Warning: spoilers ahead for ‘The Last of Us’ Episode 9
The cast of Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, already full of familiar faces, takes a break the last survivor The show stars original Ellie actor Ashley Johnson. Lucky Game of Thrones Veterinarian Bella Ramsey received critical acclaim for her portrayal of humanity’s savior, and Johnson won hearts with her motion capture and vocals as Ellie in the film. the last survivor competed, winning two BAFTAs and earning TGA nominations from the first two races. Although many of the characters have been recast, the last survivor The show saw the return of several members of the game, including Johnson from the end of season one.
To celebrate the finale of the first season, rant screen participated in a special program the last survivor Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann press conference discussing HBO show. When asked about casting original actress Ellie Ashlee Johnson, the pair explained why she played such an important role in creating the show that explores the backstory of the game’s characters. See what Mazin and Druckmann have to say below:
Craig Mazin: It was one of those moments where I was questioning and you were telling me something and I was like, “Okay!” But then we both said, “Okay, wait, Ashley!” For me, it was one of the most satisfying moments of the show because I’m a game fan, I’m a Ashley fan, and as I always say, “Troy Baker disappeared in 1000 character, I can’t believe he’s got all the different characters he’s played, but Ashley sounds like Ellie and Ellie sounds like Ashley.” So to me, she was almost the character. this myth is, in a way, watching her give birth to herself and makes this genetic connection between her role as Ellie and Bella’s origin story in the role of Ellie is very poignant, I think everyone finds it beautiful and it touches on something that I think is important, which is that Neil has a really deep connection with the people who play these characters, even though it’s Troy, Ashley, Jeffrey Pierce or Meldandridge You feel these things, through these relationships, through the show, give me space to have a relationship with them, you feel It’s like having a family, the family has grown, man, things don’t always go as smoothly as in this business. Not really, honestly, it feels like a great thing and I’m really proud of what Ashley did in that episode.
Neil Druckmann: Ashley is amazing and I have no doubt she will be great because I have worked with her for many years. This was her first time doing any The Last of Us that I didn’t direct, so before that shoot, she called me and she was very nervous, and she said, “I don’t know what to do, I want you to be here.” I think I told her, I’m not lying, I said it with great confidence, and I thought, “Craig is there. Trust Craig. He was my co-parent for many months. , “I felt comfortable leaving the set for months because I saw the love he had for the material. I think it made it easier for her to say, ‘Wow, someone’s watching me, There are people who really like and care about these characters,” and I said to her, “Do what you do, it’s a partnership.” Because working with Ashley is a partnership that I had a very clear understanding of who Ellie was when I wrote these scripts, and a very different understanding while working with her. We were making the game, and I was writing the game on set, and had a copy. the outline that we followed, but then again, after filming the first few scenes with Ashley, she helped shape the character a lot That’s why she gave birth to that character in a hidden way example, and for her to actually do it in this scene, the scene feels so poetic and beautiful despite how sad the scene is.
Ashley Johnson should return for ‘The Last of Us’ season 2
Johnson is just one of many actors returning to the game the last survivor exhibition. One of the most notable actors is Joel-born actor Troy Baker, who in episode 8 played James, a high-ranking member of the cannibals group Ellie encountered while searching for medical supplies. to save Joel from a life-threatening wound. Others returning from the game include Mel Dandridge, who takes on the role of Firefly’s captain Marlene, Tommy Geoffrey Pierce’s original actor, who plays the new character Perry, and Laura Bay, who plays one of the medics. Dozens of Ellie’s operating rooms. profit.
Although Johnson’s Ana could have died in the season 1 finale, if she hadn’t been there the last survivor Season 2. Episode 9 establishes that she and Marlene had a relationship before Ellie was born, which makes her death at the hands of the infected all the more tragic when she is bitten by the latter. Since it was such an emotional time when Marlene had to kill her friend, it would be interesting to further explore their relationship through flashbacks in the sequel.
However, despite some hope of that, it seems unlikely that Ellie’s original actor, Ashley Johnson, will be returning. the last survivor Season 2. Mazin and Druckmann stated that the entire show will mostly stick to the events of the game, rather than include new material that Season 2 will adapt Our Last Part 2and with Marlene and Anna dying in season 1, there may not be an organic place to explore more of their backstory.