With HBO's "The Last of Us" Season 2 premiere approaching, discussions about the future of the beloved game series have once again resurfaced. Many fans are speculating whether Naughty Dog will develop "The Last of Us Part III," and recent comments from Neil Druckmann have made the question even more ambiguous.
In an interview earlier this month, Druckmann hinted that "The Last of Us Part III" might not happen, stating, "All I can say is, don't expect more 'The Last of Us' works, this might be the end." This statement led many fans to worry if the HBO series would venture beyond the games into original storylines should "The Last of Us Part III" never materialize.
Will the Series Go Beyond the Games?
On the red carpet for "The Last of Us" Season 2 premiere, an IGN reporter directly asked Druckmann, "If 'The Last of Us Part III' never happens, could the HBO series continue to tell new stories, going beyond the game's plot?"
In response, Druckmann stated that he has conceived a definitive ending for "The Last of Us," and regardless of whether "The Last of Us Part III" is released, the story will ultimately reach the conclusion he has planned.
"I have to have an ending," Druckmann said. "When I made 'The Last of Us,' I didn't know if there would be a sequel, so I gave it a complete ending. It was the same with 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End'; I wasn't sure if there would be another one, so I had to give it a definitive conclusion. It was the same with 'The Last of Us Part II'; everything had to be properly arranged."
"Currently, we have an ending, and that ending is the conclusion of this story."
These remarks seem to imply that if the series were to continue, its ultimate narrative would still adhere to Druckmann's predetermined ending, rather than embarking on an entirely independent storyline.
"The Last of Us Part III"'s Biggest Challenge: Does Druckmann Have the Time?
Even if "The Last of Us Part III" gets greenlit for development, another practical question arises: Does Druckmann have the time to make the game?
Currently, his primary focus is on HBO's series, specifically Seasons 2 and 3, which will fully adapt the story of "The Last of Us Part II." Furthermore, Naughty Dog recently announced a new game, "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet," which will undoubtedly further constrain his time.
"As for other game projects, my most important task right now is to finish this season of the show," Druckmann added. "We're not entirely done, though we're getting close to the finish line. Hopefully, everything goes well, and we can continue to make a third season. As you know, there's a lot more story to tell from 'The Last of Us Part II.'"
"Beyond that, my time is almost entirely filled with 'Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.'"
What's the Current Status of "The Last of Us Part III"?
Regarding the development progress of "The Last of Us Part III," in addition to Neil Druckmann's previous interview where he revealed the game's script was complete, renowned insider Daniel Richtman also reported that the development team has begun focusing on casting, and that the storyline will revolve around a group of scavengers living on the outskirts of a post-apocalyptic city.
via： IGN