The Last of Us is all set to hit the streaming platform within a few days. The much-anticipated series based on the widely acclaimed video game has a lot of hype around it. But along with the anticipations, the fans are also somewhat worried about the project. Looking at the track record of all adaptations made in the past, fans are also quite skeptical about the upcoming show. Even the casting of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey was also subjected to intense internet hate.
The hardcore fans of The Last of Us games claimed that Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are not at all accurate to the virtual Joel and Ellie. While speaking to The New York Times, the Ellie actress opened up about how the unwarranted hate had a serious impact on her mental health.
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Bella Ramsey opens up about the internet backlash
When the Naughty Dogs game was announced to be having a series adaptation under the HBO umbrella, fans were already doubtful about its fate. But even after it was announced that the creators of the original game would be attached to the series, the debate surrounding the casting didn’t stop.
One of the major complaints by the fans was that The Last of Us characters in the game and the actors portraying them are very dissimilar. Despite the repeated assurance by the creators, the stars continued receiving a ton of hate from everywhere. Addressing the initial hate, Bella Ramsey said:
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had a negative reaction to something. There would be times I’d find it funny. Then I’d get to the end of a 10-minute scrolling session, put my phone down and realize: Maybe that was a bad idea.”
The Last of Us is a major stepping stone in the 19-year-old actress’s career. Undeniably, the hate had quite a harsh impact on Ramsey’s mental health as well. She added that the hate causes some serious mental issues like self-doubt in her:
“It’s only recently that I’ve accepted I am Ellie, and I can do it, and I am a good actor, but this will last for a few weeks and then I’ll think I’m terrible again. That’s just the process”
Not only the Hilda actress but others like Pedro Pascal and Rutina Wesley have also been subjected to hate. But no matter how much skepticism is in the air or how much hatred the stars get, the early reviews regarding the show have been extremely positive. If the reviews by the critics get on the same line as the audience, it is expected to change the perspective of the fans.
The Last of Us promises an amazing experience
The award-winning video game is centered around a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection has taken over the entire United States. Amidst the ravaged lands, Joel a man who has lost much gets the job of escorting a little girl named Ellie.
Also Read: Did HBO Nail the Adaptation of The Last of Us?
The series has already received a strong 97% on Rotten Tomatoes with a majority of critics praising it for doing complete justice to the game. Now if the issue of casting doesn’t bother the fans much and the series connects to the audience then it could be a landmark in the world of adaptations. On top of it, the creators have also confirmed that the show won’t be dragged unnecessarily which also pleased many fans about the future of The Last of Us series.
The Last of Us will be streamed from January 15, 2023, on HBO Max.
Source: The New York Times