It looks like the world of The Last of Us isn't done telling its story. Neil Druckmann, the creative force behind the beloved post-apocalyptic franchise, has confirmed that Naughty Dog is working on not one, but two new projects set in that universe. While details are scarce, the big takeaway is that both will expand the established canon beyond the events of The Last of Us Part I and Part II.
Druckmann made the announcement during this year's The Last of Us Day celebrations, a day dedicated to fans of the series. He was careful not to officially announce The Last of Us Part III, but his words left little doubt that a third mainline entry is at least a possibility. "We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages," he said, "so we can't say much about them at this point. I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II."
Druckmann emphasized that this isn't a cash grab. "The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us," he explained, "and we wouldn't return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling." That sentiment echoes what he shared in the Grounded II documentary, where he mentioned he had a concept for "probably one more chapter to this story."
While fans are buzzing about the possibility of Part III, Naughty Dog's immediate focus remains on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio's ambitious new sci-fi title. Druckmann confirmed that the game will stay under wraps for the rest of 2026, with a full reveal planned for 2027. He called it the studio's "most ambitious game yet," which is saying a lot given their track record.
The announcement has reignited discussions about the future of the franchise, especially with the HBO series continuing to bring the story to a wider audience. The show has been a massive hit, and fans are already speculating about how the games' expanded canon might influence the TV adaptation. For now, though, we'll have to wait for more details on these mysterious new projects.
In the meantime, if you're craving more post-apocalyptic action, you can revisit the original games on PlayStation or catch up on the series via HBO Max. And if you're in the mood for other sequels that took their time, check out how Better Call Saul set up its own sequel or why M. Night Shyamalan closed the door on his universe.
As for The Last of Us, the future looks bright. Druckmann's commitment to meaningful storytelling suggests that whatever comes next will be worth the wait. Whether it's Part III or something entirely new, fans can rest easy knowing that the world they love is in good hands.
