Cancelled The Last Of Us DLC Would've Focused On Ellie's Mother
We packed a lot into Naughty Dog's The Last of Us in 2013, and while there was the acclaimed Left Behind DLC, did you know we nearly had a whole other story?
Following the first half of the main game and its equally harrowing "winter" segment, Naughty Dog gave us a flashback to Ellie's life pre-Joel when we explored her tragic history with Riley.
You don't get to learn much about Ellie's mother in The Last of Us, but if Game Director Neil Druckmann had his way, he would've expanded on the backstory of Anna Williams.
What Was The Cancelled The Last Of Us DLC?
Speaking to Variety, Druckmann explained his original plan was to give Anna Williams her own arc, saying, "I had written a short story after we had shipped the game already."
"It was supposed to be an animated short, but it fell apart and didn’t come to be," confirmed Druckmann. "There was a moment where we almost made it as DLC but it fell apart."
Even if the story of Ellie's mother was seemingly lost to the ages, it'll be brought to life in Craig Mazin's live-action The Last of Us series.
From what we pulled from the trailers and various interviews, we already knew we'd get to see some of Ellie's mother in HBO's nine-part series.
"In our conversations, I brought it up to Craig and he was immediately excited by it, or as he would say 'activated,' added Druckmann.
Is Ellie's Mother In HBO's The Last Of Us?
Druckmann's DLC revelation comes after Mazin confirmed the series axed a scene that revealed the backstory of Anna Torv's Tess. At least we know Ellie's mother made the cut.
We're only two episodes into HBO's The Last of Us, but so far, we've had flashbacks to 1968 and Outbreak Day, while Episode 3 will give us an origin story for Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).
Promising something special, Druckmann concluded, "We brought it to life in the most beautiful, poetic way, which is Ashley Johnson playing Ellie's mom and she was the original actor for Ellie."
As the flashbacks have so far been used to open an episode, it remains to be seen if this is how the narrative continues. Given that Episode 7 is apparently a big flashback one with Riley, it would make sense to revisit Ellie's past here.
Either way, those who've played the games will know we better have the tissues handy because we're due another tear-jerking goodbye. Sarah, Tess, and now Anna - HBO, you owe us a hug.