The highly anticipated second season of The Last of Us, the HBO adaptation of the popular PlayStation game, may face a delay in its release date due to the ongoing writer strike in Hollywood. This news comes after the successful debut season of the series earlier this year.

Early Release Hopes And Filming Plans

Initially, there were indications that Season 2 would be released sooner rather than later. Bella Ramsey, the star of the series, mentioned that the second season could potentially be released by the end of 2024 or early 2025. Actor Pedro Pascal hinted that filming might begin by the end of 2023 in Vancouver, Canada.

The Last of Us Season 2 Coming Later Than Expected

However, a recent production update from Variety suggests that The Last of Us Season 2 will likely be released later than anticipated. According to the report, the audition process for the series has been paused due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. Filming for Season 2 is now expected to commence in early 2024 in Vancouver, which is a departure from previous expectations of a late 2023 start.

The first season of the series took around 18 months from the beginning of shooting to its HBO Max premiere. With the updated filming start in early 2024, the release window for Season 2 will likely be shifted from late 2024/early 2025 to early-to-mid 2025. Additionally, it was revealed that no scripts have been written for the second season yet, and the casting process is utilizing material from The Last of Us Part II video game, which serves as the basis for Season 2.

Uncertainty Surrounding Release Date

While it was initially intended for The Last of Us Season 2 to begin shooting by the end of the current year, the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike has disrupted those plans. The strike has affected the production’s pre-production phase, which was expected to start smoothly. The delay in the production start, moving it from late 2023 to early 2024, may not have a significant impact on the series’ debut, possibly only pushing it back by a couple of months.

However, the duration of the writer strike remains a concern. Entertainment law expert Tara Kole, co-founder of JSSK, stated that the hope for a swift resolution to the strike has faded, and it may last for an extended period, potentially into the fall or winter. If the strike persists, it will further push the release date of The Last of Us Season 2. Currently, showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have ceased their writing duties and work on the show entirely due to the strike.

The Last of Us Season 2’s release date is now facing potential delays due to the ongoing writer strike in Hollywood. The production start is expected to be pushed from late 2023 to early 2024, potentially resulting in the second season’s debut being shifted to early-to-mid 2025. The duration of the writer strike remains uncertain, and if it continues for an extended period, the release date may be further postponed. Fans of the series will have to wait for more updates as the situation unfolds.