HBO Teams Up With Craig Mazin And Neil Druckmann To Develop Series Adaptation Of Award-Winning Video Game "The Last Of Us"

Mazin And Druckmann Set To Write And Executive Produce; Carolyn Strauss And Evan Wells Also Executive Produce

Co-Production With Sony Pictures Television In Association With PlayStation Productions

LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2020 - Neil Druckmann (WGA and BAFTA Award-winning writer and director) and Craig Mazin (Emmy(R), Golden Globe and WGA Award-winner for HBO's "Chernobyl") will develop an HBO series adaptation of the award-winning video game "The Last of Us," it was announced today by HBO programming president Casey Bloys.

Druckmann and Mazin will write and executive produce; Carolyn Strauss (Emmy(R)-winner for HBO's "Game of Thrones" and "Chernobyl") also executive produces along with Evan Wells (President of Naughty Dog). The project is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and in association with PlayStation Productions. THE LAST OF US is the first television series from PlayStation Productions.

Based on the critically acclaimed video game "The Last of Us," developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation(R) platforms, the story takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival. The HBO series will cover the events of the original game, which was written by Druckmann, with the possibility of additional content based on the forthcoming game sequel, "The Last of Us Part II," which will release on May 29, 2020.

"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to partner with Craig, Neil, Carolyn and the teams at Sony, Naughty Dog and PlayStation to bring the virtual world of this acclaimed game to life," said Casey Bloys.

"Neil Druckmann is without question the finest storyteller working in the video game medium, and 'The Last of Us' is his magnum opus," said Craig Mazin. "Getting a chance to adapt this breathtaking work of art has been a dream of mine for years, and I'm so honored to do it in partnership with Neil."

"From the first time I sat down to talk with Craig I was equally blown away by his approach to narrative and his love and deep understanding of 'The Last of Us,'" said Neil Druckmann. "With 'Chernobyl,' Craig and HBO created a tense, harrowing, emotional masterpiece. I couldn't think of better partners to bring the story of 'The Last of Us' to life as a television show. I'm beyond excited to collaborate with them."

"This is a true thrill for us at Sony Pictures Television. 'The Last of Us' is a brilliant achievement in storytelling and character development, and we are lucky to have the opportunity to work with this team to adapt it," said Chris Parnell, co-President of Sony Pictures Television Studios. "This is the first of many shows we intend to develop with our friends at PlayStation Productions.