![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S4D5SVNBMRB2HO4TU3LDK52NL4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d8fcd1185fff6d11f2a5b9254b2dfb63807ce26498b904a090922636a8a30007&width=400&height=225)
Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter, 'The way to break the video game curse is to adapt the best video game story ever – not by a little, but by a lot.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VKHM6ROJMBA27EA3E73VHGGNPQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=6fdbb4bf47a03cc6228cbc84b06bf0a1e1463276fee7d76c52f357d700b5126d&width=400&height=225)
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal star in the new television adaptation of The Last Of Us. All photos: HBO
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEL6PHYYC5AZPJXICKT5QO42KQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=66ea2bd7e0b700afb59d87b6e8480866ca082b2770d7db578aeb4c6840c5e5d9&width=400&height=225)
Set years after a virus infected millions, the emotionally-charged story features a middle-aged survivor, Joel, escorting teenager Ellie, who may be the key to humanity’s survival, across a zombie-strewn post-apocalyptic America
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKY3FZ7EF5BN5DZPXOKHDXVYZA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=7eead8deb764cdac84f4ad8e791a29cbc1f56c20239122093f2218380cfaa456&width=400&height=225)
The video game, released in 2013 by Naughty Dog, sold 37 million copies, and was considered a high point in video game evolution
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VLSC2HOJYFBG5ABN2PM6S7NSH4.png?smart=true&auth=4dfe987a20b2d3c90cfd4042bdc1029eb0330c195d39264af5d8e8113843ae1e&width=400&height=225)
The early five-star reviews suggest that — finally — backers HBO might’ve filled the hole left by its mega-popular fantasy Game of Thrones
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6NG4WVCIZZD5HMNCMCIS6YN6QU.jpg?smart=true&auth=04696a4b8108f9cb737093c8baa0b9bd6fe6353e684047c63e4e0ecd3a7cd2b4&width=400&height=225)
The project languished, until game creator Neil Druckmann was introduced to Craig Mazin, fresh off the hugely successful drama Chernobyl
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S4D5SVNBMRB2HO4TU3LDK52NL4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d8fcd1185fff6d11f2a5b9254b2dfb63807ce26498b904a090922636a8a30007&width=400&height=225)
Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter, 'The way to break the video game curse is to adapt the best video game story ever – not by a little, but by a lot.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VKHM6ROJMBA27EA3E73VHGGNPQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=6fdbb4bf47a03cc6228cbc84b06bf0a1e1463276fee7d76c52f357d700b5126d&width=400&height=225)
Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal star in the new television adaptation of The Last Of Us. All photos: HBO
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEL6PHYYC5AZPJXICKT5QO42KQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=66ea2bd7e0b700afb59d87b6e8480866ca082b2770d7db578aeb4c6840c5e5d9&width=400&height=225)
Set years after a virus infected millions, the emotionally-charged story features a middle-aged survivor, Joel, escorting teenager Ellie, who may be the key to humanity’s survival, across a zombie-strewn post-apocalyptic America
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SKY3FZ7EF5BN5DZPXOKHDXVYZA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=7eead8deb764cdac84f4ad8e791a29cbc1f56c20239122093f2218380cfaa456&width=400&height=225)
The video game, released in 2013 by Naughty Dog, sold 37 million copies, and was considered a high point in video game evolution
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VLSC2HOJYFBG5ABN2PM6S7NSH4.png?smart=true&auth=4dfe987a20b2d3c90cfd4042bdc1029eb0330c195d39264af5d8e8113843ae1e&width=400&height=225)
The early five-star reviews suggest that — finally — backers HBO might’ve filled the hole left by its mega-popular fantasy Game of Thrones
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6NG4WVCIZZD5HMNCMCIS6YN6QU.jpg?smart=true&auth=04696a4b8108f9cb737093c8baa0b9bd6fe6353e684047c63e4e0ecd3a7cd2b4&width=400&height=225)
The project languished, until game creator Neil Druckmann was introduced to Craig Mazin, fresh off the hugely successful drama Chernobyl
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S4D5SVNBMRB2HO4TU3LDK52NL4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=d8fcd1185fff6d11f2a5b9254b2dfb63807ce26498b904a090922636a8a30007&width=400&height=225)
Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter, 'The way to break the video game curse is to adapt the best video game story ever – not by a little, but by a lot.'
How The Last of Us raises the bar on video game adaptations
Succeeding where so many have failed, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin prove great video games can translate over to screen
James Mottram
17 January, 2023
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