In a rare development in the world of video game adaptations, the game's writer and creative director, Neil Druckmann, is also involved and working with Mazin to write and produce what is intended to be a series.
Carolyn Strauss will also serve as an executive producer, along with Evan Wells, president of Naughty Dog, a developer of the Santa Monica-based game.
The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television in association with PlayStation Productions. Be the first PlayStation Productions television series.
Launched in 2013, Sony and Naughty Dog's The Last of Us, received critical acclaim for their fascinating post-apocalypse story, focusing on the relationship between Joel, a smuggler in this new world, and Ellie, a teenager who may be the key to curing a deadly pandemic.
Were so psyched to be teaming up with @HBO to create a new The Last of Us series with @Neil_Druckmann and @clmazin at the helm: https://t.co/AzjxMdjTbQ pic.twitter/6gFjdXtiMw
– Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) March 5, 2020
Joel, a survivor, hired to smuggle the 14-year-old girl from an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts out as a small job soon becomes a brutal and moving journey when they cross the United States and depend on each other to survive.
The HBO series covers the events of the original game, written by Druckmann, with the possibility of additional content based on the game's next sequel, The Last of Us Part II, which will be released on May 29.
"Neil Druckmann is undoubtedly the best storyteller working in the video game industry, and The Last of Us is his magnum opus"said Mazin. "Having the chance to adapt this breathtaking work of art a dream of mine for years, and I am very honored to do it in partnership with Neil."
"From the first time I sat down to talk to Craig, I was equally impressed by his narrative approach, his love and his deep understanding of The Last of Us", Druckmann said in a statement. "With Chernobyl, Craig and HBO created a tense, distressing and emotional masterpiece. I couldn't think of better partners to bring The Last of Us history to life as a television show."
The Last of Us won several "game of the year" awards and sold over 17 million copies in its original release on PlayStation 3 and in a remastered version on PlayStation 4.
"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to partner with Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the teams at Sony, Naughty Dog and PlayStation to bring the virtual world of this acclaimed game to life", said Casey Bloys, president of programming for HBO.
"This is the first of many programs that we plan to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions"said Chris Parnell, co-president of Sony Pictures Television Studios. "The Last of Us is a brilliant achievement in narrative and character development, and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with this team to adapt it."
Naughty Dog veteran veterinarian Druckmann, starting as a programming intern in 2004. In 2007, he was given the role of game designer in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the first part of the Uncharted action and adventure series. In 2013, he created The Last of Us, based on a concept he developed as a student at Carnegie Mellon University.
Mazin's Chernobyl faced a dark and complex real-life event and became an unmissable show for HBO. The show won an Emmy for excellent limited series and got one for Mazin for great texts. Mazin also won a PGA award and a WGA award.
