Amid swirling questions about the future of the *The Last of Us* video game series, fans are eager to know where the narrative might head after HBO's series Seasons 2 and 3, which are set to cover the events of the second game. Earlier this month, series creator Neil Druckmann hinted at uncertainty about *The Last of Us 3*, stating, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it."

The looming question is whether Naughty Dog and Druckmann would continue the TV show beyond the scope of the existing games if *The Last of Us 3* does not materialize. This was the topic IGN broached with Druckmann on the red carpet ahead of the premiere of *The Last of Us* Season 2. He emphasized the importance of having a definitive ending for his stories, saying, "I have to have an ending. When I made *The Last of Us 1*, I didn’t know if there was going to be a sequel, so that had to be a definitive ending. When I worked on *Uncharted 4*, I don’t know if we’ll ever get to do it again. I need it to be a definitive ending. *Last of Us 2*, same way. All these things have to line up."

Druckmann also touched on the uncertainty of his future involvement in the franchise due to his commitments to the TV show and the newly announced PlayStation game, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*. He explained, "As far as everything else, and you’re asking me about future games, my time so much is, we have to finish this season. We’re not quite done. We’re almost there. Knock on wood we get to do it again. Season 3, there’s a lot more story we have to cover, as you know with game two. And then my hands are pretty full with *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*."

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In February 2024, Druckmann teased a "concept" for a potential *The Last of Us 3* at the end of *Grounded 2: Making The Last of Us Part 2*, suggesting that there's "probably one more chapter to this story." He reflected on the thematic continuity across the series, saying, "The first game had such a clean concept of like, the unconditional love a parent feels for their child. The second one, once we landed on this idea of the pursuit of justice at any cost, justice for the ones you love, we felt like, 'there's a clean concept here and there's a throughline from the first game, about love.' If we never get to do it again, this is a fine ending point. Last bite of the apple, the story's done."

Druckmann also highlighted the creative freedom at Naughty Dog, adding, "The great thing about working at Naughty Dog is that we don't have to. It's always like, 'we would love another *Last of Us*, but if you guys feel you're passionate about something else, we'll support this other thing.' Very privileged position to be in, I never take that for granted. I've been just thinking about it, 'is there a concept there?' And for now years, I haven't been able to find that concept. But recently, that's changed, and I don't have a story, but I do have that concept 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."