Neil Druckmann says Naughty Dog is not done with The Last of Us and has “a couple projects” in the works. He did not name those projects, and the interview does not confirm The Last of Us Part III, another game, a release date, or any platform.
The confirmed news is that more work tied to the franchise exists. Everything beyond that—including whether the projects are games, television work, remasters, spinoffs, or something else—remains unannounced.
The Last of Us Project Status
- What Naughty Dog said: The studio is not done with The Last of Us.
- How many: Druckmann used the phrase “a couple projects,” but did not identify them.
- Part III status: Not announced or confirmed.
- Project formats: Not stated.
- Dates and platforms: None were announced.
- HBO Season 3: Druckmann says it will finish the adaptation of the two released games, but he and Naughty Dog did not shape the season’s creative direction.
What Neil Druckmann Confirmed
Druckmann made the comments in a Washington Post interview about video game writing. While discussing The Last of Us and the HBO adaptation, he said Naughty Dog remains the steward of the franchise it created. That places responsibility for its future with the studio even as HBO continues its separate television version.
“We’re not done with The Last of Us. There’s a couple projects in the works.”
The important confirmed phrase is “a couple projects in the works.” Druckmann added that he is excited to discuss them when the time is right. The interview offers no project names, production teams, partners, or clues about which one might be revealed first.
That wording tells players the franchise has active work behind the scenes, but it does not establish that either project is close to release. A project can be in development long before a studio is ready to announce its scope, cast, platform, or launch plan.
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Is The Last of Us Part III Confirmed?
No. The Last of Us Part III is still unconfirmed. Druckmann did not use that title, say the projects are sequels, or describe either one as a video game. Calling this a Part III announcement would add details that are not in the interview.
The same limit applies to common guesses about a smaller character story, another remaster, an animated production, or a television spinoff. Any of those could fit the word “project,” but none has been confirmed by Naughty Dog in connection with this statement.
The canceled The Last of Us Online project is not evidence that multiplayer has returned. Naughty Dog previously ended that game, and neither the Post interview nor the current report says the unnamed work revives it.
There is no release window or platform information. No PlayStation generation, PC version, trailer, casting notice, store page, rating, or preorder has been announced for the unnamed projects.
How HBO Season 3 Fits In
HBO Season 3 is a separate confirmed production. Druckmann said the season will wrap up the story of the two released games. He also said he was not involved in shaping its creative direction and that Naughty Dog did not have a creative role in the season’s direction.
Because of that separation, his comments should not be read as a Season 3 update. He said he cannot personally speak to how production is progressing. The new information concerns Naughty Dog’s continuing stewardship of the wider franchise and its unnamed future work.
The interview also does not say whether the projects involve HBO or any other outside partner. Until a project is named, the safest description is simply that The Last of Us has more work underway beyond the currently announced television season.
Where Intergalactic Fits
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet remains Naughty Dog’s announced next game. Druckmann told the Post that lessons from television production have informed work on that science-fiction title. The interview does not connect Intergalactic to either unnamed The Last of Us project.
Knowing that Intergalactic is in production does not reveal the schedule for the franchise projects. Studios can develop several ideas at different stages, and an unnamed project can change or stop before it becomes a public release. Naughty Dog gave no order or timing for future announcements.
What to Watch for Next
The next real confirmation will be an official project name or format. After that, readers can look for a development team, partners, platforms, release window, and trailer. Until Naughty Dog supplies those details, Part III and every other specific theory remain speculation.
