The anticipation for The Last of Us Part 3 just reached new heights, largely driven by a tease that fans believe confirms the game’s existence.
Shannon Woodward, a prominent actress in both television and gaming, might be the link between speculations and reality.
For many, Woodward is renowned for her TV roles in shows such as Westworld and Raising Hope as Elsie Hughes and Sabrina Collins, respectively. However, for PlayStation aficionados, she’s celebrated as Dina from The Last of Us Part 2, her only foray into the video game industry so far.
Recently, an intriguing post on her personal Instagram hinted at her involvement in a “top secret video game,” marked by three distinct emojis. This seemingly innocuous post has led to fervent speculation. The trilogy of emojis fueled the rumors that this secret project is none other than the third installment of the award-winning multimedia franchise. However, even in the sea of excitement, concrete proof remains elusive.
Neither Woodward, Naughty Dog, PlayStation, nor any associated parties have released an official statement. This has left fans in a maze of speculations, considering what this potential third installment might entail.
This year has been huge for The Last of Us franchise. With the live-action adaptation’s premiere and the release of the PC port of The Last of Us Part 1, which was somewhat underwhelming (and still is, despite promises of a fix). In addition, we got an update regarding the much-anticipated multiplayer spin-off of The Last of Us. Finally, multiple seasons of The Last of Us on HBO have been confirmed with Season 2 likely premiering either in 2025 or 2026.
With that said, Woodward’s teaser further intensified the clamor for more The Last of Us news. The said picture shows her alongside Ronan Farrow, an acclaimed journalist and actor. A glance at Farrow’s Instagram revealed that he follows Neil Druckmann, the mastermind behind The Last of Us series. Such connections, though thin, have led fans to believe in the possibility of Farrow’s involvement and the imminent revelation of The Last of Us Part 3. However, it’s worth noting that some fans have thrown cold water on the widespread speculation.
Zoomed-in analysis of the picture taken in the studio reveals equipment marked by Cyan Worlds, developers renowned for the game Myst, among others. Then again, Cyan Worlds isn’t typically involved in performance-capture heavy games, which leaves room for further theories.
With The Last of Us Day looming, there’s hope for a revelation.
Of course, fans shouldn’t feel disappointed if Woodward’s next project isn’t The Last of Us Part 3. Motion capture, which is a primary component of a game, typically takes place in the later stages of development. The prospective timeline of The Last of Us Part 3 release is still far, it seems a tad early for such teases. Shannon Woodward has the flexibility to do something else. Plus, the presence of equipment linked to a different developer hints at her potential involvement in a new project.
Who knows? Maybe Hideo Kojima hired Woodward to join Conan O’Brien and Guillermo Del Toro for Death Stranding 2, which comes out next year. The timeline, based on our estimates, fits.
Whether this is a breadcrumb trail leading to The Last of Us Part 3 or a detour into another gaming universe entirely, only time will tell. Until then, the speculation game continues, fueled by passion and the desire to witness the newest chapter in the acclaimed series.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to seeing The Last of Us Part 2 hit the PC and/or the PlayStation 5, as per earlier leaks. Finally, it’s believed that HBO’s The Last of Us has found its Abby.
