The Last of Us Part II Director Opens Up About Ellie’s Tumultuous Evolution

Ellie has been to hell and back in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II is pushing her to the limits. Now the game’s director is opening up about her journey thus far in a new blog post meant to give eager fans a closer look at what’s in store. 

The journey first began back in 2013 when director Neil Druckmann first sat down with Ellie actress Ashley Johnson, “I told her I had something else I was working on and I pitched her that idea. So she’s there in the restaurant crying, and I’m thinking ‘I hope people don’t think I’m doing something horrible.’ But that’s the first time I remember having some strong idea.”

At this point, he mentioned that he had pretty much the entire framework for the Last of Us narrative mapped out.

via Gfycat

For those that played the first game, Ellie’s journey was one part of a very gut-wrenching tale. The story was hailed for its emotional punches and stunning narrative design, and that level of thought absolutely follows suit with the sequel. 

“In the first game she’s trying to find someone to rely on,” Druckmann told the PlayStation Blog. “She tells Joel that ‘everyone I’ve ever known has died or left me, everyone except for you.’ She kind of latches onto Joel.”

Last year’s E3 showed off a new trailer with Ellie and Dina in a romantic dance, “Dina becomes this best friend she’s now had for years. They flirt with each other, but Ellie doesn’t quite know where this girl stands. We see that Dina feels very similarly to Ellie.”

Though Druckmann didn’t say what the event that sets Ellie off is, he does hint that it is beyond tragic and sends Ellie off on a quest to bring “the responsible people to justice.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty heckin’ terrified about what’s to come. The first game tore my soul out and I’m excited and nervous to go through that again.

The Last of Us Part II officially makes its way to Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on February 21, 2020. You can learn even more about the highly anticipated sequel with our previous coverage here including the latest trailer, special editions, and even some awesome cosplays!