LogInThe actress who is starring as Ellie in the upcoming HBO's The Last of Us show shared that the adaptation is "very respectful of the game and honors the game."
Creating TV or film adaptations of fan-favorite video games has become a growing trend. Not long ago, we've seen Sony’s Uncharted and Paramount Plus's Halo, the Ghost of Tsushima movie created by John Wick director Chad Stahelski is in the works, and some more film or TV adaptations are on the way including Jak and Jaxter and Twisted Metal.
Probably, one of the most anticipated adaptations that soon will make its way to screens is the upcoming The Last of Us series. The show, made by Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin and the game's creator Neil Druckmann, will debut on HBO at the beginning of 2023. The series will bring its own version of favorite characters Joel and Ellie played by Game of Thrones stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
While film or TV adaptations are mostly aimed at gamers who are supposed to be eager to see their favorite characters on a movie or TV screen, game adaptations have often been criticized by gamers. So will we be satisfied by what we'll see in the upcoming The Last of Us show?
According to Bella Ramsey who will star in the show as Ellie, fans will "love" the upcoming TV series. In a recent interview with SheKnows, the actress shared that she understands how difficult it is to bring a beloved story to a new medium, although she is sure that the adaptation "very much follows the emotional beats of the game."
"I think people are going to love [the adaptation]. I know there were people worried about it, of course. When something is so precious to you as a viewer – as a gamer – of course you’re going to be worried about the adaptation," she said. "But honestly, I think people are going to love it. It very much follows the emotional beats of the game, and it’s very respectful of the game and honors the game."
Not long ago, game writer and show co-writer Neil Druckmann shared that he believes adaptations shouldn't just copy a game they are based on in order to be great. He noted that the best images of well-known characters can be created only when actors reinterpret a character in their own ways without trying to imitate the original. So, it seems that the TV series version of Joel and Ellie will be very different from the one that we see in the game.
Ramsey also confirmed that the live-action series adaptation will not just copy the game but will "bring a new life into it."
"[The adaptation] explores different avenues that weren’t explored so much in the game," she said. "I do think people are going to love it. I hope they do. It was so much fun to make, such an experience. I hope that [audiences] feel that experience too when they come on the adventure with us."