Naughty Dog head Neil Druckmann has introduced he is not going to be creatively concerned within the upcoming Season 3 of HBO’s The Last of Us, opting as an alternative to focus solely on sport improvement of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) (*3*)
In an announcement posted to Naughty Dog social channels, Druckmann mentioned the next:
“I’ve made the troublesome determination to step away from my inventive involvement in The Last of Us on HBO. With work accomplished on Season 2 and earlier than any significant work begins on Season 3, now’s the proper time for me to transition my full focus to Naughty Dog and its future tasks, together with writing and directing our thrilling subsequent sport, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, together with my tasks as Studio Head and Head of Inventive.
“Co-creating the present has been a profession spotlight. It has been an honor to work alongside Craig Mazin to govt produce, direct, and write on the final two seasons. I am deeply grateful for the considerate strategy and dedication the proficient solid and crew took to adapting The Last of Us Half I and the continued adaptation of The Last of Us Half II.”
Additional reporting from The Ankler reveals that showrunner Craig Mazin might be heading up writing for Season 3, after having partnered with Druckmann on the primary two seasons.
Druckmann’s return to focus on sport improvement comes following the reveal of Naughty Dog’s subsequent mission, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, at The Game Awards in December of 2024. Whereas that appears to be Druckmann’s major focus for now, it isn’t the studio’s solely mission. Druckmann has confirmed that there is one other, unannounced sport within the works internally on which he’s “extra of a producer function” and will get to “mentor and watch this different group and provides suggestions and be like the chief within the room.”
HBO’s The Last of Us adaptation, in the meantime, has been wildly profitable. HBO mentioned that Season 2 noticed an “inflow” of viewers that introduced the sequence complete world viewers to over 90 million for the reason that finish of Season 1, although it added that low viewership of the Season 2 finale was due to its launch timing on Memorial Day weekend.
Although Season 3 is confirmed to be within the works, it is probably not the top. Mazin has mentioned that he thinks a fourth season is crucial, and the sequence composer mentioned on a podcast not too long ago that there can be “at the least two extra seasons, no query.” It’s unclear whether or not or not Druckmann would return in a inventive capability on a fourth season.
We gave The Last of Us Season 1 a 9/10, calling it “a shocking adaptation that ought to thrill newcomers and enrich these already conversant in Joel and Ellie’s journey alike.” Season 2 obtained a barely decrease 7/10, “nonetheless good, nevertheless it’s additionally a sequel that struggles as a result of it is solely half of the story.”
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You’ll find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Acquired a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.