Craig Mazin Confirms He Won’t Return for THE LAST OF US: PART 3, If It Even Happens

The Last of Us series on HBO has been a massive success, bringing one of gaming’s most emotionally charged stories to life for a wider audience.

But as fans look ahead to the adaptation of The Last of Us Part II, many are wondering if there will be a Part III? Will the show continue after the story of Part II is complete? And if it does, will the creative team stay on board?

According to showrunner Craig Mazin, the answer is a firm no, at least for him. While speaking with ComicBook, Mazin made it clear that once the adaptation of Part II is complete, he’s moving on.

“I will be done,” Mazin stated.

He elaborated, explaining just how demanding the job has been and why he has no plans to continue past the existing source material:

“This is a hard gig. My intention is to see this through to the end of the story as it currently exists. The source material that’s there, if we get the opportunity to do so, and I hope we do.

“And then, I’m going to be very excited to find whatever the next thing is. I’m committed to telling this story because I love it.”

Mazin’s exit doesn’t necessarily mean the show wouldn’t continue if a Last of Us Part III game ever materializes. But for now, even that remains uncertain.

Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann has repeatedly said there’s no Part III in development, and with the studio focusing on other projects, including a new sci-fi game, fans could be waiting a long time before anything changes. But, there are also reports it is in development.

If HBO does decide to move forward with new material in the future, Mazin says his role would be minimal:

“Is there more Last of Us? That primarily will sit with Neil [Druckmann] and Naughty Dog, and that’s their choice. If there are more stories to tell, I would love to be like a friend to the production.

“Happy to do whatever the easiest thing is, but to be the writer and director and a showrunner and all that, I think this one’s gonna be the one for me.”

So, if The Last of Us continues beyond a third game, it’ll be without Mazin at the helm of the series. HBO is currently planning for the series to run four seasons, with three of them dedicated to Part II.

That means there’s still plenty of story left to tell before we reach the finish line.