In a new interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin has opened up about HBO‘s live-action series adaptation of The Last of Us, revealing the meticulous process of developing a series based on a beloved franchise like the popular horror game.
Mazin, who will be serving as a writer and producer on the upcoming series, has assured fans that they have nothing to worry about because the long-awaited project is definitely in good hands as he and game creator Neil Druckmann are only planning to expand or enhance the original game’s story, rather than make changes that will undo it.
“I think fans of something worry that, when the property gets licenced to someone else, those people don’t really understand it, or are going to change it,” Mazin explained (via IGN). “In this case, I’m doing it with the guy who did it, and so the changes that we’re making are designed to fill things out and expand, not to undo, but rather to enhance.”
He also added his excitement for project, “We’re creating anew and we’re also reimagining what is already there to present a different format. It’s kind of a dream come true for me. I’m a little bit scared because a lot of emotions connected to this game are rather intense. I think I’m probably going to go hide in a bunker for a while because you can’t make everyone happy!”
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The Last of Us is an action-adventure survival horror video game that is played from a third-person perspective. It was developed by the Santa Monica-based video game developer Naughty Dog, who is also best known for creating the Uncharted games. It was first launched in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and in 2014 for PlayStation 4 where it immediately garnered critical acclaim for its narrative, gameplay, visuals, sound design, and characters.
The game follows hardened survivor Joel and Ellie, a young and capable girl, on their journey through a radically transformed world. Set twenty years after an infectious pandemic spread by the cordyceps virus ravaged the course of humanity, these two people, who were brought together by chance, must make life-altering decisions in order to survive.The Last of Us explores themes of survival, loyalty, love, and redemption in an emotionally charged expedition across the post-epidemic United States.
Due to its immense popularity, The Last of Us has sold over 17 million copies and had successfully won numerous awards including multiple Game of the Year awards. Nearly 7 years since its launch, the video game is currently being recognized as one of the greatest video games ever made.
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The Last of Us series adaptation will be tackling the events of the first game with the possibility of additional content based on the upcoming video game sequel. It will be co-written by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who is the game’s writer and creative director. Mazin will executive produce along with Carolyn Strauss and Naughty Dog president Evan Wells. The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television in association with PlayStation Productions.
