The Last of Us Bloater Returns Bigger, Fiercer, and Surprisingly More Menacing Than Ever!

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Warning: This article reveals plot points from the second episode of Season 2 of “The Last of Us,” currently available on Max.

The bloater is back and better than ever!

In the intense battle on Sunday night during the Jackson confrontation, the massive and menacing infected creature from “The Last of Us” reappeared – this was the same beast we encountered in Season 1. Tommy (Gabriel Luna), armed with a struggling flamethrower, faced off against this colossal threat. Despite Tommy’s victory, the bloater wreaked havoc on the settlement and its inhabitants before meeting its fiery end. The oversized clicker was initially glimpsed in Episode 5 of Season 1, but the bloater in Season 2 might have a slightly altered appearance.

In the first season, a tall stuntman standing at 6 feet 6 inches wore an 80-pound slime suit to portray the character of the bloater. However, for that particular episode, his performance was replaced with computer-generated imagery (CGI). For Season 2, VFX supervisor Alex Wang and his team began crafting a new CGI bloater from the very first day.

In the first season, a 6’6″ stuntman wore an 80-pound slime suit to play the bloater on set, but for that specific episode, his performance was digitally recreated using CGI. For Season 2, VFX supervisor Alex Wang and his team started designing a new CGI bloater from day one.

He mentioned that having extra time allowed us to refine, comprehend, and enhance the design of the bloater. We aimed to modify its appearance minimally, but it was crucial to give it an update and ensure viewers recognized this wasn’t the Season 1 bloater. To make him appear larger and taller, we revamped his crown since we realized the silhouette of the bloater is vital. The head shape and the way Cordyceps sprouts create a crown-like appearance on its head, which adds to its menacing and regal image for us.

The strange Cordyceps beast bursts through the barrier known as the Jackson wall, followed by hordes of clickers and runners who storm into the town, with Tommy encountering it later on. A creature typically sluggish and cumbersome, the bloater, becomes swift and panicked upon being hit by flames from Tommy’s weapon, revealing its fungus-covered body.

Wang pointed out that large animals, such as alligators, often appear slow and lethargic, but they can surprisingly quicken their pace in dangerous situations, like when cornered or attacking. This is what we aimed to portray with the bloater’s motion. While he may seem sluggish due to his massive size, if necessary, he can move swiftly. The terrifying aspect of the bloater comes from this hidden speed. We wanted to convey that he’s not just a lumbering creature; even though he weighs over 600 pounds, if he needs to escape or defend himself, he will do so at great speed. As the bloater was being tormented by the flamethrower, he felt threatened and this triggered desperation. We wanted to depict what a bloater looks like when it’s in pain from burning – we went through numerous iterations of animations, starting with slow movements and gradually increasing speed.

Wang utilized “The Last of Us Part II” gameplay as a basis for depicting how the bloater would ignite, incorporating references from nature too. Before being charred by flames, the bloater originally had a deeper shade of purple and dark blue, aside from the usual reds and oranges, because it originated in the frosty Wyoming mountains.

Wang described what happens when organic matter such as vegetables and mushrooms are subjected to high heat. He noted that there’s a lot of bubbling, the outer layer contracts and cracks before bubbling, and liquid is released. This is similar to the appearance we aimed for in our bloater character. It has a tough exterior, resembling a tree trunk. Upon penetration, it contracts again, revealing layers beneath. To make the bloater’s burning realistic, we needed to understand its various layers once the initial layer was burned off. We wanted a gradual progression of his burn that appeared believable, engaging, and made the audience think the flames were actually causing harm, rather than it being just a coincidence that the bloater died.

Following his introduction during Season 1, this character – often referred to as a “bloater” – surprisingly gained fame as a “sex symbol” and “large, fatherly mushroom,” as described by stunt performer Adam Basil. This popularity led to numerous memes being created around him. Now the question arises: How does the allure of this new bloater compare to the original?

“When discussing the design of the bloater for Season 2, Wang stated, ‘We aim to create an intriguing physique.’ He clarified that while he doesn’t use the term ‘sexy,’ the character should evoke feelings of awe and fear. So, he’s large, towering, not hunched over. It was crucial to portray him as confident and someone who others wouldn’t dare challenge. Therefore, these design elements remain in Season 2.”

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2025-04-22 01:49