‘The Last Of Us 2’ Release Date, News & Update: New Neil Druckmann Project Could Push Back Naughty Dog Sequel On Ellie, Joel?

"The Last Of Us 2" from developer Naughty Dog and creator Neil had almost felt within arm's reach after an easter egg in "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" was first discovered. With the "Uncharted 4" tease, the wait had somehow felt shortened among "The Last Of Us" fans waiting to continue the open ended story of Ellie (Ashley Johnson) and Joel (Troy Baker).

Parent Herald cites reports that "The Last Of Us 2" may not be bringing Ellie and Joel back an idyllic existence of sorts following the first "TLOU." Instead "The Last Of Us 2" could be a far darker story where Joel may have died in the hands of Ellie over their conflicting views on whether Ellie should have been allowed to sacrifice herself to further the Firefly organization research in "TLOU."

Another piece for my TLoU shrine. Thanks, @erickscarecrow. pic.twitter.com/WesVDjz6gM

— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) August 6, 2016

  Parent Herald further cites that "The Last Of Us 2" is going to bring darker, more terrifying deaths for Ellie and/or Joel. In "The Last Of Us," Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann opted to take the psychological rather than the graphic approach of dealing death to Ellie and Joel, but this is expected to get upgraded in "TOU" 2.

Our own @Neil_Druckmann talks storytelling in games with @GennHutchison (Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad). Listen: https://t.co/V6I8jNh8Ja — Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) July 29, 2016

Segment Next, however, cites an interview with The Frame on SCPR with Neil Druckmann on a new time travel project for "The Last Of Us" creator. The media outlet points out that Neil Druckmann did not disclose the medium for his new time travel IP, but if it is a plot for a new game, then could "The Last Of Us 2" be in danger of being pushed further back?

In the past, Neil Druckmann confirmed that he and Naughty Dog will be working on "The Last Of Us 2" once the "Uncharted 4" DLC for single player campaign is out of the way. However, Neil Druckman did say that the resurrection of work on "The Last Of Us 2" will have other dependencies as cited on Move Pilot.

"And then, once we have enough resources, resurrect all those prototypes; see where we're at, see where the teams at, what they're excited for and go from there," Neil Druckmann stated. Although worry is a tempting recourse, fans may probably take heart in seeing Neil Druckmann post a few items on social media on "TLOU" to indicate that "The Last Of Us 2" is at least on the creative director's mind right now.

At latest tally, Parent Herald projects "The Last Of Us 2" to see a release of 2018 or 2019. What kind of "The Last Of Us 2" would you like Neil Druckmann and Naughty Dog to develop?