According to the programming chief of HBO and HBO Max, the long-awaited live-action adaptation of The Last of Us won't ride onto screens until after 2022.
When asked directly when to expect The Last of Us, Casey Bloys didn't give an air date but was quick to rule out 2022. "The Last of Us is shooting right now in Canada," he told THR. "We haven't announced an air date yet. But it's not 2022. They're still shooting in Calgary."
The series, which officially began development in March 2020, is an adaptation of developer Naughty Dog's 2013 action-adventure game of the same name. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic United States that has been ravaged by a mutant Cordyceps fungus. The fungus infected a large portion of the population, turning them into aggressive, zombie-like creatures that attack the uninfected. The game focuses on survivor Joel Miller, a survivor of the outbreak, as he tries to safely escort the teenage Ellie across the country to a laboratory where her immunity to the fungus could potentially be used to save mankind.
The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal will play Joel in the adaptation, with Game of Thrones' Bella Ramsey taking on the role of Ellie. The first photo of the pair in costume was posted by Pascal on Sept. 26, 2021. The date is notable since, in The Last of Us universe, Sept. 26 was deemed "Outbreak Day" -- the date the Cordyceps infection reached critical mass and could no longer be stopped. Along with the photo, which only showed the backs of Pascal and Ramsey, Pascal added the comment, "'I got you, baby girl.'"
Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman also has a role in the show, playing Bill, another notable survivor from the game. Originally, the guest role had been filled by Con O'Neill, but a scheduling conflict led to Offerman nabbing being cast instead. Actor Murray Bartlett, who plays Bill's partner Frank, recalled his experience of filming with Offerman, saying, "Playing off him was awesome."
Although filming on The Last of Us continues, the pilot episode has been completed, and series co-creator Craig Mazin confirmed the first season will run for 10 episodes. The show will also star Diego Luna as Joel's brother Tommy Miller, voice actor Jeffrey Pierce as the rebel Perry, and Nico Parker as Joel's daughter, Sarah.
Source: THR