The Last of Usis about to get its second season, as HBO will officially bringThe Last of Us Part 2to life. Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic saga continues to be one of the most emotional franchises in gaming, andThe Last of Usfans are in for a harrowing time with the arrival of season two.Part 2was a divisive story, and some level of controversy is bound to be sparked again with the HBO series.
Whether one is an original fan of the games or only knowsThe Last of Usthrough the TV adaptation, season two is going to be a wild ride regardless.The outcome ofPart 2still brings up heated discussion, and it makes the prospect of aPart 3that much more nerve-wracking. It’s unclear what Naughty Dog has in store for gamers regarding moreThe Last of Uschapters, but HBO’s plans for the series may ultimately bring forth some answers.
HBO’s Ambitions For The Last of Us Could Pave the Way For Part 3
The Last of Us TV Show May Get Four Seasons
Speaking to Deadline, HBO executive Francesca Orsi reconfirmed thatThe Last of Usis likely to stretch over four seasons. Orsi isn’t the only person to hint at four seasons, either. Show writers Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have also recently made similar claims. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mazin said, “I think it’s pretty likely that our story will extend past a season 3. How far past? I can’t say. And that’s not to say that there are not other stories that could be told, but this story is the one that Neil and I are telling.” Druckmann states in the same interview, “We have a plan. We know what we need to do going forward, but we couldn’t tell you right now exactly how many episodes or how many seasons it would take to get there.”
It’s a compelling development, and one that raises a lot of questions. If the second season only detailsa portion ofPart 2, it makes one wonder what the stopping point for the season will be. Also, after a potential third season, it potentially implies that the story could go pastPart 2. It’s important to note that this would go directly against Druckmann’s previous claims. Back in 2023, he said to the Hollywood Reporter, “We have no plans to tell any stories beyond adapting the games.” However, Druckmann’s recent stance onPart 3may signal the franchise creator is pedaling back on his previous comments.
I think it’s pretty likely that our story will extend past a season 3. How far past? I can’t say.
Neil Druckmann’s Hints That Part 3 May Never Happen
In a recent interview with Variety, Druckmann said, “I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it,” when asked aboutPart 3. This was definitely a surprise for a lot of fans, since Druckmann once stated that he hada general idea forPart 3.
Kaitlyn Dever will be playing Abby in season 2 ofThe Last of Us.
Now that it seems as though he’s changing his stance on certain directions forThe Last of Us, it’s highly possible that a fourth season could be used to wrap upthe open-ended finale ofPart 2. This would be controversial, but it seems more likely than ever now. Alternatively, Druckmann could be misdirecting fans and aPart 3could be in the works. Assuming that HBO executive Orsi’s four-season claim holds up, and thatPart 2is told across seasons 3 and 4, fans could be in for a more linear and less complex game inPart 3. Like the first, it would be told in one season, suggesting that players may not be hopping between two characters this time around.
Only time will tell, of course, but there are now more questions than ever about what the future ofThe Last of Usholds. Now thatNaughty Dog has introduced a new IP withIntergalactic,The Last of Usmay have taken its final bow in gaming.
The Last of Us
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards. In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey. Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
