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Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of The Last of Us game series and former co-showrunner of the critically acclaimed HBO adaptation, walked away from the TV series earlier this year. The show was recently nominated for over 15 Emmy Awards, with a third season greenlit. Druckmann has finally revealed what prompted his return going back to Naughty Dog full-time.
In an interview with Variety, Druckmann said he was proud of the work that was accomplished on the show, but knew it was time to refocus on game development when the writers’ room was starting to come together for Season 3.
“I looked at what’s in front of me, what would the next season might look like, and with all the various Last of Us things I’m working on–not just the show. With all the various games I’m working on–the biggest one that takes up most of my time is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, our next big IP for Naughty Dog and PlayStation–it felt like I could better serve all of my responsibilities if I stayed at a higher level,” he said.
He went on to add how it was quite challenging to be as involved as a co-showrunner on Season 1 and Season 2, while running a studio and directing and writing.
“I really appreciated at Naughty Dog how many people stepped up while I was gone working on Season 2. Specifically, I spent quite a bit of effort on Episode 206–prepping it, writing it, directing it. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do that again. So I felt it around that period when we’re wrapping up all the press and really about to get started with earnest in Season 3, that was a good time to reassess everything.”
As for any involvement with Season 3, Druckmann said he’s more in line with “shepherding” the story, than getting outright involved with the day-to-day.
“As much as I miss getting into the weeds and working on the effects shots and giving script notes and really getting into the details of it, I’m trying to just shepherd it. My hope for Season 3, and what I’d like to, I think I can best contribute to it, is to make sure it’s as deeply faithful as Season 1 was,” he continued. “Because I feel like that is the gold standard for this kind of adaptation, while enjoying all these beautiful expansions that happen naturally with the rest of the team and how they’re working on Season 3. So that is where my involvement will stay is at that very, very high level.”
Speaking of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the game still doesn’t have a firm release date, but there’s already been some interest from Hollywood about an adaptation.
