Naughty Dog confirms two new The Last of Us projects in early development

Studio head Neil Druckmann says the projects will expand the franchise's canon beyond the first two games, but details remain undisclosed.

Studio head Neil Druckmann says the projects will expand the franchise’s canon beyond the first two games, but details remain undisclosed.

Naughty Dog has confirmed that it is working on two new projects set within The Last of Us universe, although both remain in the very early stages of development and the studio has not yet revealed detailed information about either project.

The announcement was made by Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann on September 28, 2026, in a message marking the conclusion of The Last of Us Day 2026. Druckmann said the studio has continued discussing opportunities to explore additional stories within the franchise following the release of the Grounded II documentary.

According to Druckmann, Naughty Dog currently has a couple of very exciting new projects in development. He stressed that both projects are still at an early stage, meaning the studio is not yet ready to provide substantial details about what players can expect.

One of the key details confirmed by Naughty Dog is that the two projects will expand The Last of Us canon beyond the stories established in The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II. This suggests that the studio is looking at new material within the broader universe rather than simply revisiting the events already covered in the existing games.

However, Naughty Dog has not disclosed whether the two projects are full video games or other forms of media. Their official titles, characters, settings, gameplay details and potential release dates have also not been announced.

The confirmation also does not amount to an announcement of The Last of Us Part III. While Druckmann has previously indicated that Naughty Dog’s relationship with the franchise is not necessarily over, the latest update only confirms two projects that will expand the wider canon.

Druckmann also explained why the studio remains interested in returning to the world of The Last of Us. He said the franchise is deeply important to the team and that Naughty Dog would not return to it without having meaningful stories to tell.

The comments leave considerable uncertainty around the projects, with the studio expected to reveal additional information only when development progresses further.

Meanwhile, Naughty Dog has also provided an update regarding its next major title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The studio confirmed that it will maintain a relatively quiet approach for the remainder of 2026.

According to the update, Naughty Dog plans to provide a more comprehensive reveal of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet during 2027, including a closer look at the game’s science-fiction setting and adventure.

The studio’s latest announcements therefore point to two separate areas of development: the continued expansion of The Last of Us universe and preparations for a deeper presentation of its upcoming science-fiction title.

For fans of The Last of Us, the confirmation of two early-stage projects marks a significant update, but the absence of titles, platforms, characters and release windows means that many questions surrounding the future of the franchise remain unanswered.

For now, Naughty Dog has confirmed only that two new projects are being developed within The Last of Us universe, with further details expected at a later stage.