The third season loses Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross, Keys in the narrative success of the series
Things are drastically changing in the HBO zombie apocalypse. And we are not talking about a new mutation of Cordyceps, but THE Output of two key figures who modeled the emotional soul of The last of us: Neil Druckmann y Halley Gross. Both creatives, connected both to the original video game and their winner’s television adaptation, decided to move away from the project just when the third season begins to glimpse.
What comes to “The Last of Us” without its original creators
Halley GrossWho is co -S The last part of us II Together with Druckmann and it was an essential part of the series script, he confirmed that he will not continue to participate in the development of the show. His message was emotional: “I decided to take a step back in my daily work in “The Last of Us” to make room for what is coming. This experience was transformative“Gross clarifies that he has other projects on the horizon, but he has not yet provided concrete details … again.
The news comes only a few weeks later Neil Druckmann He will also announce his departure. The co-romhowrunner and creator of the original universe will leave the series to concentrate completely on Bad dogwhere you already work on a new IP called Intergalactic: the heretic prophet. The moment was carefully chosen: “With the work ended in season 2 and before the significant production of the third starts, it is the right time to focus on the projects of future projects“.
Both abandonments represent a file Narrative scarice For a series that has distinguished itself precisely for its intimate, human and sometimes brutal tone, something that Gross and Druckmann knew how to take television without losing the essence of the video game.
Will season 3 be able to stand?
With the original out of play screenwriters, fans are in maximum warning mode. And it is no less: the end of the second season has left a series of tension -loaded scenes. Abby, played by KaitlynHe shoots Tommy (Gabriel Luna), Kill Jesse (young Mazino) and faces Ellie (Bella Ramsey) … and then leave us with the screen in black. A cliffhanger who shouts “will continue”, but now generates doubts.
The third season should adopt the structure of the second video game, narrating the facts from Abby’s point of view. A risky bet that has already divided the players in their time and who, without the emotionally complex vision of his creators, could remain in the middle of gas.
For now, Craig MazinCooker and even at the head of the project, you will have to pilot this ship without its two trusted co -Ders. We will have to see if the new creative team manages to capture that mixture of despair, tenderness and violence he has made The last of us Something more than a series of zombies.
Ellie and Abby, two visions of the same broken world
One of the most ambitious narrative pillars of The last part of us II The player on Abby’s skin was put, a controversial but deeply effective decision for break the hero’s dichotomy. The television adaptation seems determined to follow that path, although without Halley Gross and Druckmann at the helm, doubts arise on the fact that they will know reconstruct that same complex empathy On the screen.
The choice of Kaitlyn Dever Como Abby It has been applauded by critics and fan in the same way, thanks to its ability to mix strength, vulnerability and determination. Its version of Abby will be the emotional nucleus of the third season and probably the turning point that decides if the series maintains its level or falls victim to its ambition.
You can survive The last of us Without his original creators? Soon we will know, but it is clear that the journey will not be easy … neither for its characters, nor for his screenwriters.
