In news that makes absolutely no sense at all, prolific Naughty Dog penman Neil Druckmann has revealed that the recently announced cinematic adaptation of The Last of Us is actually just a straight retelling of the story told in the main game. "It’s an adaptation of the story of The Last of Us," the staffer stated. "As far as where we go and how we make it fit into a film, how it takes into account the unique properties of film, we’re not sure yet. We’re only just scratching the surface."
On the one hand, this means that Druckmann definitely won't have to waste any potential sequel ideas on a frivolous filmic endeavour. But at the same time, we don't really see any point or value in cynically transferring a story to the silver screen when its interactive equivalent already does such a good job.
Some of the most powerful moments in the terrifyingly tense game were those that made effective use of the elements that are unique to video games as a medium, and we just can't see those scenes having as much impact when viewed through the lens of a camera. Then again, perhaps we're just being a bit grouchy. Are you similarly confused at this stymieing head-scratcher of a story, or do you think that a straight adaptation makes perfect sense? Sneak about in the comments section below.
[source vg247.com]
Comments 29
This is great news I'm so hyped
I agree with you, Kell. There's no reason why it couldn't be good, but it does seem a bit unnecessary. Much like the Uncharted movie, though, I doubt it'll ever happen.
I'll have to stay away as the cinema will obviously be full of Nintendo & MS kids. I heard Sam Raimi is doing the film, pretty happy with that, some of his recent films have been hit and miss though.
it's a good idea . why play the game when you can simply
sit at home, wait for a surreptitious knock on the door , then enjoy !
Actually i think this is way better than wasting material for a potential sequel or come up with a phony "yeah it plays in the same universe" kind of lackluster story. The Last of Us was great. Movie-great. It sold awesomely well but there are PLENTY of people and audience for a tale like this that are NOT gamers. So it makes sense and Im glad Druckman is handling it and that it will be about the events in the game.
Now the "who plays Ellie" game is full on.
Still, my cards are on Ellen Page, just for the heck of it.
"Then again, perhaps we're just being a bit grouchy."
You and Sammy both.
I know this game sold well but will that stop it from movie ticket sales? Followed by DVD sales and rentals? Followed by Amazon, Netflix and Hulu fees? Followed by whatever tv channel would want to show this?
Making a game into a movie that has a sure fire storyline makes a lot more sense to me than coming up w/ a new storyline.
I'm guessing a lot more guys played this than girls - sorry if that's sexist, it's just a guess - well now all those guys can take their girls on dates to see the movie of the great game they were telling them about, built in 2nd audience.
@rjejr Oh I'm sure that if it gets made it will do very well and will probably be quite a good movie - I just really don't see any point in the whole exercise. From a business standpoint it's a good move, but I am just a little disappointed that Naughty Dog has so blatantly decided to go with what is going to be profitable, rather than something that might be slightly more artistically challenging and valuable. It's especially disappointing when you consider that this is the studio that was willing to take a risk on a game like The Last of Us to begin with.
All that said, I'm sure they'll be laughing all the way to the bank, so more power to them. And if it does ever happen, I'll probably be a giant hypocrite and go to see it anyway
@DaftPlayStation
Then suddenly Micheal Bay wants in on this movie and there will be EXPLOSIONS!
I haven't had a chance to pick this game up. So now, no need I guess?
You expected somtheing else? I was only scratching my head when you guys thought it might not be the game's story.
@k_andersen - So it all boils down to "sell-out" for you? I can understand that. I remember feeling that way the first time I heard a Who song during a car commercial. That was way back before every car commercial was a popular song.
BTW - the movie will probably suck, but that hasn't stopped them from making all those RE movies. Hopefully better than Doom though. God please let it be better than Doom.
#1 reason for the movie to be the same as the game - movie sequels and game sequels and movies of the game sequels and games of the movie sequels.
If you need a reason to be grouchy - you'll need to buy a Wii U to play Bayonetta 2. Everybody can view a LoU movie.
This article comes off as incredibly pretentious, similar to the last one on this topic. Sounds like you dont want people to be able to experience TLoU without playing a PlayStation. Whats actually the problem with them making a movie? Many terrible movies have been made based off games, but there were no adverse effects because if them. Have a laugh if its bad. Groan.
