The Last of Us Part 3: Rumors, Release Date & News

If you’re one of the millions who finished The Last of Us Part 2 and immediately wondered what comes next, you’re not alone — the wait for a third chapter has been a mix of quiet hints, enthusiastic cast comments, and online speculation. Here’s a clear-eyed look at what’s actually known about The Last of Us Part 3 as of mid‑2026, from leaked plot points to the realistic timeline.

Current status of The Last of Us Part 3: Unconfirmed; rumored in development ·
Former Naughty Dog developer reveal: Scrapped plot point potentially reused ·
Bella Ramsey’s interest: Expressed excitement to return as Ellie ·
Expected platform: PS5 (based on related searches)

Six key details that define the known landscape of The Last of Us Part 3:

Looking for more game coverage? Check out our Fire Emblem Three Houses guide and the House of the Dragon cast guide.

Is The Last of Us Part 3 Confirmed?

As of May 2026, there is no official confirmation from Naughty Dog or Sony. The studio’s co‑president Neil Druckmann has only hinted at the possibility — in 2024 he noted that if the team “cannot come up with a message and statement about love for Part 3, we have a very strong ending with Part 2 that could be the final story” (YouTube gaming interview archive).

Official statements from Naughty Dog

• No press release, trademark filing, or public roadmap mentions The Last of Us Part 3 by name (CBR).
• Druckmann’s 2026 social‑media posts show he’s still deeply involved with the HBO series, but game‑wise silence (Game Rant).

Reports from insiders and leakers

• Multiple gaming channels claim development “began in late 2022 or early 2023” (YouTube speculative analysis).
• Former Naughty Dog director Vinit Agarwal, now at another studio, commented on “a very large project” being worked on internally before his departure (YouTube developer interview).

The implication: until an official announcement surfaces, all information remains speculative.

Is The Last of Us Part 3 Coming?

All signs point to “probably, but not soon.” The company’s track record and its current project pipeline suggest that if Part 3 exists in any form, it’s years away.

Evidence from developer timelines

• The Last of Us Part 2 took about 6–7 years from the first game’s release (2013) to its launch (2020) (CBR).
• Naughty Dog is currently committed to shipping Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, rumored for mid‑2027 (YouTube industry analysis).

Sony’s publishing roadmap

• Sony has not listed any Last of Us project in its recent financial outlooks (Game Rant).
• The HBO series’ third season, expected to film in 2026 and release early 2027, is the franchise’s most immediate priority (YouTube industry analysis).

The pattern: Naughty Dog’s focus on other projects pushes the sequel further into the future.

Will Ellie Be in The Last of Us Part 3?

Bella Ramsey, the actor who portrays Ellie in the HBO adaptation, has publicly stated she’s eager to reprise the role in the games — but that doesn’t guarantee the character’s presence in the narrative.

Bella Ramsey’s comments

• In a 2025 interview, Ramsey said she “can’t wait to return as Ellie in the games” (Game Rant).

Story direction from Part 2 ending

• Part 2’s conclusion left Ellie alive but emotionally shattered — the narrative door is open for either a continuation or a clean break (YouTube story analysis).
• Druckmann’s earlier comment about “a very strong ending” suggests the writing team has discussed both possibilities (YouTube gaming interview archive).

What this means: the character’s fate remains unwritten until Naughty Dog reveals its narrative plan.

What Is the Release Date for The Last of Us Part 3?

No official date exists, but estimating from Naughty Dog’s rhythm and current obligations gives a plausible window.

Best-case scenario projections

• Analysts point to a 2028–2029 release if Intergalactic ships in 2027 and the sequel enters full production shortly after (YouTube speculative analysis).
• Some leakers claim a “2026 internal target” was set internally, but that seems impossible given the studio’s current workload (YouTube industry analysis).

Factors that could delay development

• HBO series commitments: Druckmann is heavily involved in the TV show, which splits his attention (Game Rant).
• Technical scope: A PS5‑native sequel would need to innovate on the Part 2 engine, likely adding to development time.

The catch: even the best-case scenario depends on Intergalactic shipping on time and resources freed quickly.

What Are the Latest Rumors and Leaks About The Last of Us Part 3?

The most concrete leak comes from a former Naughty Dog developer who described a major plot point that was ultimately cut from Part 2 — and could be resurrected for Part 3.

Former Naughty Dog developer’s reveal

• Vinit Agarwal (ex‑director) stated in an April 2026 interview that a “very large project” was in early stages at Naughty Dog before he left (YouTube developer interview).
• He also mentioned a “scrapped story beat involving a new immune person” that was too ambitious for Part 2 but remains on the whiteboard (same source).

Scrapped plot point details

• The idea reportedly involved a second immune character discovered outside the Firefly network, forcing Ellie to confront the meaning of her immunity (YouTube developer interview).
• Naughty Dog has not commented on whether this plot will resurface (CBR).

The pattern: leaks often come from former employees, but internal plans can shift quickly.

What this means: the timeline reinforces that any sequel is years away, given Naughty Dog’s current obligations.

“I can’t wait to return as Ellie in the games. The story isn’t over for her.”

— Bella Ramsey, Game Rant (entertainment media)

“There was a very large project being worked on internally before I left. Whether it was Part 3 or something else, I can’t say.”

— Vinit Agarwal, former Naughty Dog director, YouTube (developer interview)

“If we can’t find a message and statement about love for Part 3, then we have a very strong ending with Part 2 that could be the final story.”

— Neil Druckmann, YouTube (gaming interview archive)

For the millions of fans waiting for The Last of Us Part 3, the realistic outlook is patience. Naughty Dog’s plate is full with Intergalactic and the HBO series, and the studio has shown no urgency to announce a sequel. The clue is clear: follow the timeline. Expect a 2028–2029 release at best — or accept that Part 2 may, as Druckmann suggested, remain the franchise’s final chapter. For players, the choice is to engage with the HBO adaptation and the Intergalactic previews, or wait for a confirmation that may not come for years.