HBO’s The Last of Us TV show is an adaptation of Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed action-adventure game. However, there is going to be a noticeable change coming to The Last of Us, as violence from the games will be scaled back for the show.
The Last of Us is no stranger to gruesome and violent action scenes involving infected monsters and more. However, game creator and showrunner Neil Druckmann said that the gore will have to be scaled back for TV audiences.
In an interview with gaming magazine SFX Magazine, Druckmann explained that the violence of the original title helped the audience connect to Joel when they were playing as him.
“We need a certain amount of action, or violence, that we could use for mechanics so you could connect with Joel and get into a flow state,” Druckmann said. “Then you would really feel like you’re connected with this on-screen avatar and you’re seeing the world through his eyes.”
However, to transition The Last of Us from a video game to a TV show, Druckmann said that co-creator Craig Mazin and HBO spoke with him early on about toning down the graphic violence. In fact, they suggested that the show remove “all the violence except for the very essential.”
Druckmann said he loved the idea and felt that it gave the violence present in the series more intensity and gravity.
“That allowed the violence to have even more impact than in the game, because when you hold on showing the threat and you’re seeing people’s reaction to a threat, that makes it scarier,” Druckmann continued. “And so when we do reveal the infected and the Clickers, you get to see what brought down humanity and why everyone is so scared.”
Fan Reactions Don’t Seem Happy
Many fans have expressed anger towards the decision. Many attributed the situation to what most video game adaptations have faced in the past.
Video game to media adaptations are often scrutinized for changing lots of the source material or being low quality on purpose.
Some fans agreed with the decision, with one Twitter user writing: “Makes sense, besides there’s no need for the violence to all extra like it was in the game. I’m still looking forward to see how it will be in live action.”
Another Twitter user wrote: “I love reading all the comments trying defend and rationalize this as ‘artistic’ or ‘better for the story’. Keep smoking that Hopium, friends. Adaptations are total trash these days, and video games have always had it the roughest.”
You can read the full Twitter thread below:
When Does The Last of Us Premiere?
The Last of Us will premiere on HBO on January 15. The series will star Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie (Game of Thrones). Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, who played the characters in the original games, will appear in new roles.
Additional cast members include Anna Torv, Gabriel Luna, Murray Bartlett, Storm Reid, and more.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
