`Abby’s New Physique Sparks Controversy`

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Heed my words! This piece I’ve penned is brimming with spoilers from The Last of Us Part 2, a revelation that could tarnish the unfolding tale for you in The Last of Us Season 2.

Summary

  • Abby’s physique in The Last of Us Season 2 won’t match the game’s version.
  • Changes to Abby’s physicality could lead to fan disappointment and impact her character’s identity.
  • The producers are prioritizing storytelling over faithfulness to the game, potentially opening new avenues for Abby in the series.

HBO’s “The Last of Us” show was remarkably true to Naughty Dog’s original video game. At times, the series mirrored the game word-for-word, but during its transition to TV, certain elements were altered. For the upcoming “The Last of Us” Season 2, which is based on the second installment in the series, there are even more alterations being made to the screenplay. One notable change, concerning the character Abby, is a daring decision.

Aficionados of Naughty Dog’s games are well-acquainted with the fact that “The Last of Us Part 2” deviates significantly from its predecessor. The narrative follows the exploits of characters like Joel and Ellie, but also integrates a fresh batch of characters into the plot, and shifts locations frequently. One such newcomer is Abby Anderson, who emerges as a formidable adversary for Ellie and eventually becomes a character that players can control. The contrast between Ellie and Abby’s viewpoints and gameplay mechanics forms the cornerstone of “The Last of Us Part 2”, but adapting this concept into a screenplay necessitates some alterations by the creators.

Abby Will Be Built Different In The Last of Us Season 2

In The Last of Us Part 2, Abby is initially depicted as a towering, muscular woman with an advantage over her adversaries due to her imposing stature. However, concerns were raised when Kaitlyn Dever was chosen for the role about whether she would build up muscle for it. Later, Neil Druckmann, creator of The Last of Us and executive producer of the series, clarified in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the TV show’s Abby will not resemble the game character’s physique but rather reflect Kaitlyn Dever’s natural size and weight instead.

Why Changing Abby Makes Sense

The revelation about Abby’s character modification in “The Last of Us Part 2” has sparked disagreement among its fanbase. Neil Druckmann swiftly explained the rationale behind modifying Abby’s physique, stating that it was essential to create a distinct gameplay style for her compared to Ellie. In the game, Ellie is more agile and quick, while Abby possesses the raw strength and power that sets them apart in their respective sections of “The Last of Us Part 2”. This difference makes each character feel and play uniquely within the game.

As a passionate movie-goer, I can share that Druckmann, the mastermind behind this series, has emphasized less frequent intense action sequences and instead, placed greater emphasis on the narrative’s dramatic elements. He stressed that the focus was more on the acting prowess of the actress portraying Abby, rather than her physical resemblance to the character. This strategic choice led him to cast Dever, an actress he described as embodying the essence of our game.

In this piece, there’s less focus on immediate, intense action sequences. Instead, it leans more towards dramatic development. However, don’t mistake that for a lack of action; it’s simply presented in a distinct manner with alternative focuses and strategies.

Based on this data, it appears reasonable to conclude that The Last of Us Season 2 might alter Abby’s character. In the game, Abby’s character was designed to fit the gameplay needs and was appropriate due to the frequent fight scenes in The Last of Us Part 2. However, the show emphasizes character development over action, so finding an actress capable of portraying Abby’s emotional journey is more crucial than finding one who resembles her physically.

Abby’s New Physique Could Cause Problems

In the context of the show, transforming Abby’s appearance seems logical for the narrative, but there are potential issues this adjustment might bring up. For instance, some fans of Naughty Dog’s game may be disheartened to see Abby’s appearance differ from her portrayal in The Last of Us Part 2. Abby’s imposing physique and muscular structure, which drew criticism from certain quarters initially, was a significant stride towards depicting strong female characters in video games. Unfortunately, this aspect may not be preserved in the series adaptation.

In addition, it’s worth noting that Abby’s character development wasn’t solely based on gameplay considerations; it was driven by storyline reasons as well. During her teenage years, Abby resided with her father and the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, maintaining a typical physique for her age. However, the brutal murder of her father sparked a desire within her to transform into a formidable force for vengeance. Consequently, the character players encounter in the present narrative is the result of this intense training and transformation.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but notice the significant role Abby’s physicality plays in her identity, especially in shaping the poignant tragedy at the heart of her narrative. However, should the series decide to alter this aspect of her character, there are concerns that Abby might not carry the same emotional weight she currently does. This modification could pose challenges later on, as the climax unfolds and Abby undergoes another transformation, a twist that’s designed to be a powerful character moment. Without the initial foundation upon which this moment is built, its impact in the series might not resonate as deeply as intended.

Eventually, it becomes necessary to view the TV series and video game adaptation of “The Last of Us” as distinct works. The creative team is making decisions based on what they think serves their particular narrative best. This approach might cause some discomfort among fans who long for a faithful adaptation, but it could also provide opportunities for Abby’s character development that weren’t present in the game.

The Last of Us Season 2 will debut on Max in April.

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2025-02-06 22:34