Two curiosities.

[rogueslayer452]

++ It's been announced that The Last Of Us is getting a television adaptation on HBO. I have...conflicted feelings about this, to be perfectly honest.

On one hand, it would be interesting to see a live-action adaptation to further explore the world. While I know most adaptations made from video games haven't had the best track record and have often been mocked for being soulless cash grabs, the ones that I do like (Resident Evil and Tomb Raider) are often not really following a particular storyline but rather just basing it off of the universe while doing their own thing, and manage to do it well with keeping in the spirit and heart of that world they're inhabiting. However, my main concern with The Last Of Us is that it has a very specific story. It's incredibly character-driven, with the entire focus on Joel and Ellie's growing bond and relationship. The game is also cinematic on its own that there really is no need to actually have a television adaptation of it, you can actually watch all the cinematic cut-scenes and little moments between the characters online if you haven't even played the game. I'm not saying that it can't work, I'm just saying that it's going to take a lot of work to make it right. The connection between Joel and Ellie is something that the game does incredibly well, it is the heart and soul of the entire story and therefore vital to making it all work, and this is a mainly because of the voice actors who also did motion caption for the game, as well. While I know it may be an unfair comparison, it'll be hard to top that especially since voice actors often don't get enough credit for the hard work they do, especially with the nuances done with their performances. Also, while they don't physically look like the characters in the game, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker essentially are Ellie and Joel, particularly when you watch the special live stage performance that was done a while back.

I know the Neil Druckmann, the creator of the game, is going to be involved with the adaptation -- and he did dismiss the pitched movie adaptation some years ago because he didn't agree with the direction they planned for it -- so there is some hope, and I don't want to knock something before seeing the final product. But nevertheless, I am nervous since the game has very specific beats to the emotional storytelling that can only be experienced through firsthand gameplay and that can be hard to translate to a live-action adaptation. So yeah, I don't know how to feel about it just yet. It's a lot of mixed feelings at the moment.

++ There's been a lot of discussion lately surrounding the problems that Disney+ has been having and the possible future of the streaming service. This video addresses particular issues, including the "family friendly" branding that may ultimately hurt the service. I agree with what was said that Disney needs to start taking risks, by not taking a chance on things they are limiting themselves and that's not something they should be doing. Ultimately, Disney+ should be operating like what The Disney Channel did when it first launched in the 80s since it, too, was a subscription back in the day and it featured a lot of variety when it came to its content, including syndicating shows from other countries and bringing in shows from other networks and plenty of programming for all ages. It wasn't until the last two decades where it started becoming strictly kids-only content. So it's weird that they would want to be this restrictive for a service that can, and should, include a wide range of content for everyone to enjoy.

Comments

[awakenyourfaith.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you re: your thoughts on a TLOU adaptation. Stuff will have to change in order to fit the new format, but I hope that the natural essence of the story and the characters remain.

[nemophilist.livejournal.com]

I'm worried about the adding in of pointless nudity and assault where the source material doesn't call for it :(

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

I didn't watch the video, but I've heard that Disney+ won't have Love, Victor after all. I haven't read nor seen Love, Simon, so I don't intend to watch that show, but I'm wary of D+ rejecting a gay show.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's supposedly being moved to Hulu, which Disney does own, but this isn't the first time they basically backed out of showing anything featuring LGBT content. They originally scheduled a show called Four Dads to be part of their new original programming, but they scrapped the show entirely before it even got started. This does not bode well, as it supports many suspicions that Disney will never be LGBT-friendly. In fact, the only show that I can think of that actually had representation was Andi Mack, but only during its last season, and more towards the end, I think. Otherwise though, they are cowards when it comes to anything LGBT. Furthermore, the whole claim of shows being "too mature" for their "family friendly" brand is incredibly ridiculous, and it totally undermines and demeans the younger generation, imho, as well as their overall audience in general.

I do suggest watching the video when you get the chance, because it makes some interesting and valid points in regards to Disney floundering about despite all the unlimited resources they have.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

While I don't believe Neil Druckmann will approve of that happening and will hopefully have a lot of input of the creative decisions and direction of the adaptation of the story he created, it is a constant worry that there will be executive meddling of adding those unnecessary elements. Especially since the story is post-apocalyptic, execs might want to think that rape or exploitation is "realistic" for the setting, when it really isn't. :/

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

Oh, I hadn't heard of Four Dads before. The cancellation clearly does not look good on Disney.

[haebin.livejournal.com]

I've never played 'The Last of Us', but I only heard good things about the game. When I've read that the game getting a television adaption, I got very excited. But I totally understand when people who played the game are a little bit conflicted. I hope, the series will be good. Fingers are crossed.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

There's always that hesitation, y'know? Even if the creator is involved in some way, there's that risk of it being not as good as it should be and getting it all messed up. And that's where the conflict comes in, because I have no doubt there's potential in a live-action version of the story, it's just a matter of them getting it right. Because like I said, the voice actors did so much hard work creating and putting life into these characters that having someone else do the job, well, that's gonna be a tough sell.

This is also coming in around the time that the The Last Of Us: Part 2 hasn't even come out yet, so y'know, even if this may be a bit away from actually happening this feels like them trying to hop on the popularity of the game. idk, again those conflicted feelings.

[silverusagi]

I totally get not wanting an adaptation of something you love.

But if it could be done well, I'm excited. I'm totally not a gamer and have never been able to get into video games, even though I know there are probably stories that I'd love. So one of the best ones coming to TV sounds good to me, lol.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I had the same reaction to the 'Last of Us' announcement. I guess it might bring the story to a new set of people, and it is a good story, but I think those of us that love the game will have a hard time not comparing it to the performances there.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

That's the thing though, because I do see the potential of a television series based off the game(s) (since they're doing it for the first game and the upcoming sequel), however I'm very apprehensive because it could go either way. Hence why I'm saying I'm conflicted on the matter. I'm hoping that it'll be good, the creator of the game is involved with the process and they're getting the creator of Chernobyl to do the show, so it could actually be something good with talented individuals who care about telling a good story, and I'm willing to give it a chance. I'll wait to see what more news comes from it, though.

It would be a nice way of introducing people to this story who haven't played the game, because one of the praises the game has (alongside the gameplay mechanics) is the emotional storytelling and how character-driven it is. Even if I could link compilations of the cinematic cutscenes (since that is a movie in itself), sometimes you do have to actually play the game to be fully immersed and emotionally attached to what's happening for those scenes to have weight. So I am curious to see how they adapt or even change things that cannot be properly translated from the game to the screen.

So, like I said, I don't know how I feel about this just yet. I'm not entirely opposed to it, it's just something that I need to really kind of think a bit more on, is all.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and I know that this couldn't have been an easy decision to make either, since I'm sure from the success of the first game they've been approached with offers for an adaptation (like the movie proposal some years ago that was turned down), so accepting this wasn't something they did all willy nilly. I'm hoping that this means will be getting something of fantastic quality and that it'll do the story and the characters justice so it reaches audiences outside of the gaming world. With that being said though, I agree, it's going to be hard to convince the rest of us familiar with the game with the performances because for us, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker are Ellie and Joel. It's going to be a tough sell.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

The idea that homosexual relationships are a more mature concept than heterosexual relationships infuriates me to no end.