Since 2013, gamers have been enthralled by the story ofThe Last of Us. This video game broke the boundaries of what stories were possible in the gaming medium, and combined challenging gameplay with an emotionally rich story, set in apost-outbreak America.
For years, audiences have awaited the retelling of this story on the big screen, and it seems that the day is approaching fast when that reality will come thanks to HBO Max. In the trailer forThe Last of Us, many Easter eggs were spotted by die-hard fans of the video games, and it teases what awaits fans old and new ofthe live-action series.
9Alone And Forsaken
From the moment the trailer starts, gamers can rest assured knowing that a faithful adaption is hitting their screens soon. “Alone and Forsaken” by Hank Williams is the song choice for the trailer. The same song features as the title for a subchapter inThe Last of Us, and is featured in the game as Joel and Ellie are ambushed by hunters.
The use of this song further cements just how close the show will remain to the games, and it’s a fun nod to the gamers that have been waiting for this story in live-action ever since the cancelation of the Sam Raimi-involvedThe Last of Usmovie.
8FEDRA
Although not specifically named, FEDRA can be seen throughout the trailer. The Federal Disaster Response Agency was a division of the United States military that acted as ruling authorities in quarantine zones. ThroughoutThe Last of Us, Joel and Ellie fight and evade these military forces, that seek to keep people safe and trapped in their starving, overworked quarantine zones.
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FEDRA remains as one of the last remnants of a pre-outbreak American government, and across America, the agency sees itself battled and overthrown by the people. Joel is seen in the trailer beating a FEDRA soldier, as well as evading their capture in a sewer.
7“When You’re Lost In The Darkness”
On a wall written in an ominous red paint, that may well be blood, fans will spot the words “When you’re lost in the darkness.” This is the beginning of the phrase said by the Fireflies, a militia group that seeks the freedom of humanity from FEDRA, and to finally find acure for the cordyceps outbreakthat has ravaged the world for over 20 years.
The slogan for the Fireflies is “When you’re lost in the darkness, look for the light.” For 20 years, the Fireflies have not had the best of luck when it comes to their goals. They are made up of civilians that just want to help forge better lives, rather than a full military force.
6Joel’s Watch
A brief shot in the trailer forThe Last of Usshows audiences the watch on Joel’s wrist. This watch has quite a history and can reduce many blubbering tears. Joel’s watch was a gift from his daughter, Sarah, on his birthday. Then, the outbreak swept America. Joel’s watch was broken, and his hope succumbed togrief and darkness.
The inclusion of Joel’s watch is vital toThe Last of Us, for both its symbolism and visual identity. Thankfully, it seems as if the team behind the HBO series has made sure that the detail is stunningly accurate, including the correct cracks of glass and watch design.
5Freedom Museum Of Boston
When Joel and Tess take on a mission to smuggle Ellie out of the FEDRA zone, they find themselves making an essential detour through the Freedom Museum of Boston. This museum has exhibits that focus on the American Revolutionary War against Great Britain, and they are all but abandoned and left to dust and rot in a post-apocalyptic world.
The museum features in the game as Joel, Ellie, and Tess journey to the Massachusetts State House to meet the Fireflies. Within the museum, there are a lot of horrors, and the three charactersencounter all manners of infected, leading to some scary and tense scenes.
4Left Behind
Keen-eyed fans will be able to spot actor Storm Reid on a merry-go-round. Storm Reid has been confirmed as playing Riley, a vital character in Ellie’s story. It’s good to see that the HBO show will adaptThe Last of UsDLC,Left Behind, in which audiences learn of Ellie’s story before the game takes place.
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Riley was a tragically important character inLeft Behind, and the scene of her on a merry-go-round is directly from the game. The knowledge thatthis seasonwill adaptLeft Behindmay leave many fans who know the game emotional, considering that the post-apocalypse isnever kind nor gentle.
3Bill’s Town
Audiences got their first look at many adapted characters, but a true standout was a quick shot of Nick Offerman’s Bill. In the trailer, it seems as if Joel has fallen into a ditch, and Bill greets him with a shotgun pointed at him. This is due to Bill being the textbook example of an apocalypse survivor. Paranoia and caution are his two greatest allies.
Joel and Ellie venture through Lincoln, a small town in Massachusetts that has been dubbed “Bill’s Town.” This town is overrun with infected, with the only human alive being Bill. Bill keeps well away from other humans and guards his town with many deadly traps. He has an uneasy alliance with Joel, and his interactions in live-action will be great.
2“Run” Truck
Joel and Ellie encounter a Humvee inThe Last of Us, which remains memorable in the game for both its brutal appearance and extreme danger. It’s been heavily modified and houses an impenetrable turret that can mow through flesh. Perhaps the scariest detail on this truck is the front ram that simply reads “Run” in black paint.
Audiences haven’t seen the Humvee in all its terrifying glory, as the Hunter-driven vehicle has a corpse on the hood, missing its legs. The appearance of this truck inThe Last of Ustrailer proves that the infected won’t be the only deadly threat Joel and Ellie face.
1Clickers
Towards the end of the trailer, fans get their first look at the live-action version of a clicker. Clickers are those that have been infected with the cordyceps brain virus for a year or more. The prolonged exposure to the fungus has left them blind, with armored skin to make them stronger. They click like bats to use echolocation, meaning that anysound is deadly around these infected.
The appearance of the clicker inThe Last of Ustrailer is a great one, as it shows how the series is pulling in talents for its costume and makeup to make practical effects of these clickers. They embrace the body horror look, and it begs the question of how a live-action bloater will look.
HBO’sThe Last of Usairs in 2023.
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