HBO's "The Last Of Us" (Season 2)

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by Leonidas King

My dream was always to see Hugh in that role, but Pascal is an interesting choice.

Hugh Jackman was already in that roll in the movie Logan. But he would HAVE been great as Joel a few years ago (too old for TLOU Part 1 now)

[joshsquash729]

I gotta say, I didn't even have Bella Ramsey on a list of possibilities, so I'm eager to see what they saw in her. I have no doubt she can channel Ellie. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the aging, though. Ellie is 14 in the first game, which Bella definitely passes for now. Ellie is 19 in the second game, but a VERY mature 19.

My thoughts are the same for Joel. I feel foolish that I never even considered Pedro Pascal, but he's perfect- he even kinda looks like Joel when he grows his beard out a little more.

I'm extremely excited for the show. I hope they're able to expand the lore and world build a little more, but I also hope it doesn't just drag on. As long as they follow the journey of the games, with some expansion where necessary, and keep the storyline tight and succinct, ala Breaking Bad. Can't wait to see how they translate the Infected. Those damn Clickers still freak me out.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Leonidas King

My dream was always to see Hugh in that role, but Pascal is an interesting choice.

I was pulling for Josh Brolin as I thought he would've been perfect for the role. But I'm not UN happy with the casting choice.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by joshsquash729

I gotta say, I didn't even have Bella Ramsey on a list of possibilities, so I'm eager to see what they saw in her. I have no doubt she can channel Ellie. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the aging, though. Ellie is 14 in the first game, which Bella definitely passes for now. Ellie is 19 in the second game, but a VERY mature 19.

My thoughts are the same for Joel. I feel foolish that I never even considered Pedro Pascal, but he's perfect- he even kinda looks like Joel when he grows his beard out a little more.

I'm extremely excited for the show. I hope they're able to expand the lore and world build a little more, but I also hope it doesn't just drag on. As long as they follow the journey of the games, with some expansion where necessary, and keep the storyline tight and succinct, ala Breaking Bad. Can't wait to see how they translate the Infected. Those damn Clickers still freak me out.

I really hope they don't jump into the second game right for season 2. If I was behind the adaptation process, I'd

[Show spoiler]take the flashbacks as the basis for season 2. End that season with the rift between Ellie and Joel. Season 3 all about them being apart, developing Jessie and Dina, and ending with them reconciling. I'd also toss Abby in. Develop her pre golfing incident, much like Game of Thrones developed its characters before they shared scenes.

That way, it allows Bella to age naturally in between seasons. There's plenty of story in ellie's journal to base storylines off of for that period. In fact, I'd say a lot of it is quite vital to the second games storyline. Skipping over all of it would be a disservice.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by joshsquash729

I gotta say, I didn't even have Bella Ramsey on a list of possibilities, so I'm eager to see what they saw in her. I have no doubt she can channel Ellie. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the aging, though. Ellie is 14 in the first game, which Bella definitely passes for now. Ellie is 19 in the second game, but a VERY mature 19.

My thoughts are the same for Joel. I feel foolish that I never even considered Pedro Pascal, but he's perfect- he even kinda looks like Joel when he grows his beard out a little more.

I'm extremely excited for the show. I hope they're able to expand the lore and world build a little more, but I also hope it doesn't just drag on. As long as they follow the journey of the games, with some expansion where necessary, and keep the storyline tight and succinct, ala Breaking Bad. Can't wait to see how they translate the Infected. Those damn Clickers still freak me out.

Is the actress little/petite like Ellie? I am being told at work that she is a larger girl. Not fat - but just more or less not thin like Ellie

I have to look up what she looks like today (later)

[joshsquash729]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

I really hope they don't jump into the second game right for season 2. If I was behind the adaptation process, I'd

[Show spoiler]take the flashbacks as the basis for season 2. End that season with the rift between Ellie and Joel. Season 3 all about them being apart, developing Jessie and Dina, and ending with them reconciling. I'd also toss Abby in. Develop her pre golfing incident, much like Game of Thrones developed its characters before they shared scenes.