@rjejr I totally already have a Wii U, so unfortunately I can't be grouchy about Bayonetta 2. I guess that's the problem. I can't be grouchy about Bayonetta, so instead I have to be grouchy about potential Naughty Dog tie-ins.
@Tsuzura Lol Noooooooo!!!! Btw i actually like Micheal Bay not all his movies are bad Transformers 2 and 3 wore disappointing but TF 4 actually looks pretty good in my opinion still even tho i like Micheal Bay he clearly wouldn't be the right director for Last of us and if they ever did pick him to direct it I'd be mad as hell about it
Remember the announcement of a Shadow of the Colossus film? And that Uncharted film starring Mark Wahlberg? Fact is nine out of ten of these announcements never make it to the screen... But then again. who'd have thought a Heavenly Sword film would actually have been made? Sony seem quite aggressive in pushing their IPs onto the screen as of late. Even so, I'd be surprised if we ever saw a trailer.
Well, when a story is that well told, why ruin it by letting a Hollyweird screenwriter mutilate it? It's infinitely better than any so-called 'horror' that the movie industry has put out in the last 10-15 years or so. Just make sure it's a proper 18-rated movie, and don't let them dumb it down for the teen audience.
I agree that "most" video game movies that get talked about never get made but the news seems to keep coming and coming for this.
That makes me believe this one has a chance. I'm still not sure it's a good thing but I'm hoping for the best...
@DaftPlayStation
I didn't see transformers 3 and I don't remember if I saw 2 but I thought the first one was alright (I never really watched the tv show so I don't know if it follows the original story)
Just imagine! Joel sees a zombie, shoots and the zombie explodes! Accidentally drops his hunting knife, it explodes! Ellie was shot and is dying in Joel hands and says "I'm so cold daddy" then explode in his hands!
If Hollywood turns the infected in to "Zombies" because "Zombies" are in right now, I will break things.
@rjejr @k_andersen @get2sammyb I think the movie will be good i doubt it will suck i really think we're on the verge of seeing a trend of good video game movies just remember for a while superhero movies used too suck but then Batman begins and Iron Man come out and everything changed
@Tsuzura Lol
Oh well... Why not? Non gamers can have the chance to watch a good story for once.
@DaftPlayStation : this is exactly what i was saying about that batman (baYman?) trailer on pushSquare last week . awful , and over the top .
lol Need For Speed with no plot/characters in entire franchise gets a movie and nobody bats an eye. A film adaptation is exactly why we need actors in games to be held to the same quality/ability standards as film; we don't want an actor in the movie trying to sound like the game's voice actor who was trying to sound Texan, when nobody involved has that accent. Yeah I know "that's what acting is" but it's bad acting if I can't believe it to be real/true/organic. We have the tech to make cinematic games actually be fully acted, ya know, by regular film/tv actors, complete with facial capture and all that. Not just the ball-suits on green screens, I mean shooting the damn thing from the TV's perspective and putting their fully costumed bodies into the computer to make hair/cloth movement look "video-realistic". It's backwards to sit there and program the hell out of the game, only to go and make a scene-for-scene movie of it
Didn't they say that from the beginning? I prefer it like this because all the people who don't play video games can see the awesome story now. I've wanted to show friends and family since my first play through but no ones going to want to watch me play through hours and hours of gaming, except my little sister.
I'm excited about the movie but it will have to be pretty special to top how the game made me feel.
My prediction people who never played the game will love it, but for people who played the game it will fall short of expectations.
I agree with Kell.
I said it before, and I'll say it again: this is a terrible, terrible idea.
It conveys the message that the game wasn't 'good enough'; that it can't stand on its own without a movie to 'legitimise' it.
People say that the games industry suffers from an inferiority complex... Gee, I wonder why?
I barely watch any movies anymore. It's all just the same crap over and over again. Peter Molyneux once compared the productivity of watching a movie to staring at a blank wall - and I'm inclined to agree with him. Games have to potential to be so much more, yet developers and publishers keep looking at Hollywood as some sort of 'holy grail' that should be emulated. What a load of toss.
@Kage_88 Could not disagree with you more
Like many other people here I really like TLoU and have actually played through the game a number of times. Regarding the movie, I have a strange feeling that I know how it will end.
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