Just as The Last of Us fans were processing Neil Druckmann's statement about the possible absence of a new game, a surprising ray of hope emerged. Industry insider Daniel Richtman alleges that not only is the next installment already in production, but casting is complete and filming has begun for certain scenes.

Considering Naughty Dog's creative director's earlier ambiguous comments, these rumors could carry weight. For one, when Druckmann mentioned there would be "no next The Last of Us," he might have been referring to the already greenlit sequel. Additionally, he's employed similar phrasing before—like prior to Part II's official reveal. That said, Richtman's track record does include some questionable leaks.

One thing remains certain—conceptual work for a new installment exists. As for official announcements or updates, the studio may be prioritizing marketing focus for their forthcoming original IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.