‘The Last of Us’ Announces Season 2 Premiere Date With New Teaser

We haven’t seen the last of The Last of Us.

This spring brings the highly anticipated return of the critically-acclaimed HBO and Max series, which is currently the most praised adaptation of a video game. The creator, writer, and executive producer of this series, Neil Druckmann, recently announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that Season 2 will debut on both cable and streaming platforms within a few months.

HBO and Max recently unveiled a fresh trailer for the upcoming second season, showcasing plenty of never-before-seen footage.

Two years ago, on January 15, 2023, the initial installment of “The Last of Us,” a TV series inspired by the popular PlayStation game franchise, made its debut. The show garnered both critical acclaim and high viewership, receiving 24 Emmy nominations and winning eight. This season, featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in lead roles, portrayed the storyline of the first “The Last of Us” video game released in 2013.

The upcoming season takes inspiration from “The Last of Us Part II,” a game that came out in 2020. Both Pascal and Ramsey will be back for Season 2, with new additions to the cast including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Danny Ramirez, and Jeffrey Wright.

Here is the new season’s official synopsis:

Five years following the incidents from the initial season, Joel and Ellie find themselves embroiled in a confrontation, not just with each other, but also a world that’s become more treacherous and unstable than the one they originally departed from.

In April, the second season of “The Last of Us” will debut on both HBO and Max. This upcoming season has a total of seven episodes, whereas the previous one had nine.

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

Wolf Man

Title Date: January 17

In the past, Universal’s attempt at rebooting “The Wolf Man” (or simply “The Wolfman”) was visually appealing but left audiences dozing off. Apologies to Rick Baker for the effort put in. The unique selling point of this revamp is Leigh Whannell, a gifted writer and director who demonstrated with his 2020 adaptation of “The Invisible Man” that he excels at updating classic Universal monsters with contemporary fright factors. Whannell’s take on “The Wolf Man” stars Christopher Abbott, who undergoes transformation following an encounter with a werewolf in the woods near his ancestral home. Given the intellectual depth Whannell brought to “The Invisible Man,” this premise likely hints at a more complex story than it initially seems.

Dog Man

Title Date: January 31

If you’re a parent with elementary school children, you’re likely familiar with the beloved graphic novel series, Dog Man, penned by the acclaimed author of Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey. This series combines elements of science-fiction and superhero genres while injecting it with a dash of slapstick humor that appeals to kids (and their not-so-grown-up dads, such as myself). Remarkably, amidst the gross-out gags, these books manage to exude a surprising amount of warmth too.

The Dog Man series is quite unique, and adapting its distinct tone could be challenging. However, based on the trailer for the upcoming film, it seems they’ve successfully captured the essence of it, at least according to my two kids (and their not-so-grown-up dad).

Captain America: Brave New World

2025 promises to be a more action-packed year for Marvel compared to their output in 2024, which saw only one movie release (Deadpool & Wolverine). In contrast, they’ve got three titles lined up for 2025, among them being Captain America: Brave New World, the near-conclusion of Phase Five in their cinematic universe. This film is significant as it marks Anthony Mackie’s debut as the new Captain America. Additionally, fans can look forward to the reappearance of several key characters from The Incredible Hulk after a 15-year hiatus, including Betty Ross and The Leader. Furthermore, the movie offers a unique opportunity to witness Harrison Ford portraying the enraged beast, the Red Hulk.

Mickey 17

Title Release: March 7th

Warner Bros. has repeatedly adjusted the release date for director Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated follow-up to “Parasite.” Initially scheduled for last year in March, then moved to January, followed by April, and now set for this year in March. Let’s hope it stays on schedule! I’m eagerly anticipating how Bong will utilize the winnings from his Best Picture Oscar with Robert Pattinson portraying a man in a dystopian future who consents to being cloned each time he dies, only to encounter one of his replicas.

