Anna Daniels
In a development sure to mollify apprehensive game players, HBO confirmed to Variety that video game writer and creative director Neil Druckman is actively involved with the adaptation. He will serve as an executive producer on the new show, and is likely to help Mazin actually pen the episodes of what they both intend to be an ongoing series.
Druckman is a journeyman video game writer, who started with Naughty Dog as a programming intern back in 2004. Just three years into his career, he earned his way up to the role of game designer on Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. The game was a hit, and in 2013 Druckman turned his talents to The Last of Us, widely considered by the gaming world to be his magnum opus.
Joining Druckman as an EP on the series is Carolyn Strauss, another writing veteran from the video game franchise. HBO also tapped Naughty Dog president Evan Wells to join his former employees. For the series’ production, Sony Pictures Television is teaming up with PlayStation Productions. This represents the latter company’s first foray into scripted TV.
Gamers are a discriminating bunch, and Hollywood has given them plenty of reason for skepticism, but it looks like HBO plans to make every effort to do justice to one of Naughty Dog’s crown jewels. With Mazin heading the squad as auteur and Druckman, Strauss, and Wells on board to ensure the new series does right by their original creation, it looks like This is Us is shaping up to be a project to watch.
Written by: Looper
