Image via HBO
HBO’s last of us It left no stone unturned to ensure that some of the game’s visuals made their way to the screen without compromise. And the same can be said for episode eight, for which the audience Craig Mazin ensured that a certain key scene in the play was done proper justice; Ellie’s showdown with the sinister minister David, played in the series by Scott Shepherd. But the high stakes of the fight scene also made it a cause for concern for the co-creator of the game (and the HBO series), Neil Druckmann,
Sony Global released their part two manufacturer to manufacturer video series today, titled “last of us Cast and Creators on Violence and Shoot-Delaying Laughs,” in which Druckmann, Mazin, Pedro Pascal, and Bella Ramsey sat together in a roundtable-like situation to talk about the production of the show. In it, Druckmann revealed that he was Joel and Ellie — and the nerve-shredding fight leading up to it — “as good as the game, if not better.” He was so immersed in the success of the scene, in fact, that he found himself taking a look at the footage daily. Couldn’t bring it to cast because the scene was being filmed.” I don’t think I told you,” he confesses to Mazin.
Luckily, the fight sequence lived up to their expectations, and more. Druckmann revealed that the David sequence in the show, where Ellie kills David during their final confrontation, was “more brutal” and “more disturbing” than in the game. Druckmann was apprehensive about the adaptation of “some fans’ expectations” as well as his own scene; He hoped the scene would stay in line with the tone of the gameplay, as well as throw a narrative curveball.
“And somehow, the David sequence is more brutal than the game, it’s more disturbing, it’s harder to watch. As someone who’s familiar with the game, you certainly hope that Joel will come in there and grab Ellie, And he doesn’t. And you’re saying, ‘Well, what’s up?’ It just throws you off.
While the scene remained true to the source material (with some adjustments), it was also revealed that some scenes were changed in episode eight. Most notably, the steakhouse scene, and the shift to Joel saving Ellie emotionally rather than physically, a payoff whose dramatic power shocked even Druckmann.
“And Ellie kind of stumbles out, and she’s covered in blood, and … way [she] reaches out and hugs [Joel], I was just like, just – tears, like, down my face. I had to stop it. I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ I immediately grabbed my phone, I texted Craig, and all I said was, ‘We did it.'”
episode 8 of last of us Available to stream on HBO Max.