The Last of Us Season 2 showrunner Craig Mazin said ‘most of the fan theories are incorrect.’

WARNING! This article contains spoilers of The Last of Us Part II game.

HBO’s The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin recently shed light on the myriad of fan theories and predictions swirling around the upcoming season, providing a glimpse into what viewers can expect.

In an interview on the Scriptnotes podcast (via GamesRadar), Mazin addressed the speculation head-on. While he expressed admiration for the creativity and passion of the fanbase, he revealed that most theories have missed the mark. Mazin stated:

“I’ve been monitoring things on the internet a little bit, people are very clever, they like to see where we’re shooting and then they have all these brilliant theories about what it means. I wish I could put my arm around each one of them and say, ‘No.’ Most of the theories are incorrect, some of them are halfways correct, some of the conjecture is like 28% correct. But I do enjoy it all, I like the interest, it’s fun.”

Derived from the acclaimed video game franchise by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us has captured the hearts of viewers with its thrilling saga of endurance and human connections amidst the ruins of America. The narrative follows the journey of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), whose relationship evolves amidst a backdrop of chaos and danger. With season 2 already in production in Canada, fans are eagerly dissecting every piece of information available, crafting intricate theories about the show’s future direction.

The ambiguity of Mazin’s comments has only fueled further speculation. As The Last of Us is derived from a renowned video game series, fans anticipate a certain direction for the storyline of season 2. However, Mazin’s remarks suggest that the show may diverge from its source material in unexpected ways.

How The Last of Us Season 2 Builds on Its Characters and Storyline

Season 1 was praised for its faithful adaptation of the game’s storyline, with some deviations that enriched the narrative. For instance, the episode focusing on Bill and Frank expanded on their backstory, providing depth to characters that were less prominent in the game. This approach indicates that season 2 might continue to explore new dimensions of the story, even as it remains anchored to the game’s plot.

A key concern for the forthcoming season is the depiction of Joel’s death, a critical moment in The Last of Us Part II. The controversy over this plot point in the game has ignited widespread speculation about its portrayal in the series. The season 1 finale set the stage for a faithful adaptation of Joel’s storyline, but Mazin’s comments suggest that the show’s approach may still hold surprises.

As the filming of season 2 progresses, fans will undoubtedly continue to piece together clues and formulate theories. While Mazin enjoys the speculation, he also reminds viewers that the true course of the story remains shrouded in mystery. As the show has already demonstrated, “The Last of Us” is unafraid to chart its own path, weaving a narrative that both honors its origins and explores new territory. As anticipation builds, one thing is certain: the next chapter of The Last of Us promises to be as enthralling as the first.