For Kaitlyn Dever, stepping into the world of ‘The Last of Us’ feels like coming full circle. The talented actress is set to take on the highly complex and controversial role of Abby in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2.
However, this isn’t her first brush with the post-apocalyptic franchise. Years ago, Dever was nearly cast as Ellie in a scrapped Last of Us movie adaptation, making her current casting as Abby a fascinating twist of fate.
Kaitlyn Dever Almost Became Ellie
HBO’s take on ‘The Last Of Us’, based on the beloved PlayStation video game, continues to captivate audiences with its narration of survival, revenge, and humanity. Moreover, Kaitlyn Dever is stepping into one of the most polarizing roles in modern gaming. During a press conference for Season 2, Dever revealed how surreal it felt to finally be part of the adaptation after having been involved in an earlier version of the story.
“It was sort of surreal because I had since become such a huge fan of the show. I loved what the two of them Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann did in this first season. It was just pure magic,” Dever shared with EW. Her love for ‘The Last of Us’ franchise dates back to her teenage years when she played the original game with her father.
That experience solidified her admiration for the story. Additionally, it makes her inclusion even more meaningful. Back in 2014, when a ‘Last of Us’ movie was in early development, Dever was reportedly attached to play Ellie. The project was being helmed by game creator Neil Druckmann alongside horror director Sam Raimi.
However, the movie struggled to find its footing, with reports indicating that Sony wanted a more action-heavy direction that strayed from the heart-wrenching, character-driven core of the story. Eventually, the film was shelved in 2019. Not all was lost, as this paved the way for HBO’s critically acclaimed television adaptation instead.
Kaitlyn Dever On Playing Abby In ‘The Last Of Us’ Season 2
Abby’s introduction in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 will undoubtedly challenge viewers. A soldier hardened by loss, Abby is driven by a relentless thirst for vengeance. Additionally, her mission also ultimately entangles her fate with Joel and Ellie in a way that deeply divided gamers when ‘The Last of Us’ Part II was released in 2020.
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For Dever, embodying Abby was a daunting yet rewarding challenge. She spoke about the internal and external transformation required for the role and how she sought to make the character her own. “I actually didn’t talk to Laura Bailey, the original voice and motion capture actor for Abby. They wanted the show to be its own standalone thing. She did an amazing job as Abby in the game. I definitely admire her,” she explained.
Rather than mimic the game’s version of Abby, Dever aimed to bring her unique interpretation to the role. Her main focus was on the emotional layers beneath Abby’s formidable exterior. “I think for me, Abby is so much more than what she is on the surface. She has this very angry, intense exterior, but underneath that, she’s just a really broken person. She’s a human being trying to cope with loss. Especially after that five-year time jump in the story, you can see how much has changed her.”
Dever’s commitment to portraying Abby as a deeply flawed yet profoundly human character is crucial to ensuring that audiences see her as more than just a villain. ‘The Last of Us‘ narrative thrives on its morally complex characters. Moreover, Abby’s story arc is one of the most debated aspects of the game.“I don’t know if it’s about her values necessarily changing,” Dever explained.
“But when you lose everything, what do you do with that? For Abby, she thinks revenge is the only way she’ll feel better. That’s what grief has done to her, it’s all-consuming,” she added. As The Last of Us Season 2 gears up for its premiere, anticipation is at an all-time high. Fans are eager to see how the series adapts the game’s most controversial storyline.
