The Last of Us Season 3: 2027 or Bust? HBO Boss Drops Hints (and Neil Druckmann Drops Out)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
HBO's planning *The Last of Us* Season 3 for 2027, but it might be the last we see of the series, especially with Neil Druckmann stepping back to focus on gaming and a shakeup with the lead actor. Sounds like they're either going big or going home!
Right, so the suits over at HBO are playing coy with the future of *The Last of Us* TV series. According to IGN South Africa, HBO's Casey Bloys has confirmed that Season 3 is "definitely planned" for 2027. That's a fair while to wait, isn't it?
But here's the kicker: it might also be the end. Dun dun duuuun! (Sound effect courtesy of my rusty kazoo).
Bloys is being all mysterious, refusing to confirm whether we'll get a Season 4 or if Season 3 will be one massive, epic send-off. He's leaving it up to showrunner Craig Mazin to figure out if it will be "two more seasons or one more long season." Talk about pressure, eh?
Now, about that lead actor shakeup. Pedro Pascal's Joel is (spoiler alert, but c'mon, it's been out for ages) no longer the focus, and Bella Ramsey's Ellie is taking a bit of a backseat too. Kaitlyn Dever's Abby is stepping into the spotlight. Will audiences embrace the change? Bloys seems confident, reckoning the show's title recognition (thanks, video game!) and the success of the first two seasons will carry it through. "I kind of appreciate shows that take things and do a show from a different point of view," he said. Fair enough.
But perhaps the biggest surprise is the departure of Neil Druckmann, the brains behind the original *The Last of Us* game, after Season 2. Apparently, he's off to focus on Naughty Dog's next project, *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet*. Which, if you ask me, sounds like a bloody awesome title. Bloys says Druckmann's got his hands full running Naughty Dog and creating video games, so it makes sense. "I believe he’s given us a good blueprint with the show. And obviously Craig is a pro, so I think we’ll be in excellent shape. I’m not worried at all," Bloys reassured us.
So, what does it all mean, eh? It looks like HBO's taking a bit of a gamble with Season 3. New lead, potential ending... It could be brilliant, or it could be a bit of a shambles. Only time will tell if it captures the magic of the first season, or if it goes completely off the rails. Either way, I'll be watching (probably through my fingers).
Tags: The Last of Us, HBO, Neil Druckmann, TV series, Gaming Adaptation
Original article: IGN South Africa