That way, it allows Bella to age naturally in between seasons. There's plenty of story in ellie's journal to base storylines off of for that period. In fact, I'd say a lot of it is quite vital to the second games storyline. Skipping over all of it would be a disservice.

Completely agree. There's plenty of ideas to mine- expand the characters of Tess and Marlene, for instance. Expand Joel's relationship with Tommy. They could easily squeeze an episode or 2 from the Left Behind DLC from the first game.

I think it ultimately comes down to how long each season is. If they do the fairly standard 8-10 episodes, I think they could fit the first game into a season and still expand a little. If it's a little on the shorter side, like 6-8, I think they could get away with expanding to 2 seasons. There's fair amount of story, but not thaaat much story, especially when considering they'd compress much of the extended gameplay sections (all the stealth scenarios, combat, etc.) into a few minutes each.

The question is how to approach 2. I think, in order to do it justice, you'd have to split it into at least 2 seasons, if not 3. I liked how they did the flashbacks in the game- it kept a sense of tension and mystery through it, but if they separated them and made them their own story, that could easily be at least half a season. Expand the stories of Abby, the Fireflies, some of the other groups to pad it out. It would be interesting to see all the Abby stuff play out before the golfing trip happens. Think that might make her character a little more palatable to the average viewer. That said, I hope they don't change her story up too much, if at all. I like the divisiveness of it.

Even though it would be completely disjointed, it could also be interesting to see them adapt some of the side stories you find through notes and such. There's lots of exciting possibilities.

[joshsquash729]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Is the actress little/petite like Ellie? I am being told at work that she is a larger girl. Not fat - but just more or less not thin like Ellie

I have to look up what she looks like today (later)

I wouldn't say she's larger at all. She's still young, and got a bit of a baby face. Ellie was thin in the first game, but not stick thin. I think both Bella and Ellie are average for their age, and of course, there's no saying that Bella can't get smaller or bulk up for the role too. Ellie kind of tip-toed that fine line between looking young and acting mature, and I think Bella's got that down pat.

[TheSweetieMan]

Everything about the casting is uninspired and awful.

No hope for this series after all.

[AnimalCMan]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

I really hope they don't jump into the second game right for season 2. If I was behind the adaptation process, I'd

[Show spoiler]take the flashbacks as the basis for season 2. End that season with the rift between Ellie and Joel. Season 3 all about them being apart, developing Jessie and Dina, and ending with them reconciling. I'd also toss Abby in. Develop her pre golfing incident, much like Game of Thrones developed its characters before they shared scenes.

That way, it allows Bella to age naturally in between seasons. There's plenty of story in ellie's journal to base storylines off of for that period. In fact, I'd say a lot of it is quite vital to the second games storyline. Skipping over all of it would be a disservice.

I hope they do this too. In my opinion they can only improve upon the second game. I was not one of those who outright hated it, but many story elements were rushed and not earned IMO. The show taking its time could definitely do a better job earning certain moments (it also helps I will not be forced to play things I don’t want to do).

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Or you know, they’ve probably auditioned, screen tested and decided on that like they do thousands of other productions.

I have no clue why people are caught up on the ‘look’ of a fictional character. They were never going to get and exact fit for the look of the characters and it’s more important to get someone who can pull their weight in acting terms. If you’re getting hung up on the look of the characters, more than likely you don’t need this adaptation as it’s going to defer from you’re preferential treatment of the story which are in the games.

The look was never going to be more exact, but they could have tried to have someone that looks a bit more warm? Ellie had an innocent look and is slowly turned in what she despises which make that eventual change even more disturbing. This actress just has a more killer sinister look. Like someone who would slit your throat while you're sleeping for eating the last bagel in the break room. She was great in Game of Thrones, but she played somewhat of a hard ass there. We'll see of course in the final product, but I'm not excited with the casting choice.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

The look was never going to be more exact, but they could have tried to have someone that looks a bit more warm? Ellie had an innocent look and is slowly turned in what she despises which make that eventual change even more disturbing. This actress just has a more killer sinister look. Like someone who would slit your throat while you're sleeping for eating the last bagel in the break room. She was great in Game of Thrones, but she played somewhat of a hard ass there. We'll see of course in the final product, but I'm not excited with the casting choice.

