Fans of The Last of Us series may have to wait a bit longer as the start of the second season's filming has been pushed to February due to scheduling conflicts with star Pedro Pascal. While the initial plan was to begin shooting in January, the Directors Guild of Canada has now indicated a February 20 commencement. Pascal, who plays Joel, is concurrently involved in other major projects like Gladiator 2 and potentially Fantastic Four.
Despite the brief delay, it's expected that the release schedule of the HBO series will largely remain unaffected, with the anticipated air date to be somewhere in 2025. The upcoming season is set to cover the narrative of The Last of Us: Part 2, a story which the creators have said would span multiple seasons.
On the gaming side, creator Neil Druckmann is reportedly working on a new, unannounced game at Naughty Dog, alongside a multiplayer game based on The Last of Us. January also saw the announcement of The Last of Us: Part 2 Remastered for the PlayStation 5, set for release on January 19, 2024. The remaster will feature options for both 4K fidelity and 1440p upscaled to 4K performance modes, as well as a new roguelike survival mode called 'No Return'. PS5's DualSense controller will provide haptic feedback, and gamers can expect shorter load times. To top it off, PS4 owners of the original version can upgrade to the PS5 remaster for a fee.
This news underscores the ongoing success and expansion of The Last of Us franchise across both gaming and television platforms, demonstrating its significant impact on popular media and fan cultures.
Comments
It's clear that The Last of Us franchise is juggernauting through pop culture, with its meticulous expansion on TV and the anticipated gaming enhancements weaving a tight web for fans to eagerly get caught in. Delays are just minor hiccups when it comes to Pedro Pascal's packed schedule, but knowing Naughty Dog's pedigree, the gaming side will keep the hype train chugging smoothly until those cameras roll.
The scheduling shuffle with Pedro Pascal's busy lineup is a minor hiccup for The Last of Us fans—a testament to the actor's rising star power. Meanwhile, the exciting updates about the upcoming PS5 remaster and Naughty Dog's mysterious new project keep the hype train for the series full steam ahead.