Ben-DutkaI have to say, Ghost Volta has the right idea.
A few days ago, well-known actress Ellen Page said Naughty Dog "ripped off her likeness" when creating the character of Ellie in The Last Of Us . The developer denies that, saying they "didn't see it" until after releasing the debut trailer. Fact is, it was Ashley Johnson all along, and the team tried to implement even more of Johnson's characteristics into Ellie.
But even so, Ellen Page appears to be getting all the attention…and for a game she didn't even do. I'm sure she'll get the proper amount of acclaim when Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls launches this October. But for the time being, it really does seem as if Johnson's spectacular performance as Ellie is getting lost in the shuffle. In our review of Naughty Dog's absolute masterpiece, we said it boasted "some of the best acting interactive entertainment has ever seen." We don't make such statements lightly, and that holds true due in large part to Johnson's role. It was absolutely critical.
Read more about her role through the link above; she obviously put a ton of work into it, and it's impossible to imagine that memorable adventure without her. Ellie is not only likable but perhaps more importantly, she's believable. She has exactly the right personality; a personality you would expect from a girl in a post-apocalyptic world where death is always a distinct possibility. It's difficult to get that just right. As an actor, I imagine it'd be all too easy to sound either too vulnerable or too "punk"-ish. Johnson walks the line beautifully and we end up with one of the best new characters in gaming. We won't forget Ellie any time soon.
So, let's just ignore this whole Ellen Page snafu and give credit where credit's due, shall we?
Related Game(s): The Last Of Us
Ashley Johnson as Ellie was phenomenal, which is what's irritating about Ellen Page's comments. It's Ashley's voice, face, and mannerisms that create Ellie as an individual, not an Ellen offshoot.
Now we can see the dual-edged blade of actor's likenesses in games. Hopefully 4 months from now I can play Beyond and not grimace at the sight of Page.
She look more like ellen page then the actress playing her , so it s warranted in my book .
Ellen Page doesn't have the patent on regular looking teenage girls. Besides, somebody posted a comparison picture somewhere the other day, can't remember where, but it was a picture of the girl who played Punky Brewster back in the day. I thought there was actually more resemblance to her than Ellen Page. Either way, Naughty Dog had Ashley Johnson out there for a lot of interviews and panel discussions between the time The Last of Us was announced and when it released. It's not their fault people don't pay attention. And the fact the talk has now gone from how awesome the game is, to this, is very unfair to all the people who put a lot of time and effort into bringing us a phenomenal experience.
Last edited by Gamer46 on 6/26/2013 12:10:22 AM
Here we go again for round 2. :/
I think the article has a good potent point though.
Who cares except that it was done extremely well.
And last I checked, people have a right to be upset whether we agree with them or not. So let Ellen deal with it the way she wants to. If it holds water, that will be made known. If not, this whole issue will just die off.
Let it be, dear friends. Let it be.
@Underdog
Just to clarify your logic, Ellen has the right to be upset and comment, but nobody else does?
LOL! no… I don't see how you could possibly think that's what I said when you read the words I wrote in the order I wrote them…
Can you point out which opinion I said people aren't allowed to have?
I'm saying that opinions aside, it's best to let this one die.
I have an opinion on what's going on, but I'm saying the best thing for me to do is to have my opinion and move on. No one stands to benefit from either side of this fence. Only Ashley Johnson stands to lose anything at all in drawing attention away from her. So I'm saying that the article got it right in saying Johnson's performance was well done, and that should be the focus.
In other words, I said the discussion should be about Johnson. Not once in any way did I say no one could have an opinion. You are right in saying I said Ellen has the right to be upset and have her opinion. But my point in addition to that is… as I said… yabut Ashley was awesome, let's focus on that… let the Ellen debate die. She had her say, Naughty Dog clarified their intent… and now everyone knows Ellen's game isn't this one… lets move on.
Whether Ellen has a point or not is a destructive argument. Not once did I say no one else can have an opinion. I really have no idea how you could have read that.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/26/2013 5:48:30 PM
I'd like to see Ellen Page give Ashley Johnson some proper props after that original comment, I'm willing to give Page the benefit of the doubt that there wasn't any malice in her comment because it's easy to say something off the cuff that seems snobbish but if she's going to be in the gaming business she will need a thicker skin.
I only just recently met Ellie in TLoU (haven't have much time to play).
It only gets better from there World.
Much better!
She has:
https://twitter.com/EllenPage/status/348913069625327616
Well that twitter implies two things:
1. Ellie from TLoU still confuses people that she's based off Ellen Page.
2. Ellen Page isn't being a total douche by giving Ashley Johnson proper props.
In short, let's all move on.
interview with Ashley Johnson if you really wanna watch it starts around 7:30 mark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-7lyDEUB8A
As I said in the other article about this, I love Ashley Johnson, it was a shame she had a small role in The Killing. Her personality is sweet and she pulled off this role like no other. Sadly it seems this type of news will just be dragged on and on. 🙁
It could all go away if Sony's PR team would do something about it. You'd think they would've at this point because one of the best games and top developers in the market are getting dragged through the mud.
Except that this article is about Johnsons achievement, in the role as Ellie.
I agree Big, this article should be all about Johnson's amazing performance as Ellie, 'cept this was included so it rages the debate on and on:
"A few days ago, well-known actress Ellen Page said Naughty Dog "ripped off her likeness" when creating the character of Ellie in The Last Of Us. The developer denies that, saying they "didn't see it" until after releasing the debut trailer. Fact is, it was Ashley Johnson all along, and the team tried to implement even more of Johnson's characteristics into Ellie."
