The Last of UsTV show recently had its premiere and game director Neil Druckmann has proudly shared this his parents “finally experienced” what he helped create. The first episode ofThe Last of Uswon’t debut publicly until January 15, but a private premiere this past Monday allowed Druckmann the opportunity to let his parents see what he’s been working on. It’s something that may never have happened ifThe Last of Usremained solely a video game.
Video game adaptations for television rarely prioritize authenticity, as Druckmann is well aware of after seeingNaughty Dog’sUnchartedmade into a major film. ButThe Last of Usshowrunner Craig Mazin had different plans. He sought out Druckmann, who initially told Mazin no, and eventually persuaded him to co-create and co-writeThe Last of Usadaptation. Which is to say,The Last of Usshow is authentic to Druckmann’s original vision – at least, in the ways that matter.
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In an interview withVanity Fair, Druckmann admits that as proud as he is ofThe Last of Usgame, it’s not something his parents would ever get to experience. He mentions that, like many first-generation video game players, his parents “don’t play video games.“AdaptingThe Last of Usinto a television showhas allowed Druckmann’s parents to “finally experience” what he’s created, though. Druckmann took his parents to the Monday premiere.
Duckmann’s parents weren’t the only important people that got to seeThe Last of Usshow’s premiere. According to Druckmann, the show was also screened for the developers at Naughty Dog, too. “Hundreds” of Druckmann’scolleagues at Naughty Dogwatched the series debut. “They got to see their work realized, I think, to such a beautiful degree,” says Druckmann. He went on to describe that some of his co-workers were even moved to tears. An animator even messaged Druckmann regarding two scenes they said were recreated shot-for-shot in the show.
For someone like Druckmann, who has invested so much of himself into bothThe Last of Usvideo game and now the TV show, it has to be a very special moment. He’s been able to showcase his work across mediums not only with his parents, who may not have experiencedThe Last of Uswithout the show, and with those who helped createThe Last of Us.
It won’t be long before everyone can begin viewingThe Last of Us, whether they be fans of the video games or those who may never have known aboutThe Last of Usif it wasn’t adapted for TV. The show’s first episode debuts on the HBO Max streaming service on January 15, with an episode to debut each week after.Druckmann not only co-created the series, but co-wrote the firstThe Last of Usepisode and directed the second.
The Last of Uspremieres January 15 on HBO.
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