Hardcore HBO fans know why big premiere nights are extra exciting. When the network knows lots of viewers will be tuning in for a highly anticipated show they use that as an opportunity to promote their other projects. That’s exactly what the cable station did ahead of House of the Dragon’s first episode. HBO aired a reel teasing its many upcoming series. And that promo provided our first look at HBO’s upcoming adaptation of The Last of Us. Which in less than 20 seconds, already looks emotionally devastating.
HBO and HBO Max just got the hype train running on the backs of dragons with a jam-packed trailer. The teaser included quick looks at a ton of returning and debuting shows, including hits like Succession and The White Lotus. As well as sneak peeks at new miniseries like The White House Plumbers and Love & Death. But clearly, someone over there knows what we’re most excited for because it ended with a longer glimpse at The Last of Us.
The footage focuses on Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie, who are first seen walking across a snow-covered bridge. But the promo also shows him training her. And they two talk (or in Joel’s case, argue) about how much they’ve lost. While that happens, we get some flashbacks of why they’ve both had it so bad along with teases of the terror that still awaits them. Finally, the trailer gives us a glimpse of Nick Offerman’s Bill. He’s seen removing a gas mask.
As far as first looks go, it’s not much. But it’s plenty to get us even more excited for the video game adaptation. If this is your introduction to the franchise, though, it’s probably not possible to know exactly what’s going on. But the series’ official synopsis can fill in the many blanks. From HBO:
Based on the critically acclaimed video game The Last of Us, developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation 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 the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The show will not feature dragons. But we appreciate them flying in this preview of The Last of Us.