‘The Last Of Us’: Jasmila Žbanić & Ali Abbasi To Direct HBO Series Based On Video Game

[Loudninja]

Posted by Nagito

Oscar nominee Jasmila Žbanić (Quo vadis, Aida) and Ali Abbasi (Border) have been added as directors on The Last of Us, HBO's high-profile series adaptation of the Sony Playstation franchise from Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann.

Based on the critically acclaimed video game The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the story takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (Pascal), a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie (Ramsey), a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.


Kantemir Balagov is directing the pilot episode of The Last Of Us, a co-production with Sony Pictures Television. PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog produce the TV series, based on the video game developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation platforms.

Druckmann and Mazin write and executive produce; Carolyn Strauss also executive produces along with Naughty Dog president Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan of PlayStation Productions as well as Rose Lam.

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‘The Last Of Us’: Jasmila Žbanić & Ali Abbasi To Direct HBO Series Based On Video Game

Jasmila Žbanić and Ali Abbasi have been added as directors on The Last of Us, HBO’s series adaptation of the Sony Playstation franchise.

deadline.com

 

[Video Kojima]

I used to say "this is basically a HBO game..." when I played the first one.

It's gonna be wild to see the ND logo on a HBO show.

 

[starfoxxxy]

I looooooved Chernobyl on HBO. One of the best miniseries I've watched outside Watchmen.

The sales of TLOU and TLOU2 are gonna skyrocket after this.

 

[JusDoIt]

This is gonna fuck around and actually be good isn't it?

 

[gdt]

It's clear this is a dead serious go at it by HBO and Sony. Dream come true really

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

This is gonna fuck around and actually be good isn't it?

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Sony might actually pull this off. Holy shit

 

[OSHAN]

Abbasi's Border is incredible. I have little interest in The Last of Us the game, but I'll watch your TV Show, HBO.

 

[rusty chrome]

Oh my god this is actually gonna be good.

 

[HMD]

Yes. yes. yes.

It's what TLOU deserves.

 

[Pandora012]

Im really excited to see how they pull this off. Would wonder if it gets big, if they do a prequel or something

 

[Star-Lord]

Not to well known directors this could be their time to shine just hoping for the best!

 

[wafflebrain]

I need to see their work, quick google shows both of their recent films were award winners and a hit at festivals. Sony and HBO are really going all out with this project. Gives me a lot of faith this will turn out great.

 

[ArchLector]

Great choices. How many episodes though? That is what I really know now.

 

[Aeroucn]

Ali Abbasi holy shit, they actually got some great directors

 

[HMD]

Im really excited to see how they pull this off. Would wonder if it gets big, if they do a prequel or something

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A Left Behind / American Dreams season.

 

[Jombie]

They have all the right people involved. Very exciting.

 

[ArchLector]

A Left Behind / American Dreams season.

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That story is guaranteed to be included in this season itself, it doesn't need a separate season.

 

[HMD]

That story is guaranteed to be included in this season itself, it doesn't need a separate season.

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Unless it's a flashback, I don't see them introducing Ellie before Sarah.

 

[cabelhigh]

Jasmila Žbani is a wild get. Quo vadis, Aida is a seriously incredible movie. Also seriously intense. Interesting to she what she will do

 

[bastardly]

man i hope this and halo can help usher in the age of prestige video game live action adaptions.

would love to finally see a MGS series or film with legit talent behind it

 

[Neoxon]

Damn, they got some great talent for this. I'm legitimately excited for the series.

 

[ArchLector]

Unless it's a flashback, I don't see them introducing Ellie before Sarah.

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There are several ways to add that story. For one, we can just see more of Ellie and Joel's life after the 20 year time jump, and before they meet. Or it could be a flashback during the winter chapter. I am pretty sure Neil even hinted at this in an interview. And he has said in the past that he considers Left Behind to be pivotal to Ellie's story, so I am convinced we will see a version of it.

