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HBO’s The Last of Us is a big success, and part of the reason why is the efforts undertaken by showrunner, writer, and producer Craig Mazin. Given the immense popularity and critical reception to the show, some might wonder if Mazin would want to take on another video game adaptation next. He doesn’t. But if he did, he joked that GTA 6 or Candy Crush could be good fodder.
Speaking to Scifi Now, Mazin said he is “never going to” adapt another video game, saying The Last of Us is “my video game swangsong.” But if he were to give it a shot, he said he’d be “tempted” to try to adapt GTA 6 as a TV show because “I’m a masochist and I just think that would be like 19 seasons of TV.”
“But then also part of me thinks, ‘Oh, no, don’t do that. Do something else. That’s almost no story at all. Go ahead and try and do Candy Crush…!'” he added.
While Mazin doesn’t plan to make any further video game adaptations, he said he’s “excited to watch what other people do,” adding that he might step in to “help” with a project as a producer.
“I would love to help produce some good adaptations of video games, just a couple in mind that I actually have,” he said, without naming them.
But in terms of “writing and dedicating myself on a day-to-day basis,” he said The Last of Us will be his final video game adaptation.
Mazin was originally apparently attached to work on the poorly received Borderlands movie but he later clarified that he was not a credited writer on it. The movie was written by “Joe Crombie,” a person that some people do not believe even exists.
“Hollywood is waking up”
Also in the interview, Mazin said he’s observed that “Hollywood is waking up” when it comes to the idea that games can be “incredible source material” and worth “adapting with respect.” He cited the success of A Minecraft Movie and the Fallout TV shows as evidence of this.
Indeed, the number of Hollywood adaptations of video games is ramping up. There are currently more than 40 video game movies in the works, along with numerous TV shows. The Twisted Metal TV show returns this July, while Mortal Kombat 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 movies are set for release later this year. Then in 2026 we’re getting a Street Fighter movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. Check out the gallery below to see more of the upcoming Hollywood video game movies.
As for The Last of Us, the TV series is coming back for a third season that will focus on Abby’s story.
