In the age of Peak TV, television networks are constantly looking for "the next big hit" -- a cultural phenomenon that not only generates blockbuster ratings but also major buzz. This is what pundits mean when they ask whether Netflix has found its "Next Stranger Things" or if AMC has found its "Next Walking Dead," a show that resonates with both critics and fans that grows in popularity with each new season. Most importantly, industry watchers have been on the lookout for the "Next Game of Thrones." HBO's epic fantasy series based on George R. R. Martin's novels was ridiculously popular during its run, garnering a huge fan base and major awards while also creating a major franchise with tons of tie-in merchandise. Since it ended last year, the premium cable network hasn't found another show that generates nearly the same level of rapture and revenue... yet.
And in reality, it may take a long time to do so. Shows like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and The Walking Dead are phenomena that can't be easily replicated. That said, HBO's latest project seems like it has a good chance of becoming the network's next blockbuster success. It's been confirmed that HBO is developing a television series based on The Last of Us, the survival horror game developed by Naughty Dog and released in 2013.
The game follows smuggler Joel as he is tasked with protecting a young girl named Ellie in a post-apocalyptic world where a mutated fungus has infected humans, turning them into zombie-like monsters. The two spend a whole year traveling the country looking for safety while avoiding both infected humans and dangerous bandits, and grow closer in the process.
The Last of Us was released to critical acclaim. It garnered praise for its storytelling, thematic elements, graphics, level design and portrayal of female characters. It won several Game of the Year awards and is widely considered one of the greatest video games of all time. A franchise soon followed, with an equally successful downloadable content tie-in and a comic-book miniseries shortly afterwards. A sequel, The Last of Us: Part II, is set to be released in May.
The HBO series will be written and executive produced by Evan Wells, the president of Naughty Dog, and Neil Drunkman, Naughty Dog's VP and the original game's creative director. But the biggest name attached to the project right now is Craig Mazin, the creator and executive producer of the HBO miniseries Chernobyl, which dramatized the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and its aftermath.
The combination of Wells, Drunkman and Mazin is already a very good sign. Chernobyl was one of HBO's biggest successes last year, winning several awards including Emmys for Best Writing, Directing and Limited Series. The storytelling for The Last of Us is the game's driving force and main source of acclaim. Fans of the game can rest easy knowing that the series is in the hands of capable storytellers, while those not familiar with it may be pulled in with the show's connection to the prestigious Chernobyl.
But even without a connection to a previously well-regarded HBO series, the premise of The Last of Us is an easy sell. Post-apocalyptic shows and movies are very popular, particularly ones involving zombies. It's the reason why The Walking Dead has remained popular after a decade on the air. That show successfully blends intense zombie-fighting action with character-driven stories that viewers can connect with. The similarities between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us are instantly noticeable, including the eerie aesthetic, intense action and rotating cast of supporting characters. A television adaptation of The Last of Us could attract a sizable chunk of The Walking Dead's audience, and depending on how long the series goes (the series is set to only cover the first game but may include elements from Part II), could avoid some of the storytelling issues that have plagued TWD's later seasons.
Not to mention, the series could be part of a growing trend: the upward swing of video game adaptations. For years, video game adaptations were a running joke in Hollywood after several misfires and flops. It seemed like video game adaptations were cursed, but things began to look up in 2019 with the releases of Detective Pikachu and The Angry Birds Movie 2, which both garnered positive reviews and strong box office returns. The release of Sonic The Hedgehog last month, following a successful campaign to redesign the character, seemed like a turning point for video game adaptations. With the original game's team behind the series, HBO's The Last of Us could -- and should -- ride this wave of positive momentum all the way to the bank.