Troy Baker: The Last of Us Part 2's Final Scene Was Scripted as a Prequel
Troy Baker says the game's last Joel and Ellie conversation was originally meant to play before the main events, and that Ashley Johnson declined a scripted hug.
Troy Baker said in a Party Chat interview that the final Joel and Ellie conversation in The Last of Us Part 2 was originally scripted to play before the game's main events rather than at the end. Baker added that he had no idea the scene would be placed at the very end of the game until afterwards.
Baker also said that Neil Druckmann had originally scripted Ellie hugging Joel, but Ashley Johnson said she could not do it, and the hug was left out.
The scene, which closes The Last of Us Part 2, is a quiet exchange between Joel and Ellie. In the game's story, Joel is murdered by Abby; in the first The Last of Us, Joel saves Ellie from scientists trying to sacrifice her, dashing hopes for a vaccine.
Baker's comments were reported by GamesRadar.
Quick answers
Where was The Last of Us Part 2's final Joel and Ellie scene originally meant to appear?
Troy Baker said it was originally scripted to play before the game's main events.
Why was the hug removed from The Last of Us Part 2's final scene?
Baker said Neil Druckmann originally scripted Ellie hugging Joel, but Ashley Johnson said she could not do it, so the hug was left out.