The Ultimate Connection: Unveiling Shocking Ties Between Daryl Dixon and The Last of Us That Rewrite Walking Dead's Legacy

Summary

"The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" spin-off is highly reminiscent of "The Last of Us," as it follows the trend of the franchise drawing inspiration from other well-known zombie narratives.

Greg Nicotero's excuse that they were already well into production when "The Last of Us" premiered doesn't hold water, considering the game has been in existence for ten years.

Although there are some similarities between "Daryl Dixon" and "The Last of Us," the spin-off unfolds in Paris, providing a distinct backdrop. Additionally, as Daryl traverses the zombie-infested city, he will gradually reveal his personal history.

The upcoming spin-off series, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, bears a suspicious resemblance to The Last of Us. This is not the first instance where The Walking Dead has been accused of copying another well-known zombie narrative and using ignorance as a defense. The story of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon takes place after the main show's final episode, where Daryl finds himself washed ashore in France, the birthplace of the zombie outbreak. His mission is to protect a young girl, who may hold the key to finding a cure for the zombie virus and saving humanity, as they navigate through a post-apocalyptic wasteland, much like Joel in The Last of Us.

Greg Nicotero, the executive producer, expressed surprise (via Entertainment Weekly) when The Last of Us premiered and revealed a strikingly similar premise to The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Nicotero claimed that they were already heavily invested in the production of Daryl's spin-off when The Last of Us was released. However, this explanation is not entirely convincing and echoes Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman's defense when the comic was criticized for sharing similarities with another popular zombie story.

Daryl Dixon's The Last Of Us Similarity Repeats TWD & 28 Days Later

Why Walking Dead's Copycat Excuse Doesn't Work

: The Walking Dead has often been accused of resembling other zombie stories to the point of plagiarism. Both the comic and TV adaptation of The Walking Dead begin with protagonist Rick Grimes waking up in a desolate hospital long after the zombie apocalypse has begun. This eerie, empty setting is identical to the opening scene of the movie 28 Days Later. When questioned about this similarity, creator Robert Kirkman claimed he had not seen 28 Days Later until after The Walking Dead was already published. The similarities between Daryl Dixon and The Last of Us only further reinforce the pattern of The Walking Dead borrowing from its predecessors.

Kirkman’s excuse might be valid as 28 Days Later was not released in U.S. theaters until just a few months before The Walking Dead's first issue was published. However, Nicotero's excuse does not hold weight. He claimed that Daryl Dixon was already being developed when The Last of Us premiered on HBO, but The Last of Us had been in video game format for a decade prior to its television adaptation. The creators of Daryl Dixon had ample time to familiarize themselves with one of the most highly acclaimed and iconic video games ever made before commencing work on the spin-off.

How Daryl Dixon's Walking Dead Spinoff Is Different From The Last Of Us

In essence, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon may appear to be similar to The Last of Us. Both depict a tough protagonist navigating a zombified world, entrusted with escorting a significant child who holds the potential to rescue humanity. However, there are key distinctions that distinguish Daryl Dixon's story. Unlike The Last of Us, which unfolds throughout the United States, this spin-off of The Walking Dead is situated in the contrasting setting of Paris. Moreover, while Joel possesses knowledge of his origins, Daryl's past will gradually unravel as he ventures through a zombie-infested France.