Former The Last of Us developer teases yet-to-be-explored plot points which, if realised, will have major ramifications for the series
A former Naughty Dog developer has revealed an intriguing creative discussion with The Last of Us franchise creator Neil Druckmann that could significantly reshape the series’ future direction. Gabriel Betancourt, a former lighting artist at the studio, disclosed in a recent podcast interview that Druckmann mentioned the existence of multiple immune individuals within The Last of Us universe—not just the protagonist Ellie.
In the original The Last of Us, Ellie’s seemingly unique immunity to the Cordyceps infection serves as the central narrative pillar. Much of the game revolves around Joel escorting her across post-apocalyptic America to the Fireflies, who believe she is humanity’s only hope for a cure. This premise carries through to The Last of Us Part 2, where the consequences of Joel’s choice continue to define the story.
According to Betancourt’s account, Druckmann revealed the existence of what he described as a “congregation” or colony of other immune people that could be explored in future installments. This revelation opens substantial narrative possibilities for The Last of Us: Part 3 and beyond, fundamentally changing the stakes and scope of the franchise’s mythology. Rather than Ellie being humanity’s sole salvation, the existence of other immune individuals introduces new questions about immunity’s prevalence, origins, and potential for exploitation.
The disclosure comes amid broader activity around Naughty Dog, with the studio reportedly working on a new Uncharted game and the upcoming title Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. While the colony of immune people remains unexplored in official canon, Druckmann’s comments suggest it represents a deliberate creative choice, setting up potentially major plot threads for the franchise’s continued development.