Premiere of the first episode of the serialized version of The Last of Us is fast approaching. Less than three weeks remain until the premiere, which is when one of the most anticipated game adaptations will make its debut on HBO Max.
The latest trailer has already raised gamers’ expectations, showing many scenes familiar from the game. The latest leaks say that fans can expect a lot of excitement already in the first episode, which is scheduled to run as long as 85 minutes, i.e. 1 hour and 25 minutes.
The very first episode to be as long as a movie
It is rare for episodes of a regular series to last this long. This, though, does explain why the first season of The Last of Us is nine episodes long, instead of the standard ten.
Evidently, the makers didn’t want to limit themselves in any way, and material earmarked for one more episode was split into the remaining episodes, which can be longer than with other HBO series.
In the latest interview with Neil Druckmann, the game and series creator admitted that the TV production would be less violent than the games.
The series’ two installments had no shortage of very bloody, intensely violent moments that shocked players in various ways. The series will not be free of this either, although the violence itself will be toned down somewhat. To a specific end.
We need a certain amount of action or violence [in the games], which we use in the mechanics to better connect with Joel and get into the rhythm of the game accordingly. Then you really feel what it’s like to be connected to the character on the screen and see the world through his eyes.
But that doesn’t exist in a passive medium like series. One of the things I really liked hearing from [co-creator Craig Mazin] and HBO was: “Let’s eliminate all violence except the very important ones.” That way the violence had even more impact than it does in the game, because it makes the threat even more frightening when you see the reaction of the characters. When we present the infected and the clickers, you will see what humanity has brought upon itself and why everyone is so afraid.
Among the cast are: Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Nico Parker (Sarah Miller), Merle Dandridge (Marlena), Anna Torv (Tess), Jeffrey Pierce (Perry), Murray Bartlett (Frank), Nick Offerman (Bill), Storm Reid (Riley), Con O’Neil (Bill), Lamar Johnson (Henry), Keivonn Woodard (Sam), Graham Greene (Marlon), Elaine Miles (Florence) and Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker.
The Last of Us will make its debut on HBO Max on January 16, 2023. Its first season will consist of 9 episodes.
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