The Last of Us is currently one of the most-watched TV shows and is making an early case to be the best show of 2023. The adaptation of Naughty Dog's fantastic 2013 PlayStation game has far exceeded our expectations for an adaptation, with even ardent fans claiming that its many tweaks improve upon what we received.
It may have all been so different. The original intention was to make The Last of Us a film, although breaking it down into two hours would have left many of the game's finest moments on the cutting room floor and likely have increased the action in the hopes of a big film success.
Jeffrey Pierce, a franchise icon, agrees to provide Tommy's voice and performance in the game, and has recently appeared in the show as Perry. In an interview with EW, he discussed the failed film and why it didn't work out:
We're very pleased with what we've got, especially as showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have paid tribute to the game's cast by incorporating them into this narrative. Pierce says he knew he wouldn't play Tommy in the show, but was desperate to play some role in it:
The original Joel and Ellie actors, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, will also reprise their roles as new characters in future episodes. We're hoping they continue this tradition with the excellent cast from The Last of Us.
The Last of Us is available on HBO Sundays.