanbase behind their source material, Pascal and Ramsey possess the acting chops to pull of this beloved pairing, and images such as this bode well for how HBO's The Last of Us will portray their connection.
Source: HBO's The Last of Us/Twitter