We see what we want to see. If I stare at Ashley`s picture long enough I`ll start to see a resemblance. Im the Devs on this part though! I didnt see the resemblance when Ellie first debuted and I only see it after reading an article about it.
The performance by Johnson was amazing, she did the part better than anyone could have I believe because I dont know how it could have been done better.
But we must not forget about Joels voice actor. To me Joel was done so well. His character has so much emotion its unreal. You hear everything hes gone through, through his voice. Job well done!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 6/26/2013 12:28:04 AM
Troy Baker surely has come into his own with his voice acting. He's not even old and has a great voice. The way he pulled off Joel's voice and gave it a southern accent was superb. I was convinced most of the time that it wasn't even Troy Baker. Love him since Persona 4 as Kanji and everything he's done since. I'm glad ND chose him and Ashley Johnson.
I like the work Troy Baker's done so far this year. He was the perfect choice for Joel but I thought he also played the role of Booker in Bioshock: Infinite very well. Definitely two of my favorite new characters.
Also, want to say I thought Nolan North did a great job as David. Maybe I missed some pre-release news announcing it but I didn't even know he was in the game until the credits rolled.
Last edited by Gamer46 on 6/26/2013 12:51:29 AM
This kind of article is precisely why I love this site!
Wow! To go from (in my book) What Women Want to The Last of Us!? Quite an achievement. She should become more active in the video game world.
shes actually looking to be an actress, she was in the Avenger
i'm a lone wolf, never liked having companions in games.
but ellie was different, it was'nt that she could hold her own.
it was the emotinal attachement from the great voice acting
job that Ashley Johnson did.
Regardless of who the character is similar to, the performances were top notch. As were all the actors from the first to the last chapter. Even the voices/noises of the infected. When you hear that shrill… panic button.
I have heard mixed reviews of the game and its ending, but whether the game wowed you or was okay, you have to admit the production value was at its height here. It was a good game.
I am sure some would say this genre or the theme of the game would make a great open world. Well the game did feel a bit like RDR, but not sure people, or me, would want to spend hours just roaming around the land looking for side missions. Who knows. I am sure someone will do it with zombies or the like.
Anyway, thumbs up to Naughty Dog and all those involved. Nice last game from you to the gamers on the PS3. Don't make sequel. The game is perfect where it is. Although I am sure the DLC is sure to follow soon.
Keep Playing!
I tell you what I see about the similarity between 'Ellie' & 'Ellen' is : It's the hair style! And that is all! So someone should tell 'Page' that she's not on the right page in this instance! LOL
finally got to watch the making of video last night, it was really cool seeing the live acting mocap studio and suits, and they had heaps of interviews with the actors.
one area the last of us really is second to none, it was so impressive seeing the anger in joles eyes when they have that crash and the guys trying to smash his head into the glass, its like hes eyes just snapped!
I think a lot of the confusion out there, especially in the non-gaming community. People may have heard that Ellen Page was going to be in a game for the Playstation, they saw the television ads, see a resemblance and think "that's the game".
Also thinking that some credit should be given to Gustavo Santaolalla who did all the music for The Last of Us. Looked up the soundtrack on Music Unlimited last night and listening to it is haunting and really brought me back right into the game. I'm really hoping that "The Last of Us" (the song) is at least nominated for best song the soundtrack get's nominated for best original score at the VGA's.
It should make a clean sweep. Its just pure quality all the way around. It would be hard to expect anything better.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 6/26/2013 11:27:21 AM
I think Ellen might be missing the link here for gamers. If she wants to be accepted lovingly into the PS exclusive "family" she shouldn't go around slamming a very popular family member in Naughty Dog.
It's as if her comments sees ND and TLOU as a competitor to QD and Beyond. When much of the same fans will be getting both games.
For the record, I think the original Ellie did look a little like Page, but after the redesign, and certainly after seeing her in game with Johnson's acting, Ellie is of her own to me and does not remind me of Page.
That said, I've always been rather against using big name actors in games (maybe here is an example of why). But I never wanted to see a known face in a game, but rather the creation of the devs imagination. The reason I've pre-ordered Beyond is due to QD and Cage (and how much I enjoyed Heavy Rain), not due to Page and Dafoe. In fact, their inclusion actually brings it down a small notch in my book.
I'd rather lesser known actors/actresses get to show their stuff in voice and mocap in our games rather than looking to Hollywood to supply big "talent".
I dont mind known actors playing parts, and sometimes its fun to see them portrayed in games. But certainly Dafoe and Page are of no matter when Im making my decision to purchase this game. Im basing it off of the quality. I could care less whos voicing the part as long as its quality.
I think ashley johnson was amazing as ellie, for me she was the true star of TLOU
Damn right. I'm sure Ellen Page feels like her likeness was ripped off without her consent, but honestly, she doesn't have a patent on that voice range/style, and Ellie really didn't look THAT much like ellen page. I'd say they could perhaps be seen as the same "type" of girl/woman, but not the same actual person.
Ashley Johnson did indeed strike the PERFECT balance between vulnerability and, as Ben notes, "punk"ishness. I was worried she was going to be a cocky brat. Not so at ALL. I love that character so much.
The more I keep playing the game the more she stops looking like page. They have similarities but you could say that about a lot of game characters. She needs to get over herself, she does look like Ashley Johnson too.