These characters are pretty much the bulk of the story and he came up with them on the fly.

He’s probably struggling to figure out what to do with them since they weren’t intended for the endgame. Now his options are: Give them nothing and make them irrelevant, or try to work them into the finale without them feeling shoehorned in.

I still think it’s possible for him to do, but it definitely can’t be easy.

Not sure if I need to spoiler mark this since the movie is NEVER coming out and the idea long abandoned. But don’t read any further if you care about what could have happened in an alternate timeline.

In the article about the cancelled Firelord Zuko movie, there was a particular idea that the Writers threw around about Azula being a possible co founder/ member of the Red Lotus organization.

I’ve seen people on social media trash this idea and call it “Out of character” for Azula. Stating that she is the type to WANT a monarchy, while the Red Lotus is all about tearing them down. The writers seemed to lean towards the idea of it being out of character as well. BUT the idea actually does make a ton of sense for her character at the end of ATLA.

We, the fans/viewers, understand that the Fire Nation monarchy ruined Azulas life:
* It caused Ozai to be the way he was to his children as a father.
* It forced her Mother into an unhappy marriage that eventually stripped her away from her children.
* Stopped Azula from being able to connect with kids her own age (As we saw in the Beach episode).
* Caused the rift between her and her brother.
* Turned her into the monster she is.

It is such a known and accepted fact that the Monarchy ruined her life, that Azula is the ONLY character in universe who dosent realize/acknowledge it.

Everyone from her brother, uncle, and even her two friends all acknowledge it.

If Azula were to come to terms with this fact, then I can 100% see her deciding to destroy not only the Fire Nation government, but ALL governments and world leaders similar to it.

Another reason this works soo well is because it would be a perfect contrast to current day Zuko.

As the Firelord, He’s, in a way, doing the exact same thing, but from the inside.
He’s destroying the old and dangerous ways of the Fire Nation and replacing it with a more positive and helpful nation. He’s working directly with the Avatar in peace keeping, He’s atoning for the war crimes, introducing new policies, etc.

From a writing standpoint: Both sibling would be on a similar path to change the world in radically different ways due to the system they were born in.

And for those wanting Azula to do some good and have a Redemption arc. I think this could also work. As there are some genuinely terrible governments and leaders in the Avatar world whose citizens can be liberated from. The Red Lotus aren’t viewed as evil by everyone. She could have a Robin Hood like role, until things hit the fan when they start targeting the Avatar.

Shiiiit I applied to a job right NOW watching this shit.

Most of this sub trashes Neil for how the story was handled in LOU2, even calling him a “bad writer” and offering suggestions on what he should’ve done with the plot instead.

The irony is that pretty much ALL of the changes that people suggested are exactly that he had in mind from the start.

EXAMPLE 1: Most people have a problem with Ellie not killing Abby. After murdering hundreds of people just to get to Abby, letting her go seemed pointless. She could’ve quite literally stayed home and Abby would’ve died by herself.

- Neil knows. That’s why his original plan was to have Ellie kill Abby. In fact, 50% of the game was created with the idea that Abby gets killed in the end. Lev was even supposed to die too. So what happened you ask?! Halley Gross decided to have Ellie let her go free and Neil listened.

EXAMPLE 2: Most people have an issue with how Abbie miraculously found Joel, How Tommy told her both his and Joel’s name, and how they felt comfortable following total strangers to their hideout.

- Well according to the official Artbook, Neil’s original plan would’ve had Abby infiltrate Jackson. Befriend Joel and Ellie, Gain everyone’s trust over a course of time before striking when they let their guard down.

This makes infinitely more sense. Instead of trusting strangers they met 8 minutes ago, they trusted someone who they thought they knew for possibly years or at the least months.

This would also make the revenge plot even more personal for Tommy and Ellie as this is someone who they thought they had a relationship with.

As for why it was changed, we actually don’t have an official answer. But I’m going to assume meddling as this is very similar to the original end for Joel back in the first game.

EXAMPLE 3: Most people complain about Abby’s physique. Claiming that it’s unrealistic in that type of world (Despite the fact that we clearly see the Wolves have access to a Gym and Cafeteria in the stadium).

- Well we can see her original concept art and she looks very average. What changed?! Well most people attribute that to his attempts at over correctness of Sexualized characters. So not his own plans, just what he thought others would like.

Not as bad as “**Ethan Must Die**”, but Rank 5 was starting to get close.