HBO’s TV adaptation of popular video game The Last of Us has found itself a prominent director. At least, for the pilot.
Emmy-award winning director, Johan Renck, has confirmed he will directing the pilot episode of the series. As well as this, he will be serving as an executive producer. Renck is known primarily for his work on the hugely successful and critically acclaimed miniseries, Chernobyl.
Whilst speaking with ‘Discussing Film’, Renck explained he would be directing ‘at least the pilot’. He has not ruled out directing future episodes.
The show also sees Renck re teaming with Chernobyl creator, Craig Mazin on The Last of Us. Mazin, alongside The Last of Us‘s video game writer and creator, Neil Druckman, are penning the series and producing, also. Another The Last of Us alumni who is moving onto the TV series is composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
Also Read: The Last Of Us 2 Will Change How Video Game Violence Is Viewed
Renck further explained, ‘I’m an executive producer on it and attached to it. It’s an ongoing TV series. So that’s not something that I will be able to take on to that extent, but I’m part of that series and I will be directing at least the pilot. Then we’ll see how it goes on further. I mean, both Craig and I, we are working with each other again and we will work with each other on other things because we like each other.’
Renck is also aware of the seriousness of adapting these famous characters. Whilst he is used to adapting real-life, historical figures, The Last of Us is centred on two of the most loved video game characters of recent years.
‘So with the The Last of Us, this is something that we’re discussing,’ he explained. ‘We’re having weekly calls, Craig and I and also Neil who created the game, about various approaches and how to deal with that. How to deal with the fact that a video game character is way further than a character from a book.’
Although the TV shows has yet to announce any casting, fans are already petitioning for their favourites. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Kaitlyn Dever are high up on the list.
The highly anticipated video game sequel, The Last of Us Part II will release on PlayStation 4 this month, on June 19th.
Source: Comicbook
