"It's a different version of that story, but its DNA is in there."

The Last Of Us Season 2 Is A "Different Version" Of The Game's Story, Matrix Actor Joins Cast

"It's a different version of that story, but its DNA is in there."

Before this, Mazin alluded to The Last of Us Season 2 departing from the game's story in a big way, saying he expects a level of "furor" over what's changed. What those changes are, however, remains to be seen.

Also in the interview, Mazin said it was always the plan to have Season 2 split the events of The Last of Us: Part II and tell the game's story across two seasons. But how long could the show run in total?

"It feels like we've got one or two more seasons," Mazin said. "It's getting harder to make, because every episode gets big. You don't want to wait four years for a 17-episode finish, or whatever it is."

In February, a top HBO boss said The Last of Us could end after four seasons. The showrunners also previously discussed how The Last of Us TV series will not go beyond the events of the games, which some took to mean a potential future season of the show could dig into the story of a possible future The Last of Us: Part III game. But Druckmann said in the Variety interview, "Don't bet on there being more of The Last of Us" after the TV show wraps up.

Before this, Druckmann said he had ideas for a third game, but of course, plans can always change. Naughty Dog is producing a new single-player game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and at least one other single-player game. Whatever that second game is remains a mystery.

Finally, Variety reported that actor Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, The Matrix) plays the character Eugene in The last of Us Season 2. This character was only referenced in the game and never seen, but the TV show writers brought him to life for Season 2.

"I get excited when I see these opportunities," Druckmann said. "I'm like, 'Oh, I don’t know Eugene that well!' The story we told [in the game] was somewhat superficial. The way this character comes in really gets to the heart of Joel and Ellie and their relationship."

Others joining the cast for Season 2 include Alanna Ubach (Hanrahan; original character for the series), Ben Ahlers (Burton; original character for the series), Hettienne Park (Elise Park; original character for the series), Robert John Burke (Seth), and Noah Lamanna (Kat).

The Last of Us Season 2 debuts April 13 and will have seven episodes in all. Assuming one episode releases each Sunday, Season 2 will wrap up on May 25.

Season 2 picks up five years after the events of the first season, with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) "drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind."

In addition to Pascal and Ramsey--and Kaitlyn Dever as Abby--Season 2 features Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Own, and Jeffrey Wright reprising his role from the game as Isaac. Catherine O'Hara will appear as Joel's therapist.

As for the game series, The Last of Us Part II Remastered comes to PC on April 3, just before Season 2 of the show debuts.

The Last Of Us Season 2 Release Window, Cast, And Why Creators Think Fans Will Be Furious