Unbelievable Reveal: Will Joel Return in The Last of Us Season 3?

by

Caution: Spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 7! The co-creators of The Last of Us, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, speak out on the potential inclusion of additional Joel (Pedro Pascal) flashbacks in season 3 and beyond. Although Joel was killed by Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) in season 2, episode 2, he reappeared throughout episode 6, which functioned as a bridge between seasons 1 and 2 through flashbacks. This episode included many of the flashbacks from the video game’s source material, The Last of Us Part II, suggesting that the remainder of the series will focus on different characters within The Last of Us universe.

ScreenRant attended the finale press conference for The Last of Us season 2, where a moderator inquired about future flashbacks featuring Joel. When asked about the possibility of delving into the 20-year gap from the series premiere, Druckmann expressed no immediate plans, including for Joel’s potential return. Yet, both Druckmann and Mazin left open the prospect of Joel reappearing in future episodes, even though there are currently no specific plans for his comeback. Here’s what Druckmann and Mazin shared during the conference:

Moderator: Let’s keep Joel on the spotlight for now, but don’t worry, Abby will be back in the limelight soon. Time X queries about an intriguing aspect of Joel’s past: the events that instilled fear in people, which took place between Sarah’s demise and his encounter with Ellie. Could there potentially be a season or show delving into these missing years?

Craig Mazin: Bin off! [LAUGHS]

Moderator: Who says no? [LAUGHS]

Craig Mazin: I know Neil recently [LAUGHS]… he’s not in next week.

Neil Druckmann: I believe it’s beneficial to keep certain aspects shrouded in mystery, allowing the audience to employ their creativity to complete the picture. However, we do occasionally delve into these mysteries when they become crucial for the narrative we are crafting.

here. So, I guess, never say never. I mean…

Craig Mazin: In essence, we ventured quite deep into depicting a moment from that particular time frame. So, I agree with Neil, we wouldn’t completely rule out returning. This season was challenging because it was heavily influenced by the traumatic event: Joel dies. After Joel’s death, the impact is so significant that we don’t have as much freedom to explore lesser storylines; instead, we need to focus on the consequences and events leading up to it. However, I think next season will offer more room for maneuver. We’re fond of taking detours, such as a trip to Indonesia, so perhaps in the future, we might delve into Joel and Tommy causing mischief across the landscape, but that remains to be seen.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I never anticipated crafting a tale centered around Joel’s father prior to writing the series. But here we are! Life is full of surprises, and sometimes, the unpredictable makes for the most compelling stories.

What Joel Not Coming Back Means For The Last Of Us

His Story With Ellie Has Already Come To A Close

Even though The Last of Us has a powerful impact, the second season concluded by suggesting that Joel’s (Caspar David) role in the series is no longer essential for the narrative to progress. The fact that Ellie (Bella Ramsey)‘s quest for vengeance remains fueled by his demise was further clarified through flashbacks shown in season 2, episode 6. However, as most of the significant flashback scenes have already been portrayed, the show lacks a compelling reason to persist with Joel. This is likely the reasoning behind the showrunners not having any imminent plans for his return.

The upcoming season of “The Last of Us” series will shift its focus, as confirmed, with season 3 centering around Abby’s activities in Seattle while Ellie was present. This change brings forth additional scenes based on the game, primarily exploring the new antagonist, which may diminish the need for Joel to reappear in a flashback scene. However, Druckmann and Mazin remain open to incorporating Joel, including original scenes, such as one depicting a young Joel conversing with his father, Javier (portrayed by Tony Dalton).

Our Take On Whether Joel Will Return In The Last Of Us

Season 2 Offered Fitting Bookends For His Character

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must express my thoughts about season 2, episode 6. The poignant flashbacks presented one last heartfelt glimpse into Joel and Ellie’s bond before the pivotal moments of the series unfolded. Their touching scene on the porch underscored the significance of her journey, while simultaneously providing a fitting goodbye for Joel’s character. Although there’s always a chance that The Last of Us could revisit their past in future flashbacks, the absence of immediate plans is understandable given the gravity and finality of his recent scenes.

All episodes of The Last of Us season 2 are now streaming on Max.

Read More

2025-05-26 14:58