Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal discuss Neil Druckmann's directing style, including his collaborative approach and deep knowledge of the material as the original creator of The Last of Us video game and co-creator of the HBO series. The Last Of Us is set in a world ravaged by an outbreak of a mutated Cordyceps fungus that has wiped out the majority of the population. The infected are either killed or turned into zombie-like carriers of the fungus who infect others. The series follows Joel, a hardened smuggler who has been tasked with protecting and transporting fourteen-year-old Ellie across the zombie-infested United States.
Screen Rant and many other media outlets attended a press event for The Last of Us where Ramsey and Pascal talked about working with Druckmann as a director. Ramsey explained how they felt they were in good hands with the original creator at the helm, while Pascal praised Druckmann's collaborative spirit and how shooting certain sequences felt like they were in the actual game.
Bella Ramsey: As soon as I found out that Neil was going to be directing an episode, I felt like we would be in good hands because he's created the show and every time that he said that we did a good job, you can't help but believe him because it was his child, I guess, his baby. And he knows the story more deeply intricately than anybody else. So it was really cool to have him there and have his presence on set.
The horror moments in terms of the clickers, it was so immersive that we didn't have to try very hard. These were real actors with real prosthetics and had movement coaching and incredible design and it was very immersive and very terrifying and the reactions that you saw from us were mostly real. So that was pretty easy in terms of being scared.
Pedro Pascal: You know what was weird? I'm going to say this, and I don't know if I'm answering your question, but having Neil direct an episode, surprisingly he was the most open and excited about interpretation that wasn't his own. He was the one that was way more into the questions and the not knowing in terms of what our takes were.
And I found that really, really surprising and exciting. And then when it came to very specific horror sequences, you're referencing the museum, it felt like being in the game. It was really insane and visually, nothing left to the imagination.
How Else The Last of Us Benefits From Neil Druckmann's Touch
Druckmann's directing style seems ideal for an adaptation, especially as a first-time television director. He has an understanding and vision that can bring the original game to life like no one else. But he also has an excitement and openness to the input of others, which helps create a stronger adaptation as he learns from the experience of others. The immersive experience that Pascal and Ramsey touch upon, especially the horror sequences, makes it feel like the game has come to life. The Last Of Us series is a chance for Druckmann to more fully flesh out characters and story in a way he wasn't able to with the game.
The Last of Us game needed to stick with Joel and Ellie's points of view because of the game mechanics, whereas the series is not held to these restrictions. This is also an opportunity for Druckmann to retell the story, adding scenes he initially cut from the game and a deeper understanding of the larger narrative. Mazin being added to the mix also brings out a new voice and storytelling style that further elevates the experience with a fresh perspective.
Druckmann is instrumental in crafting the setting to feel as immersive as Ramsey and Pascal describe. Having the original creator work on the scripts and on the sets brings his expertise to every element of the adaptation. The Last of Us can elevate the narrative of the original game while still honoring the story, characters, and aesthetic of the game that so many love.