The world of video game adaptations is on fire, and we’re not complaining! With the massive success of The Last of Us, it’s no wonder that other shows like Fallout are following in its footsteps. But what makes these adaptations so successful, and how do they impact the gaming world?
The Last of Us: A Game-Changer in Video Game Adaptations
Before The Last of Us, there weren’t many incredible dramas based on video games. This show about Joel and Ellie traveling together during a zombie apocalypse was dramatic, serious, and incredibly well-done thanks to Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann’s leadership and incredible performances from Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal, and The Last of Us cast. This raised the bar for all video game adaptations that came after, including Fallout.
However, that didn’t intimidate Fallout’s director and executive producer Jonathan Nolan. In fact, it made things better, as he told THR: “I was delighted. To your point, when Todd and I first sat down for lunch, the bar was not only not high, it was non-existent — especially in the TV space. You would have people adapting a first-person game and [a studio would be like,] ‘So the show is going to have a first-person point of view.’ No, that’s a grammatical tick of the game, that’s not how you adapt it. It’s always nice to be the first one. But when somebody makes something as good as The Last of Us, it makes it easier, because suddenly everyone understands what’s possible.”
Fallout: Riding the Coattails of The Last of Us’ Success
If anything, it was great that Fallout came after The Last of Us, because audiences likely had more faith going into it because they had gotten such a great video game adaptation last year. I know I certainly had that thought when I started watching it.
But what makes these shows so successful? Is it the fact that they’re based on beloved video games, or is it the way they’re adapted for the small screen? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that video game adaptations are here to stay, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge: The Next Big Thing in Video Game Adaptations
Speaking of which, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is working on a Tomb Raider series at Amazon, according to reports. The Fleabag star and creator is currently adapting the classic 90s video game series as part of her newly renewed deal with Amazon Studios. We can’t wait to see what she does with this beloved franchise.
Fallout TV Series: A First Look
Prime Video has unveiled a first look at the long-awaited Fallout TV adaptation. The post-apocalyptic drama — which is directly based on the popular video game franchise — will follow the citizens of 1950s Los Angeles, who are forced to live in underground bunkers to shield themselves from radiation, mutants, and other threats. The show focuses on bunker Vault 33, and pictures show Yellowjackets’ Ella Purnell as Lucy, wearing the iconic vault jumpsuit and stepping into the outside world.
We also get a glimpse of the Brotherhood of Steel, plus Invincible’s Walton Goggins as a bounty hunter who goes by the name The Ghoul. Other stars in the series include Twin Peaks’ Kyle MacLachlan, The Wheel of Time’s Xelia Mendes-Jones, and Emancipation’s Aaron Moten, as well as Moises Arias, Johnny Pemberton, Aixa Kendrick, Leer Leary, Dave Register, and Rodrigo Luzzi.
Westworld’s Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan are on board as producers, with Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner acting as showrunners, writers, and executive producers for the series.
The original Fallout games first came out in 1997 and are notably set in a retrofuturistic world. Speaking previously about their desire to bring the games to life, Joy and Nolan said in a statement: “Fallout is one of the greatest game series of all time.”
Fallout will premiere on Prime Video on April 12, 2024.
The Future of Video Game Adaptations
With the success of The Last of Us and Fallout, it’s clear that video game adaptations are here to stay. But what’s next for this genre? Will we see more adaptations of beloved video games, or will we see original stories inspired by the gaming world? Whatever the case, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.
