THE LAST OF US PART III? Neil Druckmann’s Cryptic Post Has Fans Spiraling
If you thought the conversation around The Last of Us Part 3 had cooled off, think again. A new tease from Neil Druckmann has fans back in full speculation mode, and it doesn’t take much reading between the lines to see why people are getting excited.
It all started with a nostalgic Instagram post that feels like more than just a look back.
Druckmann, the co-creator of The Last of Us, shared some early concept sketches from 2003. The drawings show a rough version of what would eventually become Joel and Ellie’s journey. A man escorting a young girl across a fractured America. Even in its earliest form, the DNA is unmistakable.
Alongside the images, he wrote:
"Cleaning out the garage today and stumbled on my original sketches from 2003 for a game pitch about a man, his surrogate daughter, and a trek across a broken America. Been a wild journey. Grateful for every part of it, especially the few stops that remain on the road ahead."
Yeah… that last part, “the few stops that remain on the road ahead” has instantly become fuel for fans who already believe The Last of Us Part 3 is inevitable. It doesn’t sound like someone wrapping things up, it sounds like someone hinting there’s still more story left to tell.
Of course, context matters. It’s been six years since The Last of Us Part II dropped, and during that time, Druckmann hasn’t exactly committed to continuing the series.
In fact, back in May 2025, he suggested people shouldn’t count on another installment anytime soon while Naughty Dog focused on its next project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
So what changed? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.
Even with a relatively clean ending in Part II, the idea of a third chapter has always lingered. Naughty Dog has a habit of building trilogies. Just look at Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Uncharted. There’s also the massive success of the HBO adaptation, which only increases demand for more story in this world.
Fans definitely picked up on the tease right away. To be clear, there’s still no official announcement. This isn’t confirmation. It’s a vibe. But it’s a strong one.
Beyond the speculation, the sketches themselves are a cool reminder of how far the series has come. The early version of the protagonist looks rougher, almost like an action-heavy survivor with a torch in hand.
Another image shows a more refined, older version wearing a shirt and tie, with the girl now a teenager. It’s fascinating to see the evolution before Naughty Dog shifted toward the cinematic storytelling style they later perfected with Uncharted.
Whatever happens next, one thing’s certain. If The Last of Us does continue, it’s probably going to hurt. That’s kind of the deal with this series.