The Last of Us universe appears to be far from finished, and fans may have more to look forward to than just another game.
Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann has teased that multiple projects connected to The Last of Us are currently in development. While he did not reveal exact details, his comments strongly suggest that the acclaimed post-apocalyptic franchise still has a future beyond HBO’s television adaptation.
The Last of Us Part II launched in 2020, continuing the emotional and brutal story that began with the original 2013 PlayStation classic. Since then, fans have repeatedly wondered whether Naughty Dog would eventually move forward with The Last of Us Part III. Although the studio has not officially announced a third mainline game, Druckmann’s latest remarks have reignited speculation.
Speaking about the future of the franchise, Druckmann made it clear that Naughty Dog remains closely tied to the property. He explained that even if HBO’s adaptation is nearing its conclusion, the studio is “not done” with The Last of Us. He also added that there are “a couple projects in the works” and that he is excited to discuss them when the time is right.
That wording is important. Druckmann did not say “a game” or “one project.” He said there are multiple projects, which opens the door to several possibilities. A new PlayStation game may be the most obvious guess, but The Last of Us could also return through other formats, including animation, comics, expanded story content, or another type of interactive experience.
The franchise has already explored more than one medium. A comic book miniseries previously served as a prequel to the first game, while a tabletop role-playing game arrived in 2024. There were also earlier attempts to bring The Last of Us to film and animation, though those plans never moved forward. With that history in mind, it would not be surprising if Naughty Dog and its partners are considering ways to expand the world beyond a traditional sequel.
Still, many fans will naturally focus on the possibility of The Last of Us Part III. The ending of Part II left plenty of room for debate, especially around Ellie’s future and the emotional consequences of her journey. A third game could explore what comes next for her, introduce new survivors, or shift perspective entirely to another part of the infected world.
However, Naughty Dog’s immediate focus appears to be Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio’s next major video game project. Because of that, a new The Last of Us game may still be several years away if it is indeed in development. Naughty Dog is known for taking its time with large-scale narrative games, so fans should probably not expect a quick release.
That does not mean the franchise will stay quiet for long. If some of the teased projects are not full games, audiences could return to The Last of Us universe sooner than expected. Smaller projects, companion stories, or adaptations could help keep the series alive while Naughty Dog continues work on its next major release.
PlayStation also released The Last of Us Complete for PS5 in 2025, giving newer players a convenient way to experience the series. That release helped keep the franchise visible while interest in the HBO show continued to bring in viewers who may not have played the games before.
The timing of Druckmann’s comments is also worth noting. The Last of Us Day takes place on September 26, a date that has often been used to celebrate the franchise and share updates with fans. While nothing has been confirmed, it is possible that Naughty Dog could use the occasion to tease what is coming next.
For now, the message is simple: The Last of Us is not over. Whether the next chapter is The Last of Us Part III, a spin-off, an adaptation, or something entirely unexpected, Naughty Dog is clearly not ready to leave this world behind.
