The Last of Us Part 3: Story rumors, Naughty Dog leaks & more

There’s been a lot for The Last of Us fans to enjoy over the last few years from the Part 1 remake, Part 2 remaster, and HBO TV series but many are still keen to know about The Last of Us Part 3.

The Last of Us Part II emerged as one of the most eagerly awaited games of the past decade, following the immense success and praise garnered by its predecessor.

Ultimately some were unimpressed with the sequel’s story but many deemed it a worthwhile addition to the franchise. The follow-up saw Ellie seek revenge for Joels’ murder, and navigate her relationship with her girlfriend Dina.

The open-ended nature of the game left room for a sequel, and here are all the latest details we’ve got about The Last of Us Part 3 so far.

Naughty Dog

Ellie lets Abby (pictured) live in TLOU II’s emotional conclusion.

Is The Last of Us Part 3 happening?

In an interview on February 2, 2024, series creator Neil Druckmann confirmed that The Last of Us Part III will be made.

When discussing his thought process about making The Last of Us Part 3, Druckmann said that for years he had struggled to find a concept that would be a worthy follow-up to the first two games, “but recently that’s changed.”

Druckmann went on to explain that it was important that a third game maintain a “throughline” thematically to the first two games, but also feel like a new chapter to the series.

He concluded by saying “It does feel like there is one more chapter to the story.”

Rumors and leaks

In January 2023, the creator of Part 1, and creative director of Part II, Neil Druckmann, addressed the possibility of Part 3 during a Buzzfeed interview stating:

“Our process is the same thing we did when we did , which is if we can come up with a compelling story that has this universal message and statement about love — just like the first and second game did — then we will tell that story. If we can’t come up with something, we have a very strong ending with  and that will be the end.”

In April 2021, Neil Druckmann, Creative Director of Part II, officially confirmed that he has penned a story outline for a third game. However, it’s not in active development.

According to Oops Leaks, a credible leaker of information, Naughty Dog is actively working on several projects at the minute, including The Last of Us Part III: “The outline of the script is ready, but the studio is engrossed in the development of the aforementioned projects.”

Confirming what we already knew, however, they go on to say: “It is possible that development will begin faster than expected due to [the] studio’s expansion.”

It seems inevitable that a third game would pick up on Ellie’s story, perhaps revolving around her relationship with Dina. Abby’s involvement would not be guaranteed, but Ellie could yet change her mind over her merciful behavior at the end of Part II.

The very fact that Druckmann has taken the time to plot the third installment is very good news for the series’ fans. In fact, in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter ahead of the TV series’ premiere, Druckmann again teased that a third installment could be on the way.

Druckmann said “I think there’s more story to tell,” while also promising not to run into a Game of Thrones problem where the television show outpaces the source material.

He followed up his teasing comments in an interview with IGN in February 2023, in which he pledged to only make Part 3 if they’re able to pin down a “really good compelling story”.

As of December 2023, Tommy Miller voice actor Jeffrey Pierce spoke to Dexerto on the possibility of a third game: “At this point it’s not something that has begun in any fashion, at least, not that I know of, and I would hate to set myself up to have expectations about what it would be and then have it be something completely different.”

That’s everything we know about The Last of Us Part 3 so far. For more on the latest upcoming games, check out our hubs for Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Silent Hill 2, Tomb Raider 4, and Call of Duty Black Ops 6.