Neil Druckmann, the creator of The Last of Us and president of Naughty Dog, has recently shared ambiguous messages about the potential for a third installment in the beloved series. Two months ago, he advised fans against expecting more content from The Last of Us, which was met with disappointment by many. However, his latest comments suggest a slight shift in that stance.
Possibility of The Last of Us Part III
During an interview with Sacred Symbols, Druckmann expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to create The Last of Us Part III, but he emphasized the necessity of having a compelling story that meets the franchise’s high standards. He stated, “I would jump at the opportunity to make The Last of Us Part III,” indicating that he is open to revisiting the series under the right circumstances.
Druckmann reinforced his commitment to quality in his work, saying, “While I am the caretaker of this franchise… it’s important for me that everything is of high quality. I don’t want to just make a lot of it; I just want to be very thoughtful about everything that we make.” He compared his approach to previous projects, such as collaborating with Universal for a theme park attraction and HBO for the television adaptation, both of which aimed to deliver the best possible experiences.
Current and Future Projects
While Druckmann’s comments show a willingness to consider a third game, it seems that his current focus is on an unannounced project he is producing, directed by Shaun Escayg. This suggests that any sequel to The Last of Us may not be on the immediate horizon. Speculation indicates that this new project has been in development for approximately three years, which aligns with the typical five to six-year timeline for major AAA game development.
As fans await news on both the potential third entry in the franchise and Druckmann’s new project, it remains clear that any continuation of The Last of Us saga will depend heavily on having a story that resonates with both the creator’s vision and the audience’s expectations.