The Last of Us isn't out yet, but it's already inspired a fan-made web series. What Remains, a live-action web series, looks like it should be canon, even though it's being made by fans.
What makes What Remains interesting isn't simply that it's inspired by Naughty Dog's upcoming game, but that it literally looks incredible. Producer Manifest Film has clearly put a lot of time and energy into great equipment and make-up, which they didn't have to do to make an interesting series based on the game. While The Last of Us seems to be very focused on human interactions in a post-apocalyptic world, the web series, or at least the trailer, prominantly features the series' terrifying fungus-mutants.
Though What Remains does not appear to have any official connection to Last of Us developer Naughty Dog or Sony, Manifest clearly hopes that's going to change. The series' "about page" describes it as "both a marketing campaign by Naughty Dog to increase sales and awareness for the game title." At the same time, the site's main page describes the trailer as an "interactive pitch," implying that the series itself isn't actually an ad yet.
It should be, though. C'mon Naughty Dog, it's time to make somebody's dreams come true.
