Naughty Dog has finally confirmed that it is working on multiple new Last of Us projects, and the studio is being deliberately vague about what those projects actually are. In a new update on the company’s website, Neil Druckmann, the studio head and writer behind the series, said two new projects are in “very early stages,” and that both will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Parts I and II.
“We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages — so we can’t say much about them at this point.”
Druckmann added that the studio wouldn’t return to the world unless it had something meaningful to say, and that he believes these stories are worth telling. The announcement comes after years of fan speculation about whether a The Last of Us Part 3 is on the way.
Druckmann’s Update
Druckmann’s statement was posted alongside a note about the studio’s recent documentary, Grounded II, which aired in 2024. He said the team had talked about the possibility of telling more stories in the world since that release.
“We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages — so we can’t say much about them at this point,” he wrote. “I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II.”
The key phrase here is “projects.” Druckmann is not saying these are games. They could be games, but they could also be new transmedia collaborations. They could be films, TV shows, comics, or something else entirely.
What The Projects Could Be
The possibilities are wide open. Since HBO’s The Last of Us adaptation is set to wrap after season 3, it’s possible Naughty Dog is looking at ways of telling entirely new Last of Us stories strictly for film or streaming. Druckmann could be talking about a comic book for all we know, though it’s unlikely the studio would tease fans like this if that were the case.
The studio has not ruled out games, but it has also not confirmed them. The “very early stages” caveat means there is still a lot of room for the projects to change direction before anything is announced publicly.
The Cancelled Online Game
This news arrives in the shadow of a cancelled project. Fans were supposed to get at least one new Last of Us game this console generation, a multiplayer effort codenamed The Last of Us Online. That project was ultimately canceled in the home stretch over concerns about the need for post-launch support potentially monopolizing too much of Naughty Dog’s future development resources.
The cancellation was a disappointment for fans who wanted a new entry in the mainline series. Instead, the studio pivoted to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Why The Canon Matters
The canon expansion is a significant promise. The Last of Us franchise has a rich history, and the series has established a timeline that stretches across multiple games. Expanding beyond Parts I and II means telling stories that sit outside the main narrative of Joel and Ellie’s journey.
These could be prequel stories, side stories, or even stories set in the same world but following different characters. The possibilities are vast, and the fact that Druckmann is willing to commit to expanding the canon suggests the studio has ideas it wants to share.
What Happens Next
The timing is unclear. With the studio still focused on getting Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet out the door, it’s likely that fans won’t see what these new projects are for some time. The “very early stages” caveat means there is still a lot of work to be done before anything is ready for public eyes.
Naughty Dog has a history of being secretive about its projects, and this announcement follows that pattern. The studio is giving fans a hint of what’s coming, but it’s not giving away the whole meal.
The Announcement’s Context
Fans have been asking for a Part 3 for years. The PlayStation 5 generation has come and gone without a new mainline entry, and the announcement of these new projects will likely renew that hope. However, the fact that the projects are not necessarily games means that fans should temper their expectations.
The announcement is a positive sign, but it’s not a guarantee. The studio has made a commitment to expand the canon, and that commitment carries weight.
The Bottom Line
Naughty Dog is working on multiple new Last of Us projects, and both will expand the canon beyond Parts I and II. That is the core fact, and it’s a good one.
The projects could be games, but they could also be films, TV shows, or comics. The studio hasn’t said what they are yet, and it’s not clear when it will. For fans who have waited years for a new entry in the series, this is a glimmer of hope.
KEY FACTS BOX
– Announced projects: Two new Last of Us projects in “very early stages”
– Canon expansion: Both projects will expand the canon beyond Parts I and II
– Cancelled project: The Last of Us Online was canceled due to post-launch support concerns
– Current focus: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
– HBO series: Set to conclude after season 3
PULL QUOTE
“Both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II.” — Neil Druckmann
The announcement is a win for fans who have been waiting for more Last of Us. It’s a reminder that the world of The Last of Us means a great deal to the studio, and that the team is committed to telling meaningful stories within it.
Whether those stories arrive as games, films, or something else entirely, the promise of canon expansion is a good one. The wait continues, but the wait now has a purpose.
Source material: “Multiple Last Of Us Projects In ‘Early Stages’ That Will ‘Expand’ The Canon Beyond Part I And II,” Kotaku.
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