FIKSI.NET — When the video game I love, The Last of Us (TLOU), has been adapted into a television series by HBO and I heard they are going to have 4 seasons for it. People praised the first season, even though beforehand they dissed the cast of the series for the two main characters, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, and Pedro Pascal as Joel.
At first, I didn't want to comment, but I think, the hate from toxic fanbase of this game towards Bella Ramsey in Season 2 is very unnecessary. To put it simply, if you don't like the show, don't watch it. Easy, right? But some people, they just can't let go, I think.
Here are some arguments on why they hate or dislike Bella Ramsey playing as Ellie in TLOU Series:
- They don't like Bella because Bella doesn't look enough like Ellie. I've heard it a lot and they also make cruel memes about her for it.
- Despite Bella's real age, which is 21 years old, they feel like Bella has the baby face that can't convinced them enough, since Ellie in TLOU Season 2 is 19 years old, and Bella just doesn't look like she could pull it off, especially for Ellie's fierce looks.
- This last one is perhaps the silliest, they feel like Bella is not beautiful enough as Ellie. (this one is just too mean)
Obviously, this article is going to be very biased. I like Bella Ramsey as an actress. She's good. I still remember when I first saw her in Game of Thrones, and I'm happy to see her play as my favorite video game character, Ellie.
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| Bella Ramsey as Lady Mormont in Game of Thrones |
I think, Bella was only 11 years old or something when she filmed Game of Thrones as Lady Lyanna Mormont. She was so badass, and Lyanna Mormont instantly became one of my favorite characters in the show. I never read the novel, but I think her performance was so convincing and I love it.
In terms of Bella Ramsey likeness to Ellie, well... surely, I will be happy to see an actress that reassembles Ellie fully and give us the best performance. BUT! Ellie's likeness in the game is partly taken from the likeness of the voice actress, Ashley Johnson. And I can see the similarities between Ashley Johnson and Bella Ramsey. Yes, Bella who ends up playing as Ellie in the series for Season 1 and 2.
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| Ashley Johnson (left) the voice actress for Ellie in TLOU game also played as Ellie's mother, Anna, in TLOU Series. Bella Ramsey (right) played as Ellie in TLOU Series. |
For me, Bella and Ashley looks like mother and daughter. Maybe it's just me.
In terms of Ellie's fierceness, I do think Bella would need to work hard on her expression for it. She does good at portraying Ellie's goofiness and playfulness. But the second season certainly will demand more of her to portray Ellie's anger, the thirst for vengeance.
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| Bella Ramsey (left) as Ellie Williams (right). |
I think it's still too soon for hate. We still have a lot more episode to come, and I think the writers of the show made some changes to the story. We who played the game noticed it already. As an audience who have played and love the game, I will look forward to the next episodes and the next seasons to come. At some point, I hope Bella will proves them wrong, that she could pull off the character as we are hoping for.
To end this article, I just want to say that you don't have to watch this series or play the game if you don't like it. Let it go. Let the people who likes it watches it. I mean... whatever, let people have some fun in this already bleak world. Since when do liking something becomes so controversial? I don't understand. No need to overly trashing on this franchise. I understand the criticism, but we also have the right to our positive experience with The Last of Us, as a game or as a live-action adaptation.
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