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The long-awaited sequel by director Bong Joon-ho, originally slated for release last March, has been rescheduled multiple times by Warner Bros. It was then moved to January, April, and is now set for March this year. I’m excited to see how Bong will spend his Best Picture Oscar winnings, with Robert Pattinson as a man in a dystopian future who gets cloned each time he dies, eventually encountering one of his duplicates.)

Black Bag

In the cinematic sphere once again, acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh collaborates with screenwriter David Koepp (following their recent works in 2022’s “Kimi” and January’s “Presence”) for a gripping new espionage thriller titled “Black Bag.” This action-packed tale features the stellar duo, Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, as a married spy team. Their relationship is put to the test when Blanchett’s character is falsely accused of treason, creating an intricate web of tension and deceit. Reminiscent of the fast-paced action in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” this film promises a more refined and gritty take on their escapades. We can’t wait to see it!

Sinners

Under the direction of Ryan Coogler, who has previously created some of this century’s top franchise films like “Creed” and “Black Panther”, comes a fresh project titled “Sinners“. Notably, Michael B. Jordan, who has featured in all four of Coogler’s previous works, will be joining him again on this endeavor. Although the exact storyline is yet to be disclosed, it’s been reported that the film is a period horror production with a vampire theme. The rights for this project were acquired by Warner Bros., after an intense bidding war among several studios.

The Accountant 2

Title Announcement: Arrives April 25

After nearly a decade, the much-loved accountant-turned-hitman and everyone’s favorite Wednesday night movie on TNT is returning! That’s right, the long-awaited sequel to the gripping 2016 action thriller, “The Accountant,” has finally been released. Ben Affleck returns alongside director Gavin O’Connor, with Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson reprising their roles. Although the specifics of the plot remain unclear, fans are eagerly anticipating this new installment, expecting to be tickled by some clever accounting humor along the way.

Lilo & Stitch

Title Date: May 23

Apologies for any skepticism you might harbor towards Disney’s continuous live-action adaptations, given some of the less inspiring ones we’ve seen recently. However, Lilo & Stitch might buck this trend. Firstly, the source material – an alien misfit landing on Earth and bonding with a solitary Hawaiian girl – appears more amenable to live-action compared to, say, a Bard’s animal-populated jungle tales. Secondly, Dean Fleischer Camp, who previously directed Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, helms this remake. Here’s hoping he infuses freshness and originality into the storyline. And let’s face it, who doesn’t adore Stitch? Such a rascal, indeed!

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Mission Impossible 8 – The Final Reckoning (Possibly)

Get ready for another adrenaline-pumping adventure as Tom Cruise takes on the role of Ethan Hunt in what could potentially be the eighth and final installment of the Mission: Impossible series. Set to release on May 23, this action-packed movie might just save the summer blockbuster season.

In this latest mission, Ethan must stop a worldwide disaster while executing jaw-dropping stunts that only Tom Cruise can pull off. However, with Cruise turning 62 this year, it seems like we might be saying goodbye to the franchise. But let’s not forget, if this movie becomes another box office hit, we may find ourselves eagerly awaiting a ninth installment!

Karate Kid: Legends

Title Date: May 30

A potential sequel to “Karate Kid” might give me a swift karate kick! When a “Karate Kid” movie fails, it’s abysmal. But when they succeed, they shine brightly. The concept of reviving the film franchise with a sequel featuring Ralph Macchio as the new Mr. Miyagi and Jackie Chan reprising his role from the 2010 “Karate Kid” remake is intriguing. Will “Karate Kid: Legends” reach the same heights as the original film or the early seasons of “Cobra Kai”? If they strive for it with love, there’s a chance. (The action in the trailer appears promising.)

28 Years Later

Title Date: June 20

The creative minds behind the movie “28 Days Later”, specifically director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, are returning with a new installment titled “28 Years Later”. Although it’s arriving slightly earlier than expected (the first film hit theaters 23 years ago), given the current state of the world, it seems only fitting. The main cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. However, it’s rumored that original franchise star Cillian Murphy will make an appearance as well. And yes, hordes of fast zombies are back to give us another dose of terror! I can hardly wait to be scared out of my wits once more.

