Bringing stories to life in Hollywood? Easier said than done. Especially when the universe decides to throw a couple of strikes, double the scheduling woes, and a splash of creative exits right into your production stew. That’s exactly the journey “The Last of Us” team has had — and let’s just say, they didn’t have a cheat code for this chaos either.
Strikes, Scripts, and a Shaky Start
Let’s rewind to 2023. If you thought infected were a problem, the Hollywood strikes proved a whole different breed of apocalyptic roadblock. First, the Writers Guild of America sounded the alarm in May 2023. This was no tiny protest — vitally, it lasted 148 whopping days, making it one of the longest showdowns in WGA history. Sharp negotiations over AI creeping into writers’ jobs, streaming rights, and fair pay? Check, check, and big check. When pens stopped moving, scripts stopped appearing, throwing everything from sitcoms to blockbusters — and yes, “The Last of Us” Season 2 — straight into limbo.
Actors auditioned using old scenes from “The Last of Us Part II” because there were just… no scripts. Imagine Bella Ramsey and the cast, giving it their all with recycled dialog, waiting for an all-clear on new material. Casting halted. Momentum fizzled. But wait, there’s more! In July, the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, walked out too. That meant even if you had a scene ready, good luck putting anyone in front of the camera.
Things didn’t really pick up until late 2023, after both strikes ended. So by then, the production calendar looked like it had been chewed up by a bloater and spat out. But the crew and creatives didn’t give up. In fact, they doubled down.
Navigating Setbacks: How The Crew Stayed Afloat
So how did the “The Last of Us” team deal with all this? First, they had to get creative about scheduling. Principal photography for Season 2, once intended for a much earlier date, finally got underway on February 12, 2024. Don’t think it was all green lights though — filming zig-zagged across British Columbia. Kamloops doubled for Jackson, Alberta. Vancouver’s lush forests stood in for those iconic post-pandemic landscapes. And yes, cameras rolled non-stop to make up for lost months.
Let’s run through some of the survival tactics:
- Flexible Timelines: The crew kept schedules adjustable, ready to pause if another industry snag cropped up.
- Prioritizing Local Talent: To dodge some travel issues, they leaned into hiring Canadian talent already in the area.
- Tight-Knit Communication: Craig Mazin (the showrunner) didn’t just steer the creative ship — he took to TheWrap in April 2023 to share how keeping “as many people employed as possible” kept morale up even when Hollywood was gridlocked.
- Standing Strong: Even during chaos, Mazin and the team rallied the crew, fueled by nothing but caffeine, stubbornness, and the undying fans waiting on the next chapter.
- Lean and Mean Production: The production even managed several key scenes with skeleton crews, adapting to shifting landscape with impressive resolve.
Filming wrapped August 23, 2024, but that wasn’t the finish line. Pick-ups and reshoots stretched into 2025, squeezing every ounce of drama from that British Columbia countryside.
Bumps, Budgets, and Bright Spots
The aftershocks didn’t just impact timelines though. Budgets ballooned, thanks to shifting dates and added safety protocols. Crew members felt the pinch — sometimes waiting weeks, even months, before paychecks finally arrived after long delays. Some left for other gigs. Others toughed it out, keeping the faith that HBO’s renewal meant steady work was just on the horizon.
And plot-wise? The showrunners used the downtime well. Mazin and former co-showrunner Neil Druckmann (yep, the game’s mastermind) got extra breathing room to iron out script details and story arcs based on all the drama and fan speculation about just how close the series should stick to the games. Storyboard tweaks happened over Zoom; script notes flew across continents. Even with Hollywood chaos, creative momentum found a way.
The Road to Season 3: Changes and Challenges
With Season 2 scoring nearly 37 million viewers in two months (shattering all expectations and folks, HBO noticed), fans started speculating about Season 3 before the credits on Season 2’s finale even rolled. HBO listened, greenlighting Season 3 on April 9, 2025 — before Season 2 even premiered. Now that’s faith in Ellie, Joel, and the clicker-verse.
But news hit in July 2025 that Neil Druckmann and writer Halley Gross (who’d been pivotal in shaping both the game and the show’s narrative punch) stepped away to work on other PlayStation projects. Now Craig Mazin goes solo as showrunner for Season 3. This could change the vibe — maybe even supercharge the pace or surprise us with new directions. Superfans should keep ears open for casting scoops and behind-the-scenes teases.
If you’re wondering what to expect next, HBO and Mazin are going all-in. The plan? Begin filming in 2026, with a promise for a “significantly larger” and longer season. Locations and casting are still under wraps, but rumors swirl about possible US and overseas shoots, and maybe a few big guest stars. No one’s denying the ambition.
How Will They Survive Next Time?
Having lived through two massive strikes, the “Last of Us” crew holds a master’s degree in crisis navigation now. So how might they dodge the next apocalypse, industry or otherwise?
- Proactive Script Stockpiles: Mazin has hinted at writing “way ahead,” prepping story arcs and scripts long before the first camera rolls, so delays don’t freeze the process next time.
- Virtual Magic: The team’s eyeing virtual production tools, maybe even using Unreal Engine like “The Mandalorian,” to whip up locations and minimize crew size if COVID-like restrictions ever rear their ugly head again.
- Better Backups: They’re forging relationships with backup studios in North America and even looking at Europe if Vancouver’s ever out of reach.
- Community Power: Transparent communication is now the default. Monthly updates to cast, crew, and even us fans. No one likes radio silence during zombie downtime.
And don’t forget, this isn’t just about power plays at the exec level. There’s a real heart beating behind this team. Mazin, in multiple interviews, calls the cast and crew “family.” The production heads know the stakes — personal and professional — when projects stall. So, they treat communication and honest updates as core survival tools, not afterthoughts.
What’s Next on This Wild Ride?
The storm clouds are clearing, at least for now. With Season 3 planning full steam ahead and fans hitting social media with cast wishlist threads longer than an infected’s groan, it’s clear excitement hasn’t dulled one bit. Even after strikes and schedule chaos, “The Last of Us” stands tall, battle-scarred but unbroken.
While nobody’s ever bulletproof in Hollywood’s strange wasteland, you can bet this crew’s got more than a few survival tricks up their sleeves. Come 2026, we’ll all gather (hopefully binge-watching from our couches, snacks in hand), ready for whatever heartbreak, horror, and maybe — just maybe — a little hope the next season will throw our way.
Because in the world of “The Last of Us,” enduring and surviving isn’t just for the characters. Turns out, it’s the team’s secret sauce too.