Wait
Did they cast her and pick her because she’s a regular HBO actress?m

I’m being serious. Still at work and being told she was in Game of Thrones (HBO) and she’s on another series on HBO. So does HBO like to keep people in the “hbo family” or something? Pardon my ignorance but I’m being told this and sincerely asking

[JayTL]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Wait
Did they cast her and pick her because she’s a regular HBO actress?m

I’m being serious. Still at work and being told she was in Game of Thrones (HBO) and she’s on another series on HBO. So does HBO like to keep people in the “hbo family” or something? Pardon my ignorance but I’m being told this and sincerely asking

It's possible. Maybe there's some shared producers or something like that.

[Blu Lemmy]

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

Everything about the casting is uninspired and awful.

No hope for this series after all.

Cool story bro

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Wait
Did they cast her and pick her because she’s a regular HBO actress?m

I’m being serious. Still at work and being told she was in Game of Thrones (HBO) and she’s on another series on HBO. So does HBO like to keep people in the “hbo family” or something? Pardon my ignorance but I’m being told this and sincerely asking

I think most studios like to work with actors they know are reliable and recognizable. It's just like any other job. They have hired you in the past and you did a good job, so it would make sense that they would want to hire you again.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I think most studios like to work with actors they know are reliable and recognizable. It's just like any other job. They have hired you in the past and you did a good job, so it would make sense that they would want to hire you again.

Interesting

Ok. So a good worker. A reliable worker

But not necessarily “the best for the particular role” as Foggy had me thinking

Originally Posted by Foggy

Or you know, they’ve probably auditioned, screen tested and decided on that like they do thousands of other productions.

Now I don’t know what to believe

Was she hired cuz she’s best for the job or because she’s got a great work ethic?

It could be that there was and is someone better suited to specifically play Ellie, right?

[Gacivory]

I like the casting! I guess it’s time to finally finish the game.

[JayTL]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Interesting

Ok. So a good worker. A reliable worker

But not necessarily “the best for the particular role” as Foggy had me thinking



Now I don’t know what to believe

Was she hired cuz she’s best for the job or because she’s got a great work ethic?

It could be that there was and is someone better suited to specifically play Ellie, right?

She's the best for the job with the best work ethic.
Maybe she has a clause in her contract where she (or HBO) get's first dibs on a project for her.

Is there someone better? I don't know. I'm honestly okay with the casting.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

Interesting

Ok. So a good worker. A reliable worker

But not necessarily “the best for the particular role” as Foggy had me thinking



Now I don’t know what to believe

Was she hired cuz she’s best for the job or because she’s got a great work ethic?

It could be that there was and is someone better suited to specifically play Ellie, right?

I imagine her being a child actor likely comes with a decent work ethic regardless. But the people behind the show have likely seen her act out the role as with several other candidates before deciding on casting her. Everyone her is just judging her based on her Game of Thrones work which isn’t representative.

[Gamma_Winstead]

There is absolutely no reason to assume she got the role just because she worked with HBO in the past. They've worked with several girls of the same age in the past few years, including in His Dark Materials, the other show Bella was in... which is only co-financed by HBO. It's a mostly BBC/Bad Wolf production anyways. She's also worked with several other companies, such as Netflix, where she voices Hilda. Why is there this assumption that Bella only got the role because she worked with HBO when Pedro's casting isn't being questioned the same way?

As far as her body type, she sure as shit looks like a thin 14 year old girl to me. That person you work with has issues if they think she's "larger". She's the one in the middle here.

[oubukibun]

Meh.

Hollywood doesn't typically venture outside its comfort zones, so it's not a big surprise Pascal snagged this since he's essentially playing the same archetype in The Mandalorian, which is hugely successful, and thus, will guarantee those monies.

That being said, man is his casting atrocious. Also, is he going to be in everything now? I remember right after Loki that Hiddleston seemed to be everywhere at all times, right alongside Mendelsohn being cast as a villain in everything under the sun after Animal Kingdom came out.

I'm hyperbolizing, yes, but geez...

They're so lazy.