"Abby's Bulk-Up Skipped in The Last of Us Season 2, Says Druckmann"

In the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2, the portrayal of Abby by actress Kaitlyn Dever will differ significantly from her video game counterpart. Showrunner Neil Druckmann and co-showrunner Craig Mazin have explained to Entertainment Weekly that Abby's muscular physique, a defining feature in the game, won't be as emphasized in the TV series. Druckmann highlighted that the necessity to differentiate Abby's gameplay mechanics from Ellie's in the game does not translate to the show's narrative focus.

"We would've struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role," Druckmann stated. He elaborated that while the game required Abby to be physically distinct from Ellie, mimicking Joel's brute force, the show shifts its focus towards drama rather than constant violent action. "That doesn't play as big of a role in this version of the story because there's not as much violent action moment to moment. It's more about the drama," Druckmann added, emphasizing the altered priorities in storytelling for the HBO series.

Mazin added his perspective, suggesting that the adaptation provides an opportunity to explore Abby's character in a new light. "I personally think there is an amazing opportunity here to delve into someone who is perhaps physically more vulnerable than the Abby in the game, but whose spirit is stronger," he said. This approach aims to delve deeper into Abby's character, focusing on her inner strength and how it manifests, which will be explored across multiple seasons.

The HBO series plans to extend The Last of Us Part 2 beyond a single season, a departure from the first season which covered the entirety of the original game. Mazin mentioned that Season 2 will consist of seven episodes, designed with a "natural breakpoint," hinting at future seasons to cover the expansive story of Part 2.

The character of Abby has been a focal point of controversy, with some fans expressing extreme reactions, including harassment and threats directed at Naughty Dog employees and actress Laura Bailey. This toxicity led HBO to provide extra security for Kaitlyn Dever during filming. Isabel Merced, who plays Dina in Season 2, commented on the situation, reminding fans that Abby is a fictional character and not a real person.

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