Hey there Last of Us lovers and anyone who believes in making entertainment accessible to everyone! Guess what? Max is doing something seriously awesome. They are releasing American Sign Language (ASL) versions of the hit show 'The Last of Us' and it is a game-changer for Deaf viewers.
'The Last of Us' Season 1 & 2 Getting the ASL Treatment: What You Need to Know
Yep you heard right. Both Season 1 and the upcoming Season 2 of 'The Last of Us' will be available on Max with dedicated ASL performances . This is a first for HBO original series and it is a huge step forward for inclusivity in streaming. Daniel Durant you might know him from 'CODA' and 'Dancing With the Stars' is the ASL performer for Season 1. He is signing the entire season to bring the story to life for Deaf audiences in a whole new way.
And it gets even better! For Season 2 which everyone is hyped for the ASL version will be available right when the regular episodes drop on April 13th. No waiting around! Durant is back for Season 2 and this time he is joined by accessibility advocate Leila Hanaumi. Hanaumi actually directed Durant's ASL performance this season and she knows a thing or two about making content accessible as she did the ASL version of 'Barbie' for Max too.
You will be able to find these ASL versions as separate titles on Max. Season 1 ASL drops on March 31st so you have plenty of time to catch up before Season 2 arrives.
More Than Just Subtitles: Why an ASL Version Makes a Huge Difference
You might be thinking "Wait can't Deaf viewers just use subtitles?". Sure subtitles are helpful but an ASL version is a whole different ballgame. Daniel Durant explained it perfectly. Captions are always based on English grammar. Having a Deaf interpreter on screen using ASL makes the message way clearer and deeper for Deaf viewers. It is like getting the story told in their first language visually.
Hanaumi pointed out that language deprivation is a real thing in the Deaf community. Many Deaf individuals do not have the same early access to language as hearing people do. ASL versions bridge that gap and offer a truly authentic and accessible experience. It is not just about understanding the plot its about experiencing the story in a way that resonates on a deeper level.
Meticulous Production: How Max is Making ASL Versions Seamless and Engaging
Creating these ASL versions is not just slapping some signing on the screen. It is a detailed process. When you watch 'The Last of Us' ASL you will see Daniel Durant seamlessly integrated into the frame. He's not stuck in a tiny picture-in-picture box. He is right there next to the action wearing a neutral black shirt to keep the focus on the show itself.
The team behind this is really going the extra mile. They are carefully editing Durant's performance to make it flow naturally with the show. They even made sure his body movements are smooth and consistent. Hanaumi as director is working closely with Durant to choose the best ASL signs to capture all the nuances and emotions of the story. They even created some new signs specifically for "The Last of Us" world like a special sign for "Infected" that visually represents the fungus and the clickers.
Durant is doing some serious acting work too. He is not just translating words he is embodying the characters body language and emotions all in sign language. He even does "role shifting" to portray different characters in a scene switching his body position to show who is talking. It's a performance in itself and a real art form.
Max Leads the Way in Accessibility: Beyond 'The Last of Us'
Max is really stepping up its game when it comes to accessibility. 'The Last of Us' ASL is not the first time they have done this. They have already released ASL versions of movies like 'Barbie' 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' and 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'. But making an HBO original series accessible like this is a new milestone. Naomi Waibel SVP of Global Product Management at Warner Bros. Discovery said they are "thrilled to expand our ASL program" and are committed to "offering an inclusive streaming experience."
Daniel Durant hopes other studios will follow Max's lead and make accessibility a priority. He points out that Deaf representation in lead roles is still rare and there is more work to be done in Hollywood to be truly inclusive. But initiatives like this are a positive step and hopefully signal a bigger change in the entertainment industry.
Key Things to Know About 'The Last of Us' ASL Version on Max:
- ASL Versions for Season 1 & 2: Both seasons of 'The Last of Us' will be available with American Sign Language interpretation.
- Daniel Durant as ASL Performer: Durant from 'CODA' interprets Season 1 and co-performs Season 2.
- Leila Hanaumi Directs: Accessibility advocate Leila Hanaumi directs ASL performances for Season 2.
- Standalone Titles on Max: ASL versions will be separate from the regular show on Max for easy access.
- Season 1 ASL Release: Available March 31st on Max.
- Season 2 ASL Release: Day-and-date with regular episodes starting April 13th.
- Seamless Integration: ASL performer is seamlessly edited into the show frame not as a small box.
- Focus on Accessibility and Inclusivity: Max is making a clear commitment to providing accessible content for Deaf viewers.