The Last of Us: Why a Bill and Frank Prequel Isn't Viable

The Tease of a Potential Prequel

The Last of Us star Nick Offerman, known for his role as Bill in the HBO series, recently teased journalists with the idea of a potential Bill and Frank spinoff prequel. This sparked excitement among fans, but their skepticism was quick to follow. The game heavily implied that Frank, who was dead by the time Joel reaches this chapter, was Bill's partner, but the show took their story in a more narrowed, in-depth direction. The Last of Us show co-creator Craig Mazin wanted to expand and give more life to Bill and Frank's original story, resulting in episode 3 of season 1, titled 'Long, Long Time,' which focuses mainly on their relationship in the 20 years from the start of the apocalypse to the time Joel and Ellie reach their town. Despite the potential for a prequel, fans were skeptical about its viability.

The Last of Us show co-creator Craig Mazin wanted to expand and give more life to Bill and Frank's original story, resulting in episode 3 of season 1, titled 'Long, Long Time,' which focuses mainly on their relationship in the 20 years from the start of the apocalypse to the time Joel and Ellie reach their town. Though The Last of Us series changed Bill and Frank's story, the episode resonated deeply with the fans, partly thanks to the actors' beautiful portrayals. Upon accepting an Emmy award for his performance in The Last of Us, Offerman responded to a press junket question about the potential return of Bill and Frank in any flashbacks for the upcoming season.

After joking that the question is meant for someone with a higher pay grade, he said the idea was pitched. Many commenters took to the subreddit r/ThelastofusHBOseries to clarify that Offerman was joking, with the tweet sounding misleading. Fans can agree that a prequel isn't needed, believing it would bloat and cheapen an already perfect encapsulated story.

Twitter article posted by Deadline Hollywood

The Fans' Skepticism

The Last of Us changed Bill and Frank's story for the better, tightly telling their story in full without them overstaying their welcome with too many details that construe from the show's overall arc. Fans think there's not enough material worth dragging the characters' plots out into a season's length. Some say that if a prequel did happen, they'd watch anyway, though the possibility of seeing the pair going on 'adventures of the week' seems unnecessary. The fandom, Hollywood, and critics may enjoy Offerman's take on the character, but the fact that a prequel would ruin the whole point of the episode seems to be a major consensus. However, this doesn't rule out the total desire for a spinoff series set in The Last of Us universe. If one had the greatest potential to ease skepticism, fans look to the 20 years before the show's events, showing a younger Joel, Tess, and his brother Tommy. Gamers were interested in their past possibly being explored. However, many fans believe it's better left ambiguous.

If The Last of Us season 2 is as successful and pulls off the storytelling, the TV format could be a suitable medium to explore their background adequately as a complementary story, and this would even give Offerman the chance to return as Bill in the capacity of cameos. In the meantime, viewers can return to The Last of Us season 1 on Max while filming for season two is underway or pick up a copy of the game to see how Bill's story plays out for themselves.

The Viability of a Prequel

The potential for a prequel in The Last of Us series has sparked discussions among fans, Hollywood, and critics. While there is a desire for a spinoff series set in The Last of Us universe, the skepticism regarding a Bill and Frank prequel remains. Many fans believe that a prequel would bloat and cheapen an already perfect encapsulated story. The consensus seems to be that a prequel would ruin the whole point of the episode. However, the possibility of exploring the 20 years before the show's events, showing a younger Joel, Tess, and his brother Tommy, has piqued interest among fans and gamers. Despite the skepticism, if The Last of Us season 2 is as successful and pulls off the storytelling, the TV format could be a suitable medium to explore their background adequately as a complementary story, and this would even give Offerman the chance to return as Bill in the capacity of cameos.