Summary
- Abby’s muscular appearance in The Last of Us Part 2 won’t be replicated in the HBO series, as the show has different storytelling priorities.
- The show will emphasize drama over violent action, offering a departure from the game’s approach to Abby’s character.
- The Last of Us Season 2 will explore Abby’s character through a more vulnerable physique, presenting a challenge in how her inner strength is portrayed.
Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann has commented on the comparison of Abby’s physical appearance between the HBO show’s season 2 and The Last of Us Part 2, explaining that her muscular appearance doesn’t play the same role in this version of the story. One characteristic feature of Abby in The Last of Us Part 2 is her athletic body, which is a result of the training she has undergone to successfully take her revenge, sparking curiosity among fans about why the HBO show won’t portray her that way.
The Last of Us Part 2 sparked a lot of controversy upon release, with much criticism targeted at the character of Abby. Besides the character’s arc and the justification behind her actions, many fans were absolutely upset with her story, appearance, and ultimately with how her actions affected Ellie’s fate. While gearing up to take her revenge, Abby engages in a lot of physical and tactical training after her father’s death, developing a highly muscular body that helps her take down enemies and continue with her mission. However, this particular feature of hers won’t be respected in the show adaptation.
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Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin commented on Abby’s actress and appearance in The Last of Us Season 2. Responding to fan queries about the lack of the character’s muscular physique, Druckmann explained that in the video game, Abby needed to look like that because her gameplay had to differ from Ellie’s. Abby’s mechanics were closer to Joel’s, and this was essential to justify her strength and fighting style.
The Last of Us Season 2’s Focus Will Be Drama Rather Than Violence
Druckmann added that, even though Season 2 will feature violent moments, the main focus of the show is drama. “There’s not as much violent action moment to moment,” he said. This doesn’t mean the show won’t have its fair share of action, but the approach will be different from the game. Considering how important her physique is for her character arc in the game, this raises the question of how The Last of Us Season 2 will tell Abby’s story.
Craig Mazin explained that Abby’s appearance in the show opens the door to exploring who she is in this more vulnerable body, while posing a challenge about how to portray her strong spirit and formidable nature without this feature. It’s still unclear how the show will present the events in relation to the game and whether it will address some of the major criticisms it received.
As for what is known, The Last of Us Season 2 will feature more infected humans, following Season 1’s heavy criticism regarding this. While fans await the release of Season 2 in April 2025, it will be interesting to see this new version of Abby.
The Last Of Us
- Release Date
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January 15, 2023
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
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Craig Mazin
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Bella Ramsey
Ellie Williams
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lamar johnson
Henry Burrell
