HBO has unveiled the first footage from its highly anticipated upcoming series The Last Of Us, which is set to premiere next year.
Starring Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones), The Last of Us is an adaptation of Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed action-adventure video game of the same name.
The surprise teaser footage was featured in a large sizzle reel released by HBO to promote the premiere of the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, as well as the network’s other upcoming series.
Only lasting 20 seconds (1:43 – 2:03), the teaser is as atmospheric, exciting, and emotionally charged as fans of the video game would expect. (Ellie) “Everybody I’ve cared for has either died or left me,” (Joel) “You have no idea what loss is.” The footage also reveals the involvement of Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) as paranoid, quirky survivalist Bill.
Released in 2013 on PlayStation The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic United States, ravaged by a mutant fungus outbreak. Centred on a smuggler named Joel (Pascal) who is tasked with transporting Ellie (Ramsey) to a revolutionary militia group known as the Fireflies. A sequel was released in 2020 (The Last of Us Part II) to universal acclaim and numerous game of the year awards.
Notably, 2023’s HBO adaptation of the game is not the first time The Last of Us has been attempted on screen ‒ a 2014 film reworking of the story ended up in development hell before finally dying in 2021 and a planned animated short film was cancelled by Sony in 2020.
A premiere date for HBO’s The Last of Us has not yet been given – instead, the first footage teaser simply states the show is “coming next year”.
Words by Luke Horwitz
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