Neil Druckmann, co-creator and writer of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us franchise, is responsible for sending The Last of Us fans on a frenzy after dropping an update regarding The Last of Us Part 3.
In the documentary, Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II, Druckmann confirmed that a concept for The Last of Us Part 3 already exists. This news comes as a beacon of hope for the audiences desperately looking for the light, especially now that the series has dominated the entertainment industry with its award-winning pair of entries and multi-awarded live-action adaptation by HBO.
Druckmann shared his years-long struggle to find a concept matching the emotional depth and narrative strength of the first two games. However, his recent breakthrough has led to a concept he believes is as exciting as its predecessors. Now, while Naughty Dog still has to flesh out a story, Druckmann’s enthusiasm for the new concept suggests that The Last of Us Part 3 could offer a fresh yet cohesive continuation of the series’ narrative arc.
The Last of Us, released in 2013, and its sequel, The Last of Us Part II, released in 2020, have been celebrated for their compelling storytelling and deep character development as well as immersive gameplay. The series follows the journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal plague. The emotional depth and moral complexities explored in these games have set a high standard for narrative-driven video games.
Druckmann’s announcement indicates that the third installment will maintain the thematic throughline of love and justice that has characterized the series while introducing elements that will stand on their own. This approach ensures that if The Last of Us Part 3 were to be the final chapter, it would offer a satisfying conclusion to the saga.
In addition to The Last of Us Part 3, Druckmann touched upon a project involving Tommy, Joel’s brother, set after the events of The Last of Us Part 2. While Naughty Dog shelved this story, Druckmann expressed hope that it might one day see the light, whether as a game or possibly as part of the HBO series.
As for the potential adaptation of The Last of Us Part 3 into the HBO series, Druckmann’s involvement as a showrunner, alongside Craig Mazin, suggests a commitment to preserving the integrity of the source material.
With Season 2 of the HBO series set to adapt part of the events of The Last of Us Part 2 (it’s going to stretch the sequel across multiple seasons), the confirmation of a third game opens up exciting possibilities for the television adaptation’s future.
Audiences can only speculate about the direction this new installment will take but one thing is clear: the emotional and narrative richness that defined the first two games will be at the heart of whatever comes next.
In the meantime, fans can enjoy playing The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, which is an economical upgrade on PlayStation 5.
