Naughty Dog president and The Last of Us director Neil Druckmann has seemingly revealed that The Last of Us Part III is, at the very least, an idea that’s been floated at the studio. In a new interview with Variety, Druckmann says Naughty Dog debated going straight into Part III after completing Part II, but that ultimately, the team decided to move forward on what we now know as Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.Â
While a Part III to The Last of Us seems like a no-brainer, considering how well this franchise does for Naughty Dog and PlayStation, Druckmann has given mixed signals over the years. When The Last of Us Part II Remastered dropped last year, it eventually included Grounded II, a documentary about the making of the game.Â
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Near the end of it, Druckmann said, “For years now, I haven’t been able to find that concept [for Part III], but recently, that’s changed, and I don’t have a story, but I do have a conept that to me is as exciting as 1, as exciting as 2, is its own thing, and yet has this throughline for all three. So it does feel like there’s probably one more chapter to this story.”Â
But then, in a March 2025 Variety interview, Druckmann, when asked about a potential Part III, said, “I guess the only thing I would say is don’t be on there being more of The Last of Us. This could be it.”Â
Now, in a new interview with Variety, Druckmann has seemingly revealed that Naughty Dog, at one point, had plans regarding a Part III game in its Last of Us franchise.Â
When asked about potential Intergalactic sequels, Druckmann said, “We don’t tend to plan too much in the future, because we find – and this is something I inherited, it’s just the Naughty Dog culture – that we do our best work when it’s something we’re really excited about, really passionate about.
“Just to give you an example, when we finished The Last of Us Part II, and that was highly successful for us, we were debating whether we should just go straight into The Last of Us 3, and we had a really long period where we looked at ideas for maybe what could be in that game.”Â
The team looked at Uncharted, Jak and Daxter, and its “sci-fi thing,” though, and Druckmann said what is now Intergalactic is where the team’s passion led it.Â
So for now, it sounds like a third Last of Us game is on the theoretical or potential table as Naughty Dog continues work on Intergalactic.Â
For more, read Druckmann’s thoughts on the casting and gameplay of Intergalactic, and then check out Game Informer’s interview with Druckmann on the set of The Last of Us Season 2.Â
[Source: Variety]
Do you want Naughty Dog to make a third Last of Us game or something else? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s interesting to hear about Naughty Dog’s considerations for The Last of Us Part III. The series has sparked so much discussion and passion among fans, and it will be exciting to see where they take the story next.
has definitely sparked a lot of discussion among fans. It’s fascinating how the emotional depth and complex characters have shaped the series’ narrative. I’m curious to see how they might evolve the story further if they decide to go ahead with a third installment!
character development in the series resonate with so many people. It’s interesting to think about how the themes of survival and morality could evolve in a potential Part III. Fans are eager to see where the story could take us next!
Absolutely, the character development really adds depth to the story. It’s fascinating to see how their journeys reflect real-life struggles and emotions, making the narrative even more impactful. I can’t wait to see where they take these characters in a potential Part III!
I completely agree! The character development is a key element that makes the narrative so engaging. It’s interesting to think about how the choices made in Part II might influence the dynamics in Part III, potentially deepening those connections even further.
Absolutely! The depth of character development not only enhances the story but also allows players to form stronger emotional connections. It will be interesting to see how they continue to evolve the characters in Part III.
I completely agree! The character development really elevates the emotional stakes in the game. It’s fascinating how Naughty Dog has consistently pushed boundaries in storytelling, which keeps players invested in the narrative. I’m curious to see how they might explore new themes in Part III!
Absolutely! The depth of character relationships in The Last of Us series really draws players in and makes the story feel so impactful. It’s fascinating to think about how continuing these narratives in Part III could further explore those dynamics.
I completely agree! The way Naughty Dog explores complex emotions and moral dilemmas adds so much to the narrative. It will be interesting to see how they further develop these relationships in a potential Part III.
the storytelling. It really makes players reflect on their own choices and the consequences that follow. I’m curious to see how they might evolve those themes in Part III, especially after the events of Part II. It’ll be interesting to see what new moral challenges they present!
Absolutely, the way the game intertwines character development with moral dilemmas is truly impactful. It not only engages players but also prompts discussions about empathy and human nature. I’m curious to see how Part III might expand on these themes even further!
I completely agree! The character arcs really elevate the storytelling. It’s fascinating how the game’s moral choices can shift our perception of the characters, making us question our own values along the way. It adds such depth to the entire experience!
Absolutely! The depth of the character arcs really does add layers to the narrative. It’s interesting to see how each character’s choices impact the overall story, making the emotional stakes feel so much higher.