Fans from both the video game and the TV show were glad to hear that "The Last of Us" was getting a second season. However, there might be a long wait ahead before the succeeding season hits the screens, according to an HBO executive.
'The Last of Us' Production Timeline
Many shows were affected by the strike led by WGA and SAG-AFTRA, among them being the adaptation of the famous post-apocalyptic game. On the bright side, we finally have an expected date for its release, but it could be more than a year before it happens.
HBO and Max Content Chief Casey Bloys revealed that production will begin in early 2024, which means that the earliest launch is expected to be in 2025. There have already been preparations that have given the show a head start.
Naughty Dog President Neil Druckmann said that they have already outlined all of season 2 and they will be ready to go as soon as the strike ends, as mentioned in The Verge. The WGA strike is finally over, but SAG-AFTRA is still negotiating for the best deal.
In addition to a show outline, showrunner Craig Mazin says that he already submitted a script for the first episode before the strike even began. Fans don't know what to expect for the second season yet, specifically if the showrunners will decide to stick to the game's narrative.
(In case you haven't seen the first season, there will be spoilers ahead.)
If you've finished the series, then you know that Joel ended up saving Ellie from being killed for the sake of finding a cure for the Cordyceps infection, which resulted in the deaths of many people and a potential cure for the infection, gone.
They eventually head back to Jackson and live a relatively normal life. This will then be the beginning of the game sequel, also the second season of the show. If the show will be faithful to the game, then fans will be seeing new characters ahead, along with heartbreaking deaths.
First, Ellie's love interest, Dina, will be introduced (which fans believe was the girl Ellie snapped at when she and Joel were having their meal in season 1). The one scene that people are not too excited to see is Joel's death.
If you've played the game, then you already know the pain of what's ahead. The beloved character Joel played by Pedro Pascal will suffer a brutal ending as Ellie watches, which brings us to another character, Abby Anderson.
One can only hope that the show doesn't immediately take Joel and Ellie's duo away. If so, then all we can do is be prepared for the gruesome scene ahead and sympathize with Ellie for losing a father figure.
Read Also: HBO's 'House of the Dragon' Debuts to Success, Reels Back Fans for 'Game of Thrones' Prequel
In the Mean Time
As we wait for the succeeding season of "The Last of Us," there are several shows we can binge in between, particularly another HBO favorite, "House of the Dragon." After all, we will be seeing season 2 this 2024.
HBO Chief Casey Bloys announced that the show will be released in "early summer," as reported by Variety. The show was unaffected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, which allowed us to see an earlier release than we had hoped for.
Related: Neil Druckmann's Statement Implies Possibility of 'The Last of Us Part 3'
