Naughty Dog Head Neil Druckmann to Step Away From HBOs The Last of Us TV Show to Focus on Games
The man who painted the post-apocalyptic masterpiece of “The Last of Us” is hanging up his infected-paintbrush, at least for now. Neil Druckmann, co-creator of the HBO sensation, is shifting gears. Forget clickers and cordyceps for a moment; Druckmann is blasting off. He’s trading fungal horror for interstellar saga, diving headfirst into “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” while steering Naughty Dog’s ship as studio head. After co-piloting two seasons of “The Last of Us” with Craig Mazin, concluding its latest seven-episode run this past May, Druckmann’s gaze is firmly set on the studio’s future – a future that appears to be written in the stars.
Neil Druckmann Departs The Last of Us Season 3
Neil Druckmann, the creative force behind HBO’s “The Last of Us,” is relinquishing his role as showrunner, Naughty Dog announced via X. Though instrumental in the series’ meteoric rise, having steered the ship as executive producer, writer, and director for the first two seasons, Druckmann will not return for season three. He described his departure as a “difficult” choice, leaving fans to speculate on the future direction of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic drama.
“The Last of Us” saga on HBO has been an incredible chapter, one that concludes for me now. With Season 2 wrapped and the horizon of Season 3 still distant, I’m seizing this moment to return fully to Naughty Dog. My compass points towards the thrilling unknown of our next game, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet,” where I’ll be both writing and directing. Add to that my ongoing roles as Studio Head and Head of Creative, and my creative energies are needed here. It’s time to chart a new course.
“Crafting this show, shoulder-to-shoulder, has been a dream realized. To collaborate with Craig Mazin as writer, director, and executive producer for these final seasons has been an absolute privilege. My heart swells with gratitude for the cast and crew; their passion and artistry breathed vibrant life intoThe Last of Us Part I, and now ignites our continued journey throughThe Last of Us Part II.”
Alongside Druckmann’s shift, another key player is exiting the stage: Haley Gross, co-writer ofThe Last of Us Part IIand a scribe for the show’s sophomore season. Gross announced her departure on Instagram Wednesday, hinting at an exciting “what comes next” that awaits beyond the infected landscapes.
“My time with ‘The Last of Us’ has come to a close, a bittersweet farewell to an experience that has profoundly shaped me. I’m stepping away from the daily grind to clear the runway for future adventures. Working with Neil, Craig, HBO, and the entire extraordinary cast and crew was nothing short of life-altering. The exploration of love, loss, and humanity amidst a terrifying landscape is precisely why I fell in love with this franchise. I’m buzzing with excitement for some seriously cool projects on the horizon, which I can’t wait to unveil. But for now, my deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who breathed life into Ellie and Joel’s world with such passion and dedication.”
The infected aren’t the only monsters in “The Last of Us,” and HBO isn’t shying away from that brutal truth. Season three is officially greenlit, plunging us into the dark heart of “The Last of Us Part II’s” back half. Prepare to see the world through Abby’s eyes (Kaitlyn Dever), the complex antagonist who irrevocably shattered the lives of Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in season two. This isn’t just about survival; it’s about reckoning.
Forget Clickers and crashed planes! Naughty Dog just dropped a cosmic bombshell at The Game Awards 2024: “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.” Prepare to trade scavenged shivs for starships in their boldest, most ambitious adventure yet.
Thanks for reading Naughty Dog Head Neil Druckmann to Step Away From HBOs The Last of Us TV Show to Focus on Games
