See an exclusive peek at the next seven episodes, including a first look at Abby’s crew.
But in addition to those brainstorms, Druckmann remembers a particularly fraught time in 2020.
Toxic reactions, and even death threats against the creators and actors, followed.
Young Mazino as Jesse, Bella Ramsey as Ellie in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.HBO
It happened in the beginning of COVID.
So there were a lot of very negative things all happening at once.
you’re free to’t help but think about it now.
Rutina Wesley as Maria, Gabriel Luna as Tommy in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.HBO
It’s one of those stories that will forever be stuck with me.
But our brand is that we pander to no one.
We do what’s best for the story and whatever happens, happens.
Danny Ramirez as Manny, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Ariela Barer as Mel, Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Spencer Lord as Owen in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.HBO
There’s a very particular story we wanted to tell and we stuck to our guns.
We keep asking, What’s the best choice for this story, for these characters?
And that’s the choice we make.
Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Isabela Merced as Dina in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.HBO
Nearly everything could be considered a spoiler.
And a lot of it has to do with a new character named Abby.
Ellie is, for once, enjoying a normal life as a teenager.
Bella Ramsey.HBO / Liane Hentscher
We just remained in touch, Druckmann says.
I believe Craig had the idea of using Kaitlyn for Abby when we talked about season 2.
The reason we cast Kaitlyn is because shes an incredible actor.
Gabriel Luna as Tommy in ‘The Last of Us’ season 2.HBO
Abby isnt alone, either.
From a story standpoint, there are different priorities for the show, Druckmann notes.
“There’s not as much violent action moment to moment,” he says.
“It’s more about the drama.
I’m not saying there’snoaction here.
It’s just, again, different priorities and how you approach it.”
More importantly, “Kaitlyn has the spirit of the game in her,” he continues.
It was important that we found somebody that we could connect to the way we connect to Bella."
And then the question is, Where does her formidable nature come from and how does it manifest?
That’s something that will be explored now and later.
Season 2 is indeed just the beginning.
Mazin and Druckmann previously revealed their plans to adapt the events ofPart IIacross multiple seasons.
While HBO has not officially greenlit a third outing just yet, conversations have been had.
I think it’s pretty likely that our story will extend past a season 3, Mazin says.
I can’t say.
We have a plan, Druckmann adds.
Each episode is like a meal.
We have seven episodes.
They are high-calorie, dense episodes.
You will not be bored.
“There’s a very, very cool casting that I hope we can talk about soon.”
So many questions remain.
Will the same method be employed on the show?
It’s weird to talk about a story where its structure could be a spoiler, Druckmann acknowledges.
I will just say that we gave it a lot of thought and tried different things.
There are some deviations of where we place things."
It seems like they know what theyre doing.
