The Last of Us is one of the most popular video game franchises ever made, and will soon be adapted into a live-action series on HBO. The series will show the events of the first game in a new light and could potentially change some of the things that transpired in it, such as Ellie's story.
There are many differences between video games and TV shows that will likely result in some things being changed from the source. While Ellie has one of the best character arcs in the franchise, some aspects of her life could be further explored in the HBO adaptation.
More Of Ellie's Early Life Could Be Explored
While there were parts of Ellie's early life that she had mentioned in the games, it seems that her upbringing could be explored further in the HBO adaptation. Ellie's video game voice actress, Ashley Johnson, is confirmed to be playing a woman that gives birth during the apocalypse in the live-action series. Many fans believe that Johnson's character will turn out to be Ellie's mother, Anna.
Seeing as how Anna was only ever mentioned, it would make sense for her to appear in the HBO series if Ellie's early life is more relevant in it than it was in the games. This could potentially give fans an insight to Ellie's character that they never had before.
Ellie's Relationship With Riley Could Play A Bigger Part In The Series
In the original game's DLC, "Left Behind," as well as the prequel comic, "American Dreams," fans were introduced to Riley, a friend and love interest of Ellie's. While fans know how the two met by reading the comic, and learned that she died when Ellie got bit and learned of her immunity by playing the DLC, not a lot about her or her friendship with Ellie was discovered.
Seeing as how The Last of Us HBO adaptation is adapting the DLC, it is possible that fans will learn what happened between Ellie and Riley before it and after the comic. After all, the comic did raise more questions than answers for Ellie's story, so knowing that Riley will be in the HBO series may also be a hint that those mysteries will finally be answered.
What Ellie And Marlene Were Up To Before Crossing Paths With Joel And Tess Could Be Seen
Marlene was one of the most important people in Ellie's life, but only a little bit of their relationship was ever explored, similar to Ellie's bond with Riley. The HBO adaptation is the perfect opportunity to show Ellie and Marlene's adventure prior to crossing paths with Joel and Tess.
Once Joel and Ellie meet, their epic journey truly begins, but Ellie would never see Marlene again. As a result, one of the most important people in Ellie's life is barely ever seen with her. While the live-action series should definitely end Marlene and Ellie's stories the same way, it would be great to see them interact more before they separate in the beginning of the original game.
There Can Be A Lot Of Scenes In Between Part 1 And Part 2 If There Is A Second Season
While Ellie was already a main character in The Last of Us Part 1, it isn't until the sequel when Ellie steps up as a protagonist. However, there are a lot of things that happened to her in between the two games, and it would be wonderful to see how her life changed in between them more if the HBO series were to get a second season.
The first game ends with Ellie and Joel going to live in a community. However, fans never got to see Ellie adjust that much to having a lot of people around her who aren't a threat. It would be great to see her meet the people she came to care about in The Last of Us Part 2, like Dina and Jesse and how they became so important to her. The flashback scenes in the second game could also be adapted into episodes, showing how Ellie came to realize the lies that Joel told her in a brand-new way.
HBO's The Last of Us will release on January 15.