Laura Bailey, the actress portraying Abby in The Last of Us Part 2, initially planned to undergo physical training for the demanding role of the revenge-driven character. However, her plans took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was expecting a child.
Naughty Dog, the game’s developer, recently unveiled a documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at the controversial action-horror sequel. The documentary delves into Abby’s character development and explores how the team shaped her into the formidable figure she became.
A recurring topic in the discussion is Abby’s muscular physique, a departure from the typical portrayal of heroines in video games, including series protagonist Ellie.
According to director Neil Druckmann, Abby’s character underwent an evolution. Concept art initially depicted her differently from the final design, and the decision to make her muscular and broad was a fresh and innovative choice.
Druckmann mentions in the documentary, around the 35-minute mark, that Abby intended to reflect Joel’s movements while contrasting with Ellie’s moveset. To achieve this, the team created a distinct moveset, skill tree, and combat animations for the new playable character in the sequel.
In an effort to authentically convey the updated animations and robust build, Druckmann suggested to Laura Bailey that she match Abby’s physique. Bailey recalled the director telling her, “You should probably beef up if you’re going to play her,” leading her to engage in intense training and deadlifting. However, her commitment to physical preparation faced a unique challenge when she discovered her pregnancy. She humorously remarked, “And then I got pregnant. Eh, what are you gonna do?”
The documentary also unveils that the sequel was initially conceived as a Bloodborne-inspired open-world adventure. Additionally, Naughty Dog openly discussed its history with crunch culture, expressing a commitment to change and a departure from past practices.