F1

In this passage, the release date for an F1 movie directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his thrilling action sequences, is on June 27. This film, starring Brad Pitt as a retired driver guiding a newcomer, has promising potential due to Kosinski’s previous successes.

June 27 marks the release of an F1 movie helmed by Joseph Kosinski, who is renowned for his exhilarating action sequences that helped surpass the original Top Gun in the action department. With Brad Pitt portraying a former driver coaching a young prodigy, this racing film by Kosinski appears to be quite promising.

Superman

Title Date: July 11

If you’ve had doubts about James Gunn, director of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Suicide Squad,” creating an authentic Superman film, the latest captivating trailer might have changed your mind. David Corenswet steps into the role of the Man of Steel, facing off against a new Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and longing for a new Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Although we’ve seen these characters on the big screen numerous times, there’s something fresh about this production – Krypto, the super dog, makes his first appearance on the silver screen, and he’s stealing the show!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

In July, the superhero movie scene is set to heat up with both Marvel and DC unveiling new adaptations of their iconic franchises. Two weeks following the release of “Superman”, Marvel will introduce its first MCU “Fantastic Four”. The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing. Notably, “First Steps” deviates slightly from the typical Marvel formula, as it is also a period piece, taking place in an alternate 1960s reminiscent of the era that marked the beginning of the Fantastic Four in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s original comics.

Naked Gun

According to me, no comedy series is held in higher regard than “The Naked Gun,” the riotous police parodies from David Zucker and the ZAZ team, featuring Leslie Nielsen as clumsy detective Frank Drebin. Hearing about a fresh take on this franchise without any of those individuals seemed questionable – until I learned that the new adaptation is directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his work with The Lonely Island and “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” and stars Liam Neeson as the new Drebin. Suddenly, it appears to be a brilliant concept.

Wicked: For Good

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must confess that while the second half of the “Wicked” Broadway show seems to lack the musical powerhouses like “Popular” or “Defying Gravity”, the anticipation for the unfolding drama between Elphaba, Glinda, and the Wizard of Oz is just too strong to resist. The success of the first film has left me yearning to uncover how their tales intertwine further.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Return to Pandora – Avatar 3 Announcement

It’s confirmed! The third installment of the Avatar series is set for release on December 19. This film promises to reveal a fresh corner of Pandora and introduce a new Na’vi tribe, known as the Ash People. (Perhaps Bruce Campbell could lend his motion-capture skills to one of these characters.) As always, expect groundbreaking visuals, pulse-pounding action, captivating characters, and, well, some rather eccentric font choices from writer/director James Cameron.

Marty Supreme

The Safdie brothers, who created the outstanding comic thriller “Uncut Gems” in 2019, are preparing for separate releases in 2025. Benny Safdie will direct his first solo feature film, titled “The Smashing Machine,” which is a biopic of MMA legend Mark Kerr and stars Dwayne Johnson. Meanwhile, Josh Safdie is working on a movie called “Marty Supreme” about a ping pong champion played by Timothée Chalamet. With two sports-themed movies coming from the Safdies in one year, 2025 promises to be an intriguing year for cinema enthusiasts.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Title Unveiled: The Third Adventure of Detective Benoit Blanc, starring on Netflix

Take note, the enigmatic date for the premiere remains undisclosed. However, solving the riddle is no easy feat!

The impressive lineup of potential culprits includes Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Josh O’Connor, Andrew Scott, Mila Kunis, and Glenn Close. The details of the central mystery have yet to be unveiled, although a hint is found in the title, which refers to an old U2 song from their “Pop” album. Could this time involve a murder at a disco? Stay tuned!

Frankenstein

In relation to Netflix, they will be premiering Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”. Del Toro has been eager to bring this horror masterpiece to life for over a decade, and it was Netflix that made this dream a reality. Oscar Isaac portrays Dr. Frankenstein in the film, while Jacob Elordi from “Euphoria” and “Saltburn” takes on the role of the monster. It promises to be an entertaining blend of horror elements.

2025-01-14 03:50