In a new interview with Variety, Last of Us writer and director Neil Druckmann has apparently confirmed that there may not be another sequel, saying, "don't bet on there being more 'Last of Us.' This could be it." While not a total confirmation, Druckmann's statement indicates that a prospective The Last of Us Part 3 isn't likely, even after the launch of Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which was announced at the 2024 Game Awards.
The Last Of Us Part 3 Probably Isn't Happening, According To Neil Druckmann
Another TLOU Sequel Game Isn't Likely, Says Series Writer And Director
The statement is potentially a worrying one for TLOU fans who might have been holding out hope for a full trilogy - unfortunately, no further elaboration has been provided, as the Variety interview was mostly centered around the upcoming second season of the TV show. In the unlikely case that TLOU Part 3 does eventually happen, it would likely still be multiple years away from release, given that even Intergalactic currently lacks a set release window and probably won't come out in 2025.
The End Of TLOU Might Not Be A Bad Thing
It Might Be Better For TLOU To End On A High Note
Although TLOU Part 3 would probably be a successful game in its own right, it might be better that the series ends with Part 2. While the narrative of the second game was controversial for a number of reasons, Part 2 also ended on a very final note, and it's hard to see how another sequel would continue the story with the same characters and without retreading old ground. Stories, in any medium, that stretch on for too long often run the risk of losing their appeal and alienating their audiences - something that Part 2 arguably already did for some fans.
Source: Variety, Naughty Dog