The Last of Us was first pursued as a 2014 Sony film with Sam Raimi before HBO series

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Sony and Naughty Dog initially developed The Last of Us as a feature film, with studio-produced key art posted in 2014 and Sam Raimi attached as a producer. Neil Druckmann confirmed the project would adapt the game's story while accounting for film's unique strengths. After a prolonged, tumultuous development the movie was shelved and the property was later adapted into an HBO series that became one of the network's biggest recent hits.

• Sony Pictures posted studio-produced key art on Twitter in 2014 labeling The Last of Us "soon to be a major motion picture" and depicting Ellie with a knife.
• Sam Raimi was attached to produce the film and took part in a "secret panel" at San Diego Comic-Con in 2014.
• Neil Druckmann confirmed in 2014 the planned movie would adapt the original game's story and "take into account the unique properties of film."
• The feature project underwent a lengthy, troubled development and was ultimately abandoned; the franchise was later adapted as an HBO television series that became a major hit for the network.