Neil Druckmann Teases Possible Concepts for The Last of Us Part 3
Neil Druckmann might have subtly hinted at the potential for a third entry in the The Last of Us franchise during recent discussions surrounding the HBO adaptation. While Part II sparked significant debate upon its release, it garnered undeniable critical acclaim and commercial success—culminating in a deliberately open-ended story that left many fans eager to see more of Ellie’s journey. So far, Naughty Dog has issued no official announcement regarding a third mainline game; however, the possibility of continuing Ellie’s story is still on the table.
Five years after Part II launched, the franchise continues to thrive across multiple platforms. This past May, both The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 ranked among Amazon’s best-selling PS5 titles—coinciding with the conclusion of the second season of the HBO series and its subsequent renewal for a third season. Meanwhile, Naughty Dog is gearing up for the release of its next original IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. While no formal announcement has been made, Druckmann’s comments suggest that a third Last of Us game remains a realistic, albeit unconfirmed, possibility.
Druckmann Confirms Early Concept Work for Part III
In an interview with Variety, Druckmann mentioned that “other things are coming” after his departure from the HBO series—and revealed that Naughty Dog had already “explored ideas” for The Last of Us Part 3 shortly after completing Part II. Although the studio ultimately prioritized work on Intergalactic, Druckmann noted: “We have other ideas we’d like to explore” once that project is finished—a statement widely seen as promising news for longtime fans. Notably, industry insider Daniel Ritchman has claimed that casting for Part III has already begun, though Naughty Dog has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors.
Druckmann has consistently emphasized his preference for focusing on one major project at a time—a practice he considers vital, given how “all-consuming” game development can be. He reiterated this approach during the Variety interview, explaining that Naughty Dog avoids long-term planning and instead focuses on immediate priorities. As such, even if Part III proceeds, fans should prepare for a significant wait before any official announcements or release dates are revealed.
As for Naughty Dog’s next release, patience will be essential: insiders predict that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet won’t arrive until at least 2027, and Druckmann himself has acknowledged that the project is still in its early stages. Even so, the ongoing hints about The Last of Us Part III provide reassuring hope for fans—suggesting that while the wait may be long, Ellie’s story is far from over.
