By Are we ever going to see The Last of Us: Part III? Naughty Dog’s beloved series is making headlines again, partially due to the acclaimed HBO series featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, which raises inquiries about a potential extension of the video game lore.
While no new titles have been declared, Naughty Dog developers have often hinted and commented on the possibility of revisiting the post-apocalyptic universe. It is crucial to understand that The Last of Us: Part III is unconfirmed—and it might not ever come to fruition. Nonetheless, there exists a possibility, prompting us to compile all we’ve learned regarding a new installment in The Last of Us saga.
The Last Of Us: Part III Could Occur “If The Cosmos Align”
Neil Druckmann, the writer and director behind the first two titles, recently discussed The Last of Us: Part III during a promotional discussion for Season 2. Although he did not dismiss it, he’s not affirming it either.
“Currently, at Naughty Dog, we’re focused on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a project we’ve dedicated years to. That consumes our resources,” he shared. “I treat these ventures like they’re the last I’ll ever undertake. Hence, my belief is that there won’t be any more [The Last of Us games]. However, if fate smiles on us, who knows?”
Druckmann explained that the narrative in the first The Last of Us was crafted to have a “conclusive ending,” as he was uncertain about the chance for a sequel. The game became an immense success, leading him to return for The Last of Us: Part II. He indicated that Naughty Dog was not obligated to craft the sequel since Sony, the parent company, trusts the studio’s creative judgment.
“However, we had a concept for [The Last of Us: Part II] that we were passionate about, compelling enough to merit years of work. We refined the narrative, believing, ‘This story feels complete. This moment in time concludes here,'” he remarked.
“Likely One More Chapter”
In early 2024, in a documentary for The Last of Us: Part II, Druckmann suggested that there is “likely one more chapter to this tale.”
“I’ve been mulling over whether a concept exists for The Last of Us III. For years, I couldn’t pinpoint that concept, but that has recently changed. While I don’t possess a full story yet, I have an idea that excites me as much as 1 and 2,” he mentioned. “It stands alone but maintains a narrative thread connecting all three titles. Therefore, it feels as if there is probably one more chapter to this narrative.”
The documentary appears to have been recorded some time ago and is an official collaboration with Naughty Dog. Consequently, it presumably contains only the information deemed fit for public sharing, including Druckmann’s insights into a possible new Last of Us title. Although Druckmann conveyed excitement around having a concept for The Last of Us: Part III, this does not imply it is a definite project Naughty Dog is prepared to develop.
Given the significant success and widespread acclaim of both the video game and TV series, it stands to reason that the decision-makers might wish to see the Last of Us brand thrive, potentially for financial gain. However, such logic could also have applied to Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series, which concluded nearly a decade ago with Uncharted 4 and shows no indications of being revived any time soon, if ever. As Druckmann has indicated, Naughty Dog enjoys the fortunate status of being afforded creative autonomy by Sony, meaning the studio might prefer to move beyond Uncharted and The Last of Us to pursue new avenues.
The Last Of Us: Part II Represents A “Satisfactory Conclusion”
Druckmann asserted that if Naughty Dog never produces a third installment, The Last of Us: Part II serves as a “satisfactory conclusion.”
“I enjoyed my complete experience. The narrative feels resolved. The great advantage of working at Naughty Dog is that we are not compelled to [create The Last of Us III]. We genuinely desire another Last of Us,” he remarked, cautioning, however, that if the team chooses to create something different, they will pursue that instead.
“Being in this position is quite privileged,” he concluded.
Additionally, Druckmann clarified earlier statements where he implied having an outline for The Last of Us III. He clarified that this was inaccurate; he was actually referencing a story outline centered on the character Tommy.
“We’ve composed a narrative occurring after The Last of Us 2, featuring Tommy. I hope that one day we can realize this project,” Druckmann expressed, noting that this was never intended as a full game, but rather as a succinct, focused narrative.
Naughty Dog did not proceed with this Tommy project due to “higher priorities” at the time, including enhancing their development processes and tackling the company’s work/life balance challenges that received media attention.
Implications of the TV Show
The Last of Us Season 2 marks the beginning of HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us: Part II, with showrunners and writers Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin indicating that concluding the entire narrative will take at least two seasons. With The Last of Us already receiving a renewal for a third season, this aligns perfectly. Given there is currently no The Last of Us: Part III, many speculate on what a potential fourth season could present. However, Mazin is determined to avoid a predicament similar to Game of Thrones, where the television adaptation surpassed the source material’s events.
“I’m not planning to extend beyond the game. I’ll make that clear right now. So if anyone is assuming, ‘Oh, these folks are trying the old cash grab tactic…'” Mazin informed The Hollywood Reporter.
“I’m essentially dedicating a decade of my swiftly diminishing life to narrate this tale. The production is incredibly challenging. It must have a conclusion. Hence, I’m not extending beyond it. Who knows, there may be a Dunk and Egg The Last of Us series crafted by someone else down the line. But for me, the primary question is: Will it be just one more season, or will it need two? If all can be accomplished in one more season, fantastic. If it appears logical to split it into two, then we will pursue that route.”
Naughty Dog Is Working on Two Single-Player Games
In 2023, following the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, Naughty Dog announced that it has at least two single-player titles in the works. One has been identified as Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, while the other remains undisclosed. Many speculate it could be The Last of Us: Part III. Reporter Daniel Richtman claimed in July 2023 that The Last of Us: Part III is in development.
When is The Last of Us: Part III Expected to Release?
Currently, The Last of Us: Part III has no official announcement, so its release date remains uncertain. If Naughty Dog opts to pursue the series further, it likely wouldn’t be for a while, considering that their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, is rumored to be not arriving until 2027 at the earliest. A third installment of The Last of Us would presumably come later, if it materializes at all.
Platforms for The Last of Us: Part III
Should Naughty Dog choose to develop The Last of Us: Part III, it would almost certainly launch on a PlayStation system. Naughty Dog has not unveiled any new titles for the PS5 yet, and with Intergalactic’s potential release pushed to 2027 or beyond, it raises the question of whether a future The Last of Us: Part III might debut on the speculated PlayStation 6.
Sony, the parent company of Naughty Dog, has started to transition more of its first-party titles to PC, though typically not at launch for single-player experiences.
The Last of Us: Part III: Narrative, Setting, and Characters
[SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OF US: PART II FOLLOW]
The Last of Us: Part II concludes with the long-anticipated confrontation between Ellie and Abby. Ellie has the chance to eliminate Abby but ultimately decides to let her live, reflecting on what her father figure, Joel, might have wanted. Both characters survive, allowing for the potential continuation of their journeys in a third installment, although this is merely speculation.
At this point, there is no information available regarding the possible storyline for a new The Last of Us installment. It is also feasible that a future game may feature a different cast of characters.
Who’s Behind The Development of The Last of Us: Part III?
Naughty Dog developed The Last of Us series and would undoubtedly handle the creation of a third entry if it is indeed realized. While it’s expected that Naughty Dog–and Druckmann–would lead this new chapter, prior remarks from the studio imply that it might not only be them involved. Notably, when Naughty Dog stated it had concluded its work on Uncharted, it mentioned potentially permitting another studio to create Uncharted 5.