The Last Of Us Part 3 Ellie Replacement Leaves Fans Torn

Published Sep 12, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there.

Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers.

Since it began back in 2013, The Last of Us franchise has gone on to become a cultural phenomenon. Not only has it welcomed an equally successful sequel, The Last of Us Part II, too many remasters, and even an award-winning live-action television adaptation courtesy of HBO, but recent reports suggest that a third and final installment may be on the horizon from Naughty Dog.

In recent years, Naughty Dog head Neill Druckmann has provided fans with mixed messages when it comes to the potential of The Last of Us Part III. Despite initially claiming that "this could be it" in regard to The Last of Us Part II wrapping up the franchise, he later revealed that "there is probably one more chapter to the story" in a YouTube documentary back in 2024.

Now, in recent weeks, Druckmann has hit headlines once again after confirming that the studio is currently working on multiple projects which will begin development in earnest after the launch of its next IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

With the knowledge that we could be experiencing the next chapter in Ellie's story one day in the future, it is no surprise that fans of The Last of Us have been discussing what The Last of Us Part III could be. More specifically, fans have been speculating as to who our protagonist may be. Whilst we followed Joel in The Last of Us Part I, and switched between Ellie and Abby in The Last of Us Part II, we have received no clues as to who we will step into the shoes of in the next installment.

At the end of the second game, Ellie's story was left open-ended, leaving a third installment to wrap up her impossible journey. However, the same can be said for Abby, who is now joined by Lev, mirroring the relationship between Joel and Ellie. As such, this could form a full circle moment. Or, Naughty Dog could surprise us all once again, and introduce a brand-new protagonist. Perhaps Tommy or Dina?

For now, we can only speculate, but that has not stopped fans over on r/TheLastofUs2 from discussing the possibilities. When one user asked, "Would you prefer a TLOU3 with Abby as the protagonist, or a TLOU3 where Ellie dies in a similar way to Joel?" the comments soon came flooding in.

"I could see a third game where you play as JJ all grown up (maybe 16-18 years old, around Ellie’s mental age in the first game), but he has to track down Ellie for whatever reason, since she self-hermits after the second game," one user suggested. "Maybe it has to do with an illegitimate child of Joel’s coming to Jackson claiming to look for his dad. Maybe it’s Abby becoming the Firefly leader and the only one they know can stop Abby is Ellie, so he has to find her." Another said, "I would prefer Abby to be the protagonist. In fact, should TLOU III come back. I’d like it to be centered around Abby and her development."

With some even suggesting that they do not want a third installment, it seems as though Naughty Dog has a lot to prove when it comes to the potential of The Last of Us Part III. However, with the game still years from its potential launch, the studio has plenty of time to tell a story with sharing.

Systems