The Last of Us movie producer, Sam Raimi, has confirmed that production on the much-anticipated big screen adaptation of Naughty Dog’s PlayStation 3 shocker has stalled once more.
The Last of Us movie release date feels like a pipe dream right now
Speaking during an interview with IGN, Raimi explained that while the movie is in the pipeline, creative differences between Neil Druckmann (director of The Last of Us videogame) and Sony Pictures has resulted in the project hitting yet another roadblock.
"Well, unfortunately that one — when we went to Neil with Ghost House Pictures we were hoping to get the rights like we do any project and then we’d take it out and sell it but we’d control the rights. With this one he went to Sony — who I have a very good relationship with — but they have their own plans for it and I think Neil’s plan for it — I’m not trying to be political — Neil’s plan for it is not the same as Sony’s. And because my company doesn’t have the rights, I actually can’t help him too much. Even though I’m one of the producers on it the way he set it up, he sold his rights to Sony, Sony hired me as a producer by chance, and I can’t get the rights free for him so I’m not in the driver’s seat and I can’t tell you what Sony and Neil together will decide on. If they do move forward I’d love to help them again."
"Yes, I’m attached to it. I’m not too sure what that means. Right now it’s just sitting there. They don’t want to move forward, and it’s not my place to say why, and Neil, I think, is in a slight disagreement with them about how things should go so there’s a standstill. And I don’t have the power to move it."
Related – The Last of Us Remastered Review – PS4
While The Last of Us movie was announced back in March 2014—less than a year after the game’s PS3 debut—the project has hit a number of stumbling blocks along the way. Chiefly, Druckmann confirmed in April 2016 that no progress had been made on the script in 18 months. He had previously commented that gamers can expect some big changes for the movie in comparison to the source material.
While no casting details were ever confirmed, Maisie Williams, best known for her part in the popular TV series Game of Thrones, had expressed interest in taking on the role of Ellie. Given the production issues the film is currently undergoing however, it’s unknown if Williams is still interested in the role.
The Last of Us was released for PS3 in June 2013 and was later ported to the PS4 the following summer. The game achieved critical and commercial success, going on to sell over seven million copies worldwide and picking up numerous Game of the Year awards.
A sequel has been rumored for some time now, and while Naughty Dog has confirmed it was looking at prototypes for The Last of Us 2, the game has not yet entered development. In the meantime, you can enjoy PS4 Pro support for The Last of Us Remastered.