HBO has spent the better part of the year assuring us that the second season of The Last of Us (and more) is confirmed. Unfortunately, just as it looked like it finally got the ball rolling, the soon-to-be-award-winning live-action adaptation of the similarly critically acclaimed video game franchise has just encountered a scheduling delay. But, make no mistake, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Rather, it’s because it cast one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood today.
After his breakout role in Game of Thrones, Pascal has since become a household name, starring in several high-profile projects, including The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. It’s this very same popularity that appears to have affected the production of The Last of Us Season 2.
Due to his busy schedule, HBO has no choice but to postpone the production schedule of Season 2 of The Last of Us by a couple of months to February 2024, as reported by Insider Gaming. While this slight delay shouldn’t affect the premiere schedule of the follow-up season, it does come with several implications.
Pascal’s burgeoning career sees him, among other projects, join the cast of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, which is slated for a November 2024 release. In addition to starring in a sequel that’s decades in the makings, rumors suggest his potential involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards. These commitments are likely what’s complicating the shooting schedule of The Last of Us Season 2. After all, there’s only so much material that you can shoot without one of the lead stars, a situation that’s unlike with The Mandalorian where he can NOT be present for filming most of the time.
Originally, filming for the second season was confirmed to commence on January 7, 2024. However, this timeline is no longer viable due to the actor’s engagements. This development follows the immense success of the series’ first season, which premiered on January 15, 2023, and garnered over 40 million views worldwide. Its finale episode alone achieved an impressive 8.2 million views. The decision to renew the series for a second season was made early into its run, with HBO recognizing the potential of continuing the narrative journey of Joel and Ellie, portrayed by Pascal and co-star Bella Ramsey.
Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the franchise, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to the first season and anticipation for the upcoming second season. The delay, while disappointing for fans, attests to the commitment to the quality and the high expectations surrounding the series. HBO’s Head of Drama, Francesca Orsi, indicated a potential 2025 release for the second season, which still aligns with the revised production schedule.
With a fourth season possibly in the pipeline, HBO can afford to take its sweet time knowing that audiences will remain tethered to their seats, interested to find out what’s next.
With creative geniuses like Druckmann and Mazin at the helm, the live-action adaptation of The Last of Us featured its fair share of creative deviations from the source material in its first season. It introduced new characters and developed fresh storylines while making several omissions from the game, all arguably for the better. These creative liberties add a unique dimension to the series, distinguishing it from the game while maintaining its essence.
With the second season presumably featuring the demise of Pascal’s character, Joel Miller, HBO has a real dilemma on their hands.
Given the amount of backlash The Last of Us Part II is still receiving to this date, especially following the announcement of the PS5 port, HBO could make changes to the script to make Pascal’s “death” in the live-action adaptation more ambiguous.
Of course, this is purely speculation. While controversies are normal, Naughty Dog or Druckmann have shied away from them in the past. Unless corporate meddles with the creative direction of the show, chances are that we’ll all see the same exact controversial moments from the sequel play out in live-action form once Season 2 premieres.
As HBO works around Pascal’s bustling schedule, the commitment to maintaining the series’ quality remains evidence, promising an impactful and engaging second season when it eventually airs.
Fingers crossed, we’ll find out more about The Last of Us Part 3 by then.
