'The Last of Us' goes from PlayStation to HBO
HBO is turning to the world of video games for the latest addition to its lineup of high-profile TV series.
"The Last of Us," a popular and critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 game from 2013, will be adapted by the game's writer and creative director, Neil Druckmann, and Emmy-winning screenwriter Craig Mazin ("Chernobyl") for the small screen, as reported Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter.
"Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium," Mazin told THR, "and 'The Last of Us' is his magnum opus. Getting a chance to adapt this breathtaking work of art has been a dream of mine for years, and I'm so honored to do it in partnership with Neil."
Set in a violent post-apocalyptic America, "The Last of Us" follows Joel, a grieving middle-aged father, as he protects Ellie, a teenage girl with a secret that could stop the mutated fungus that turned most of the world into zombies. The game featured prolific voice actors Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson in the lead roles, performing scenes on a motion-capture stage for their animated on-screen avatars.
THR says the HBO series will follow the game's plot and possibly touch on events in the soon-to-be-released sequel; "The Last of Us Part II" comes to PlayStation 4 on May 29.
"The Last of Us" has appeared on many "best games of the decade" lists and won dozens of industry accolades, including Game of the Year honors from BAFTA, the same organization that gives out the British Academy Awards.
No premiere date has been announced for the HBO series.