“A few more stops ahead”: Neil Druckmann shares early The Last of Us concepts — and hints at a continuation

Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, has shared on social media early sketches of characters that would later become Joel and Ellie. The drawings date back to 2003, when Druckmann was a student at Carnegie Mellon University and was pitching a game about a man, his adopted daughter, and a journey across a broken America. At that time, The Last of Us was still ten years away.

It’s that final line that set the fandom on fire. Fans interpreted the “stops ahead” as a subtle hint at The Last of Us Part III. Druckmann has previously said he has a concept for a third installment — “as compelling as the first two” — but has never officially announced it.

Right now, Naughty Dog is working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new project led by Druckmann and announced at The Game Awards 2024. The studio is actively bringing in actors who have previously collaborated with him, as well as major stars.

The franchise itself has expanded into a broader media universe: the HBO series has been running since 2023, with a third season already in production — though without Druckmann as co-producer. He stepped away from the show before work began on season three, which may indicate a stronger focus on game development, including upcoming releases.

What do you think — are those “few more stops” a hint at Part III, or just nostalgia?