The Last of Us: Part III Remains Uncertain as Naughty Dog Prioritizes New Projects

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us franchise has gained renewed attention due to the massive success of the HBO adaptation, featuring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. With this surge in popularity, fans are eager to know whether a third installment in the video game series, The Last of Us: Part III, will ever be made. While no official announcement has been made, developers at Naughty Dog have offered some insight into the future of the series, leaving the door open but uncertain about a potential continuation.

The most recent update on the possibility of The Last of Us: Part III comes from Neil Druckmann, the writer and director of the first two games. In a recent interview promoting the HBO series, Druckmann was asked about a third game. While he didn’t outright dismiss the idea, he explained that it would only happen “if the stars align.” Druckmann emphasized that Naughty Dog is currently focused on a different project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is taking up the studio’s time. He expressed that he would treat this as if it were the last project he worked on, leaving the future of The Last of Us uncertain.

Druckmann has repeatedly emphasized that The Last of Us: Part II offered a definitive conclusion to the story. In past interviews, he explained that the first game was designed with a clear ending in mind because he wasn’t sure a sequel would ever happen. However, when the opportunity arose to create Part II, he and the team crafted a story they felt passionate about. According to Druckmann, Part II provided a “full circle” narrative, making a third game unnecessary from a storytelling perspective.

In early 2024, Druckmann hinted that there might be “probably one more chapter” to the The Last of Us saga. In a making-of documentary for Part II, he revealed that he had recently discovered a concept that excited him as much as the first two games. However, Druckmann also made it clear that while he had a concept in mind, it was still far from being a fully developed idea, and nothing was guaranteed. The comment sparked hope among fans, but it still does not confirm the existence of a third game.

The Last of Us: Part II Seen as a Satisfactory Conclusion, Future Uncertain

Despite hints of a possible third game, Druckmann has also suggested that The Last of Us: Part II serves as a satisfactory conclusion to the series. He expressed that the team at Naughty Dog was in a privileged position, able to decide their next steps without external pressure. If the studio decides not to continue the series, Part II would stand as a “fine ending point.” Furthermore, Druckmann clarified that while he once alluded to an outline for Part III, it was actually a smaller story idea focusing on Tommy, which was ultimately shelved due to the studio’s priorities.

The HBO adaptation of The Last of Us is another major factor in discussions about the future of the game. The second season, which adapts The Last of Us: Part II, will require at least two seasons to fully cover the events of the game. This prompts speculation about the possibility of a fourth season, especially considering there is no Part III game to adapt. However, showrunner Craig Mazin has made it clear that the series will not surpass the events of the video games. Mazin stressed that he would not continue the story beyond the source material, indicating that any further seasons would stay true to the established narrative.

In 2023, Naughty Dog revealed it had two single-player games in development, with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet already announced. The second title remains a mystery, but many speculate it could be The Last of Us: Part III. However, given that Naughty Dog has moved forward with other projects, it seems unlikely that Part III would be released in the immediate future. Moreover, the studio’s commitment to Intergalactic suggests a third Last of Us installment could be a long way off, if it happens at all.

No Official Release Date Yet for The Last of Us: Part III; Potential Storylines Unclear

As of now, there is no official release date for The Last of Us: Part III. If it were to be made, fans would likely have to wait several years, especially considering that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is not expected until 2027 at the earliest. The game would almost certainly be released on a PlayStation platform, though it’s unclear whether it would appear on the upcoming PlayStation 6 or a current-gen console. Additionally, Sony has been bringing more of its first-party games to PC, but these releases typically happen after the games’ console launches.

While the end of The Last of Us: Part II leaves room for future exploration, especially with Ellie and Abby surviving, there is no official word on what a third installment would focus on. One possibility is that Part III could follow up on the unresolved narratives of these characters, but there is also the chance that it could introduce entirely new characters or groups within the post-apocalyptic world. Regardless, the direction of the story remains purely speculative at this point.

If The Last of Us: Part III is made, Naughty Dog would almost certainly oversee its development, as they have done with the previous games. However, there has been some discussion about whether the studio might allow another team to take on the project, similar to what they considered for the Uncharted series after they concluded Uncharted 4. While it’s too early to know for sure, it’s clear that Naughty Dog’s involvement would remain central to any potential third game.