Neil Druckmann Confirms New ‘The Last of Us’ Projects Will Expand the Canon

Few franchises have sparked as many “what happens next” discussions as ‘The Last of Us’. HBO’s adaptation is set to wrap up with its third season in 2027, leaving fans to ponder if this marks the end of the broader universe. The question of upcoming ‘The Last of Us’ projects has lingered for months.

Naughty Dog’s studio head has now provided some clarity. Earlier this month, Neil Druckmann shared with The Washington Post that the studio is not finished with the franchise and that several projects are currently in development. He mentioned that more details would be unveiled when the time is right.

This week, the confirmation became more specific. In a Naughty Dog blog post marking the end of The Last of Us Day, Druckmann revealed that two projects are in very early stages and both will “expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II.” The post was published on September 28, following the annual celebration linked to the in-game Outbreak Day.

Druckmann noted that the studio has been discussing the possibility of telling more stories in this universe since the ‘Grounded II’ documentary. He emphasized that Naughty Dog wouldn’t return to the series unless it had something significant to contribute. The studio believes these stories are worth telling.

Equally important is what the announcement does not include. There are no titles, characters, platforms, or release windows mentioned, and Druckmann did not specify whether the projects will be games, television adaptations, or something else entirely. Tbreak also highlighted that the announcement does not confirm a direct sequel or ‘The Last of Us Part III’.

Speculation has not been deterred. Push Square interpreted the news as effectively confirming that new games are on the way, likely for the PS6, although it pointed out that Druckmann never explicitly referred to them as games. Commenters on the site are already suggesting ideas ranging from ‘Part III’ to a spinoff featuring Tommy.

DualShockers viewed the phrasing as an indication that the focus might shift to new characters and narratives, marking the first time Naughty Dog has clearly confirmed that more content is forthcoming. Geek Culture went further, suggesting the studio may move beyond Ellie’s storyline. However, neither outlet has any official confirmation, so these interpretations remain educated guesses.

The timing is intriguing, especially considering the series has experienced a rocky period. ‘The Last of Us Part II’ was released in 2020, followed by the ‘Part I’ remake in 2022. Dark Horizons noted that the sequel was divisive, with some fans placing it on par with the original, while others criticized certain creative decisions.

Behind the scenes, a multiplayer game had been in development for years before it was shelved as Sony shifted away from live-service projects. Questions remain about whether Naughty Dog will repurpose that development work in some other capacity. Druckmann’s latest post doesn’t address that, but it indicates the studio is eager to keep the universe alive.

Naughty Dog’s current focus is on ‘Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’, its first major new game since 2020. Druckmann stated that the game is shaping up to be the studio’s most ambitious yet, with a full reveal planned for 2027. He mentioned that the team needs a bit more time to refine it.

The game was initially revealed on December 12, 2024, and has not been featured in showcases since, including a recent State of Play presentation. DualShockers also reported that Naughty Dog intends to remain quiet for the rest of 2026, so these updates are what fans can expect for the foreseeable future.

For now, the takeaway is cautious yet exciting. The new projects are still in their infancy, and it may take years before any detailed announcements are made. Nevertheless, the mere confirmation is a significant shift for a franchise many believed might be concluding.

The hardest part will be the wait. With a television finale approaching and ‘Intergalactic’ taking center stage, the next chapter of this universe is still a long way off.

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