Movies
‘The Last of Us’ Film Will Differ Significantly from the Game
Right now, as you’re reading this, Sony is busy working on bringing developer Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic hit The Last of Us to the big screen. As a huge fan of the game, I have high hopes that this could very well be the first good video game adaptation. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the Resident Evil and Silent Hill films to varying degrees, but even I can recognize they’re not particularly “good” movies.
I have hope because I know that Sony wants this film to be successful as much as the fans do. After a massively successful start, The Last of Us is poised to become a huge new franchise for them that spans games, films, and everything in-between.
At Comic-Con last month, it was revealed that Maisie Williams, known by geeks around the world as Game of Thrones’ Arya Stark, is in talks to play Ellie. Williams is the best option, in my humble opinion, outside of their going back in time to abduct a 14 year-old Ashley Johnson. The film is a collaborative effort with Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead – but you already knew that), proving again that this is something they’re taking seriously.
Because turning a 15 hour game into a 2 hour movie is no easy task, writer and creative director Neil Druckmann has revealed that the film will differ substantially from its source material. “In two hours you can’t tell the same kind of story that you can in a game like The Last of Us, which is 15 hours,” Druckmann told MCV. “I’m in the middle of it now, and it’s been super difficult because there’s so much that happens in The Last of Us – even just in the cinematics – that can’t fit in a film, let alone all the gameplay in-between and dialogue.”
Their interactive nature means games can meander a bit, because the audience is always actively engaged, but a film has to be more focused. So to remedy this, Druckmann needed to find the most important aspect of its story — the relationship between Joel and Ellie — and focus on that.
“It’s been really difficult to cut certain things out, but what I’m starting to get this is really focused narrative that’s about these two characters. Some parts will be similar to the game and some parts will be quite different, but it’s kind of interesting in helping me understand this other medium and its strengths compared to video games.”
I’m glad it won’t be a copy/paste of the game, because I’ve played it. I want a new experience, and it sounds like that’s exactly what Druckmann and company are looking to accomplish with this.
“Mythic Quest” actor Chase Yi has been cast in a lead role in Paramount and Blumhouse’s new Paranormal Activity movie, Deadline reports this afternoon.
Ian Tuason (Undertone) will direct the eighth installment in the Paranormal Activity film franchise, set to release in theaters May 21, 2027.
As for character details or plot, well, those remain scarce at this stage.
While we wait for further news on whether the demonic Toby will reappear, Tuason previously revealed to Bloody Disgusting that technology will play a huge role in his vision: “Technology — camera technology — has advanced to a point where it’s become a big part of the film and what I want to do there.”
It’s fitting, especially as it was the original Paranormal Activity that inspired the filmmaker’s haunting debut, undertone.
Paranormal Activity, created by Oren Peli, first hit theaters in 2007. Its groundbreaking minimalist approach to found-footage ghost stories has spawned a seven-film franchise that’s grossed nearly $900 million worldwide.
Franchise originator Oren Peli will produce for Solana Films, with James Wan and Jason Blum producing for Blumhouse Atomic Monster. Michael Clear and Judson Scott will exec produce for Blumhouse Atomic, with Alayna Glasthal overseeing the project for the company. Other exec producers include Steven Schneider for Room 101, Inc., Dan Slater and Cody Calahan.
Also on the way soon is the Paranormal Activity stage play.
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