Neil Druckmann on Continuing 'The Last of Us' TV Show Beyond Games

Amid swirling questions about the future of *The Last of Us* video game series, fans are eager to know where the story might head after HBO's Season 2 and 3, which are set to cover the events of the second video game. Earlier this month, series creator Neil Druckmann cast doubt on the possibility of *The Last of Us 3*, stating, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it."

This raises the question: If there's no *The Last of Us 3*, would Naughty Dog and Druckmann continue the TV series beyond the existing games? IGN posed this question to Druckmann at the red carpet event ahead of *The Last of Us* Season 2 premiere. Druckmann revealed that, while he has an ending in mind for *The Last of Us* story, the uncertainty about making *The Last of Us 3* means he's prepared to leave nothing unfinished.

"I have to have an ending," Druckmann emphasized. "When I made *The Last of Us 1*, I didn’t know if there was going to be a sequel, so that had to be a definitive ending. When I worked on *Uncharted 4*, I didn’t know if we’d ever get to do it again. I needed it to be a definitive ending. *The Last of Us 2*, same way. All these things have to line up."

Druckmann expressed uncertainty about his future in game development and the opportunities he might receive. "I don’t know how long I’ll keep doing this or whether I’ll be given another opportunity. So I leave nothing on the line," he said. "Right now, it’s like, we have an ending in mind. And that ending will be it. That ending will be it for this story."

Druckmann's busy schedule further complicates the prospect of *The Last of Us 3*. He's currently focused on completing the TV show, which will adapt *The Last of Us 2* over Seasons 2 and 3, and he's also working on the new PlayStation game, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*.

"As far as everything else, and you’re asking me about future games, my time is so much, we have to finish this season," Druckmann explained. "We’re not quite done. We’re almost there. Knock on wood we get to do it again. Season 3, there’s a lot more story we have to cover, as you know with game two. And then my hands are pretty full with *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*."

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

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In February 2024, Druckmann hinted at a "concept" for a potential The Last of Us 3 during the documentary Grounded 2: Making The Last of Us Part 2. He noted, "There's probably one more chapter to this story."

"The first game had such a clean concept of like, the unconditional love a parent feels for their child," he said. "The second one, once we landed on this idea of the pursuit of justice at any cost, justice for the ones you love, we felt like, 'there's a clean concept here and there's a throughline from the first game, about love.' If we never get to do it again, this is a fine ending point. Last bite of the apple, the story's done."

Druckmann also highlighted the creative freedom at Naughty Dog, saying, "The great thing about working at Naughty Dog is that we don't have to. It's always like, 'we would love another *Last of Us*, but if you guys feel you're passionate about something else, we'll support this other thing.' Very privileged position to be in, I never take that for granted. I've been just thinking about it, 'is there a concept there?' And for now years, I haven't been able to find that concept. But recently, that's changed, and I don't have a story, but I do have that concept that to me is as exciting as 1, as exciting as 2, is its own thing, and yet has this throughline for all three. So it does feel like there's probably one more chapter to this story."