 

[NunezL]

Border had some cool atmosphere

 

[Precious Tritium]

Man I'll be heartbroken if this is bad the talent behind it is off the charts.

 

[RoboPlato]

The talent they're putting behind this show is fucking incredible.

 

[Adookah]

Jasmila is from my country. She is amazing, the whole nation is proud of her!

 

[B.O.O.M.]

They seem to be going all in and making some great moves. Love it

 

[kaputt]

The talent they've recruited for this series seems really good.

Welp, if this doesn't turn out great then I guess we should give up on adapting video games to film/series

 

[Wallace Wells]

They're pulling out all the stops. This is gonna be excellent

 

[TheJollyCorner]

And some people are/acted shocked at the idea of a TLOU1 Remake.
Keikaku!!!

 

[Mido]

They should have the remake game based on the show. Pedro Pascal in 4K60.

 

[Temascos]

I haven't heard of them before but they sound like great choices. They're putting in some serious work into this, I reckon this adaptation is going to at least be good.

 

[kmetek]

Jasmila is from my country. She is amazing, the whole nation is proud of her!

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ex YU?

 

[Ridley327]

Whichever episode(s) Jasmila Žbanić winds up directing are likely to be some of the tensest TV out there. Quo Vadis, Aida? is a legitimately stress-inducing film, even as most of the action revolves around a middle-aged woman running around and speaking to military staff. Even with the overall lack of on-screen violence, the film still fills you with enormous dread for what's going to happen and an absolute outpouring of empathy for those that remained afterward.

 

[WetWaffle]

At this point, it would be a miracle if TLOU HBO ends up bad. So much talent on it.

 

[HardRojo]

And remember, Gustavo Santaolalla is also involved in the TV show project. It's gonna be wild seeing clickers in a high-productions TV show.

 

[AIP]

They got Jasmila directing? What a great choice, such a talented director from my little country. Haven't gotten the chance to watch Quo Vadis, Aida yet, but she did such a great job with Grbavica and Men Don't Cry.

 

[Kaswa101]

Dis gon be gud

 

[Vommy]

Every time there's more news the talent they hired gets more crazy. Can't wait!

 

[jakomocha]

Holy shit this is actually gonna be good, I'm so excited.

Unless it's a flashback, I don't see them introducing Ellie before Sarah.

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I think it'd fit nicely as an episode in between Fall and Winter, or before the final episode of the season

 

[Adookah]

ex YU?

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Yup, I was born in Yugoslavia, now I'm in Bosnia.

 

[MillionIII]

good stuff!

 

[En-ou]

All this talk about talent means nothing unless the script is good. Is this based on the game story or new stuff?

 

[Colfari]

And remember, Gustavo Santaolalla is also involved in the TV show project. It's gonna be wild seeing clickers in a high-productions TV show.

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Wait, seriously? He is also doing the score for this? That is awesome.

 

[gnarlyxcharlie]

All this talk about talent means nothing unless the script is good. Is this based on the game story or new stuff?

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Game story with new additions. After Chernobyl, Mazin has my trust. He also seems to be a huge fan

 

[ArchLector]

Wait, seriously? He is also doing the score for this? That is awesome.

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Yes, Gustavo is doing the score, that is one of the first things they confirmed after Craig as showrunner.

 

[DigSCCP]

I looooooved Chernobyl on HBO. One of the best miniseries I've watched outside Watchmen.

The sales of TLOU and TLOU2 are gonna skyrocket after this.

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TLOU Remake will be ready for this series launch/post launch and it will be huge.

 

[Mindfreak191]

Oh wow, this is huge for my country, Jasmila is one of the best directors we have!

 

[Colfari]

Yes, Gustavo is doing the score, that is one of the first things they confirmed after Craig as showrunner.

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Totally missed that, thanks.
I really think this will turn out great. They are going all out on this on actual talent as it seems.

 

[shaneo632]

Holy shit, I just watched Quo vadis, Aida the other day and it was *incredible*. This is an amazing get.