The Last of Us Players Divided on Part 3 Protagonist

It's been five whole years since The Last of Us Part II dropped and blew our collective minds, delivering some highly controversial emotional gut punches that changed everything for those invested in the story and game world.

Though every decision wasn't necessarily a win for everyone, it was undeniably a brilliant narrative game that delivered on the immense foundations laid out in the original. As such, it was little surprise that talk quickly turned to what comes next and the potential for a third game.

Unfortunately for fans, there was little to no official word from Naughty Dog on whether that was happening, and we're still waiting on confirmation that it's in development. Hope was kindled recently when studio head Neil Druckmann confirmed that their focus had switched away from the TV show and back towards games, though he fell short of confirming that a third game is on the way.

Despite that, fans have been discussing who they would like to play the protagonist in a theoretical third release, and there are a lot of great ideas out there.

Over on Reddit, one user put forward the idea that JJ, the adopted baby son of our usual protagonist Ellie, could step into the role if the next game jumps forward in time, and it's safe to say the community had opinions.

"The Last of Us is Ellie’s story at it’s centre. It highlight characters like Joel and Abby with gameplay and story, but the overarching plot is Ellie’s. I can see JJ coming back as part of the ensemble along with Tommy, Maria, Dina, Abby, and Lev, but the protagonist of TLOU3 should be Ellie," one said.

"No I don't want to see an old Ellie, broken by time. I just want her to find peace in the 3rd game, even if it means we don't get to play a lot of her," another added.

A third was a little more open to the idea, saying, "Depends on where they take the story. If there’s another 20 year time skip then maybe, but I see him more likely being part of an ensemble than a main protagonist."

Another was totally done with the narrative arc we have enjoyed so far, saying, "Honestly I'd prefer a whole new cast and setting, maybe in a different country. I personally think Ellie's story is kind of complete. I would like to see Abby and Lev again because their story just started but a whole new setting would imo be better. Just a complete fresh start for a third game, maybe even a fourth."

Whatever Naughty Dog does decide to do with the story, assuming it ever becomes a reality, the second game showed they are not afraid of making very bold decisions, so the third game could be even more groundbreaking if it carries through that momentum.