As a seasoned cinephile who has weathered the storm of passionate fan bases for decades, I must admit that the latest developments surrounding The Last of Us have left me both amused and concerned. Kaitlyn Dever’s experience on set is a stark reminder of the blurred lines between fiction and reality that some fans often cross. It’s fascinating how deeply invested they can become in the characters they love, but it’s equally disheartening to see such intense hatred directed towards an actor who is merely playing a role.
Fans of video games, particularly those of “The Last of Us” franchise, are often deeply devoted, but there can be exceptions where this fervor becomes excessive. The production of “The Last of Us” Season 2 is nearing completion, however, it encountered a small setback when Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Abby in Season 2, felt compelled to engage additional security due to overzealous fans. After the successful first season on HBO, Season 2 of “The Last of Us” will advance in time, introducing new characters alongside Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in a world plagued by fungal infection. Among the new additions is Kaitlyn Dever, who portrays one of the most despised characters from “The Last of Us Part II”.
During an interview on Happy Sad Confused podcast, Isabella Merced (playing Dina in Season 2) shared an unusual incident where some passionate viewers intended to capture Kaitlyn Dever. The situation arose not because of anything Dever did, but due to the intense dislike certain fans harbor for her character, which has led them to confuse reality with fiction, misidentifying Dever as Abby. Merced elaborated:
“With numerous individuals displaying unusual hostility towards an imaginary character named Abby, it’s evident that some people dislike her intensely. To ensure Kaitlyn’s safety during the filming process, additional security measures were necessary.”
Why The Last of Us Fans Hate Abby
Caution: This discussion includes significant spoilers for “The Last of Us” series, particularly “The Last of Us Part II”. In the sequel developed by Naughty Dog, Abby is one of the two playable characters, alongside Ellie. Some fans and Ellie herself found her introduction quite intense. The Washington Liberation Front (WLF) has captured Joel in the game’s narrative. Before a desperate Ellie enters the room, Abby fatally strikes Joel with a golf club. It is later disclosed that the doctor operating on Ellie in the initial game, whom Joel had killed, was Abby’s father. Seeking revenge ever since, Abby’s actions have left many fans divided. While most consider “The Last of Us Part II” a masterpiece, some are deeply disappointed due to Joel’s demise.
It’s unfortunate to note that this isn’t an isolated incident for ‘The Last of Us’ fanbase, as they have on occasion expressed their displeasure towards the show’s cast members. When Bella Ramsey was chosen to play Ellie in Season 1, some fans voiced their discontent because they felt she didn’t resemble, sound like, or embody Ellie as they imagined her. Oddly enough, these fans seemed to forget that acting is an actor’s job. Consequently, Ramsey received harsh messages online. Speaking about the backlash, Merced expressed her astonishment at how fans could be upset when Neil Druckmann, the creator of ‘The Last of Us’, is one of the co-creators of HBO’s adaptation. Merced stated:
As a longtime fan of this particular show and video game series, I find myself perplexed by the backlash towards its creators. Having followed both the showrunner and the game creator from their early works, I’ve always admired their unique visions and creative processes. When they announced that they would be collaborating on new content, I was overjoyed. So, when people express anger or dissatisfaction with the latest release, it leaves me puzzled. If you appreciate the person behind the project, as I do, wouldn’t you be excited to see more of their work? It seems strange that some fans are upset about exactly what they claimed to love in the first place – a collaboration between these two talented individuals.
The Last of Us
Season 2 releases on Max and HBO in 2025. Season 1 is available to stream on Max.
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2024-08-16 20:02