HBO’s “The Last of Us” Based on the 2013 video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog, is a post-apocalyptic series. Set several decades after the destruction of modern civilization, it follows a smuggler named Joel who is tasked with escorting 14-year-old Ellie out of a despotic realm safe and sound.
What starts out as any other smuggling assignment for Joel soon turns into a life-threatening and life-changing journey as the two must depend on each other to survive against the ruthless monsters they encounter during their journey across the land.
Crafted for the film by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, Joel and Ellie’s brutal journey against zombies and monsters is also quite symbolic of their own demons that the two will face during their adventure, making it an even more engrossing watch.
In addition, the setting of a post-apocalyptic world against the backdrop of many locations is bound to raise questions about The Last of Us actual filming locations.
Where Was The Last of Us Series Filmed?
The Last of Us is filming in Alberta and Missouri, mainly in the metropolitan areas of Calgary and Edmonton, Canmore, Fort Macleod, Olds, Waterton Park, Nanton, Lethbridge, Bragg Creek, Grande Prairie, Stoney Nakoda Nation, Kananaskis Country, Kansas City. According to reports, principal photography for the initial iteration of the thriller series began in July 2021 and will wrap up in June 2022.
In October 2022, the crew briefly returned to work on additional photos for the debut season. Additionally, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic at the time of production, the cast and crew were quarantined for two weeks after entering Canada.
Alberta
Major parts of “The Last of Us” takes place in the Calgary Metropolitan Region, or simply the Calgary Region, a conglomeration of municipalities centered on the city of the same name. The region is said to represent several locations, including Boston, Kansas City, and Jakarta. In order to shoot scenes set at the fictional University of Eastern Colorado, the production team will set up camp at Mount Royal University at 4825 Mount Royal Gate Southwest and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology at 1301 16 Avenue Northwest, both in Calgary.
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To find the autumn atmosphere, they added the right amount of leaves to the campuses and even had to remove snow from SAIT. Many important scenes are also recorded near Stampede Park at 650 25 Avenue Southeast in Calgary, as three blocks were built in the area to represent the Boston Quarantine Zone where Joel and Ellie first meet.
The crew negotiated with the city for about six to eight weeks to close the 4th Avenue Flyover and managed to shoot key sequences for the first season on location for about a week in October 2021.
Various other locations are used to film the series, including Lord Shaughnessy High School at 2336 53 Avenue Southwest, Northland Village Mall at 5111 Northland Drive Northwest #440, Stephen Avenue, the Beltline, Memorial Drive, around the Globe Cinema at 617 8 Avenue Southwest and 1st Street between 11th Avenue and 13th Avenue Southwest, all in the city of Calgary.
Additionally, the series also features the YYC Calgary International Airport Trail Tunnel, Kensington, Victoria Park, and the Calgary Courts Center at 601 5 Street Southwest.
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An action scene in Season 1 involving explosive shootouts and hordes of zombies was recorded using the Calgary Film Center facility at 5750 76 Avenue Southeast #10. The film studio is home to three purpose-built sound stages, massive storage areas, and three multi-purpose workshops.
All these advantages make it a suitable filming location for various kinds of productions. The film crew also created a hospital in the city of Calgary to recreate the ending sequence of the first game.
Several locations in Okotoks and High River also appear in “The Last of Us.” To be specific, the cast and crew set up camp at 500 Suntree Place between Robinson Drive and 29 Suntree Lane in Okotoks and High Rivers. Beachwood Estates neighborhood.
They reportedly paid CA$100,000 in community funding and returned CA$15,000 to the city to get permission to get rid of three trees in the Beachwood area.
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A significant part of “The Last of Us” is filmed in the metropolitan area of Edmonton AKA Greater Edmonton or Metro Edmonton, a conglomeration of municipalities centered on the city of the same name. The production team decorates the Alberta Legislature building at 10800 97 Avenue Northwest in Edmonton with vines and greenery for certain scenes in The Last of Us series.
In October 2021, cast and crew members were spotted filming key scenes in and around Rice Howard Way in downtown Edmonton, representing a post-apocalyptic Boston.
In addition to building a large crater in front of a nearby Italian restaurant and a green screen for the panorama, they also turned a local store into a ruined salon and took permission from another to have a stuntman fly through the front window of their store.
Additionally, 107 Street from 96 Avenue to 97 Avenue, 108 Street between Jasper Avenue and 100 Avenue, and 104 Street, south of 102 Avenue to the north of Jasper Avenue, are also featured in the show.
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In order to replicate the location of Tommy’s community in the game, which is in Jackson, Wyoming, The Last of Us film crew uses the location of Canmore, a city located 50 miles west of Calgary. They reportedly used approximately 300 extras and numerous horses to obtain the required footage for the series.
A number of local locations can be seen in various scenes, including the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall parking lot at 738 7 Street, the Canmore Engine Bridge, the 800 block of Main Street, and the 800 block of 14 Street.
For filming purposes, the production team travels to several other locations around Alberta, one of which is Fort Macleod. They primarily set up camp in the Mainstreet area, where they changed the storefronts and placed police cars with Austin, Texas license plates to fit the scenes in The Last of Us show.
In addition, flags and other props and lighting are also placed in the center of the city. Unlike the other shops, Don’s Barber Shop at 2316 2 Avenue was able to keep its original name and look for its debut season.
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The town of Olds is another key filming location for The Last of Us. A mural was painted in late May and early June 2022 that was originally intended to be removed after the shooting but was later approved to remain in place. Several key portions for The Last of Us Season 1 were shot around Olds Electric & Lighting Ltd at 6319 Imperial Way (requested to remove signs for filming), 51st Street, and in the alleys between 51st Street and 52nd Street.
In February 2022, The Last of Us film crew was spotted at Waterton Lakes National Park filming important scenes for the show’s debut season, as vehicles with Colorado license plates were present on set.
There are a number of other places in Alberta featured in the show, including Nanton, Lethbridge, Bragg Creek, Grande Prairie, Stoney Nakoda Nation, and Kananaskis Country.
Missouri
Other parts of “The Last of Us” are set in and around Kansas City, Missouri’s largest city by both population and area.
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Its locations are mainly used to represent Pittsburgh. Additional photography for the inaugural iteration took place on Interstate 435 in Kansas City, both in the states of Kansas and Missouri.
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