Naughty Dog Co-President Neil Druckmann recently announced he will no longer be involved in the creative work for HBO's hit series "The Last of Us" Season 3, instead dedicating his full attention to the development of the studio's new game, "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet".
Druckmann released a statement via Naughty Dog's official social media accounts, explaining that he believes the current period, with Season 2 production complete and Season 3 not yet officially underway, is the right time to step down from his series duties and redirect all his energy back to the studio and its future projects. 
He revealed that in addition to writing and directing the upcoming "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet," he continues to serve as Studio Co-President and Creative Director, overseeing other unannounced development projects. 
"Co-creating this series with Craig Mazin has been a significant milestone in my career," Druckmann stated. "I am also incredibly grateful to this talented team for the dedication and passion they showed in adapting 'The Last of Us'."
According to a report from The Ankler, "The Last of Us" Season 3 will be solely helmed by co-creator Craig Mazin, who will take charge of writing and production. While Druckmann will no longer be involved in the series' creative development, he continues to play a pivotal role within Naughty Dog, hinting at another unannounced project currently in the pipeline, where he will participate as an executive producer and provide input.
HBO's "The Last of Us" has achieved remarkable success since its premiere, with Season 1 accumulating over 90 million global viewers. Although Season 2 viewership was slightly impacted by the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the US, its overall popularity remains high. Whether a fourth season will be produced is currently awaiting official confirmation.