HBO’sThe Last of Ushas lost one of its key showrunners before production on season 3 gets underway.
Neil Druckmann, the creator and writer ofThe Last of Usvideo game franchiseand studio head at Naughty Dog, has stepped away from HBO’s TV adaptation of his acclaimed video game series. Druckmann’s official statement to his Naughty Dog team was posted onNaughty Dog’s Instagramaccount.
What Neil Druckmann’s Absence Means For The Last Of Us Season 3
Druckmann Was Very Involved In The Creative Process Of Seasons 1 & 2
Neil Druckmann’s sudden exit from HBO’sThe Last of Usbetween seasons 2 and 3 is certainly shocking. As the original source of all thingsThe Last of Us, having written the first 2013 video game and directed its 2020 follow-up,Druckmann’s influence is undoubtedly felt across the first two seasonsof HBO’s adaptation.
Druckmann also directed two episodes of the HBO adaptation, season 1’s “Infected” and season 2’s “The Price,” both of which are considered to be two of the greatest episodes in the series. His co-creator,Craig Mazin ofChernobylacclaim, will presumably become the sole showrunnerof HBO’s third season ofThe Last of Us.
Druckmann lists the main reason for leaving HBO’s adaptation ofThe Last of Usis to give his full attention to the development of Naughty Dog’s upcoming video game epic,Intergalactic: The Heretic Project.
Druckmann lists the main reason for leaving HBO’s adaptation ofThe Last of Usis to give his full attention to the development of Naughty Dog’s upcoming video game epic,Intergalactic: The Heretic Project.The game, set for a 2027 release, will take place thousands of years in the futureand follows a bounty hunter who gets stranded on a distant planet.
Druckmann specifically noted that he decided to step back from his creative involvementin HBO’sThe Last of Usseason 3. This may indicate that he will retain his position as an executive producer on the Emmy-winning show. However, it now seems highly unlikely that he will return to write or direct any of season 3’s episodes.
Our Take On Druckmann Leaving HBO’s The Last Of Us
The Video Game Already Establishes A Narrative Blueprint For Season 3
The Last of Usseason 3 will continue to adapt the 2020 video gameThe Last of Us Part II, as told through the eyes of Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby character. Since the game provides a clear narrative of what is to unfold inThe Last of Usseason 3, Druckmann’s between-seasons exit is arguablyless drastic since a blueprint is already firmly established.
Fans have already begun to speculate that Druckmann’s exit has to do with reasons other than his responsibilities as Naughty Dog’s head of creative and studio head.The Last of Usseason 2 received just a 37% audience scoreonRotten Tomatoescompared to season 1’s 86%.
Neither HBO nor Mazin has responded publicly to Druckmann’s exit at the time of writing.The Last of Usseason 3 is still expected to begin filming in 2025 or early 2026.
