Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last of Us Part II, which could be relevant to future stories in the show.
Summary
- The casting backlash faced by The Last of Us is likely to continue in future seasons, with new characters sparking negative from hardcore game fans.
- The introduction of Abby, a controversial character from the game, in Season 2 is expected to intensify the casting backlash issue faced by the show.
- The success of Season 1 justifies the creative changes made by The Last of Us, as the show proved to be a hit and received high ratings for its performance and storytelling.
Not only could The Last of Us face more casting backlash with new characters in season 2, it may be an ongoing issue for future seasons yet to come. Any video game adaptation is sure to cause an uproar of some level, as there's bound to be at least some inaccuracies pertaining to the story or the characters. The Last of Us is no exception when it comes to fan criticism, and judging by the harsh critiques Bella Ramsey's Ellie received in season 1, it's no doubt the next season will gain the same amount of negative from hardcore fans of the game.
Even though The Last of Us did receive backlash when the cast was announced, the show soon became a hit for HBO, and the actors proved they could transform into the video game characters with ease. Season 2 opens a whole other world for new characters, villains, and infected to enter, meaning audiences are going to see unfamiliar faces. A particular character who was very much hated in the games will be coming to the small screen, and it's possible The Last of Us directors will face a casting problem once again when some audiences share critical thoughts.
The Last Of Us Season 2's Abby Will Make S1's Casting Backlash Problem Even Worse
The Last of Us season 2 will introduce another character that plays a huge role in the story. Abby, a young woman who seeks revenge for the death of her father, became a prominent figure in The Last of Us sequel, meaning her presence could also spark backlash when the show hits the small screen again. Since she ultimately kills one of the beloved characters audiences have grown to love, her casting for the TV show is sure to bring back that rage.
Actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey played the main duo, Joel and Ellie, and even though their performances were stellar, a vocal portion of the fanbase was quick to judge their casting before the show even premiered. Most of the backlash revolved around them not looking like the video game characters at all, which demonstrates the expectations put on the actress that's ultimately chosen for Abby. Based on the amount of complaints the casting of the two stars attracted, there's little hope that the casting choice for Abby won't be met with the same issue.
The Last Of Us Season 2 Could Set Up A Future Beyond The Games
The Last of Us probably won't end at season 2, meaning there could be future seasons that go beyond the game to create new stories and characters. Since additional stories would naturally resort in developments that weren't in the games, more cmore backlash for the directors and actors to deal with would become inevitable. That seems feasible, as could go beyond three seasons by changing how the story is told in season 2, whether that's keeping Joel alive for longer or dedicating more episodes to Abby and her character development.
Both Druckmann and Mazin will have to cast someone who can fully flesh out the character of Abby to ensure she plays the video game counterpart well. The same goes for other characters that were in The Last of Us Part II, including Ellie's friends Dina and Jesse, and Abby's friends Owen and Mel. These characters impact Ellie and Abby in the video game when their lives are on the line, making their casting of great importance for The Last of Us season 2. With these new characters and stories entering the world of the TV show, the show would have the potential to add further layers to Ellie and Abby, while also deepening its universe at the same time.
The Last Of Us Season 1's Success Justifies The HBO Series' Game Changes
All things considered, it can't be denied that The Last of Us did indeed make changes to the source material. It skipped certain action sequences and also introduced Kathleen, who wasn't even in the games. But while these changes have ittedly caused division, the sheer amount of success the show has experienced in its first season alone proves that they weren't necessarily mistakes. The Last of Us season 1 became an instant hit and earned high ratings for its performance and beautiful story, thus justifying the creative liberties its taken in its efforts to adapt the iconic games.