Troy Baker Needs Ashley Johnson in Naughty Dog’s Next Big Game!

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As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel intrigued by the enigma surrounding Naughty Dog’s future projects. For years, they’ve been delivering masterpieces like Uncharted and The Last of Us, with spin-offs, remakes, and adaptations following suit. Recently, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was unveiled, leaving me wondering if we’ll see more of Uncharted or The Last of Us in the meantime. Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann has been tight-lipped about The Last of Us lately, neither confirming nor denying anything, hinting that there might be undisclosed projects in development at the studio, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet excluded.

Prior to the official announcement of “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet“, it was revealed that Troy Baker would feature in a “Druckmann’s new project at Naughty Dog.” Given that Druckmann is both writer and director on the forthcoming sci-fi game, it stands to reason that Baker has been cast in “Intergalactic” rather than an unnamed future Naughty Dog production. Nonetheless, his involvement promises to be captivating, and it would also be thrilling if “Last of Us” co-star Ashley Johnson were to join him in the project.

The Last of Us Can’t Be the Last Naughty Dog Sees of Ashley Johnson

In The Last of Us, while Joel is the main character, Ellie becomes increasingly significant as the plot unfolds. Much like how Troy Baker’s gravelly voice defines Joel, Ashley Johnson embodies Ellie in a way that feels natural and indispensable to the storyline.

In the intense sequel to “The Last of Us”, it’s clear that Ellie has grown and moved, but the emotional depth shown by the actors in both games is strikingly consistent. This is particularly impressive given that Johnson portrayed a character who was 14 in the first part and 19 in the second. Since there might not be another “Last of Us” game to continue Ellie’s story, it would be a great shame if Naughty Dog didn’t cast Johnson for a role in their future projects like “Intergalactic”.

Furthermore, it’s highly probable that a third installment of “The Last of Us” series might mark the end of the franchise, given the significant uncertainty surrounding its plotline.

If Druckmann gets his preferred outcome, The Last of Us Part 3 would likely end on an open-ended note. However, given the uncertainty about whether the series could continue beyond HBO’s adaptation, it seems that Naughty Dog might be planning to fully commit to their new project, Intergalactic, and any potential work by Shaun Escayg—assuming the recent rumors are accurate. This could potentially create a role for Johnson in the future.

Why a Fresh Cast Might Be Best for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

There’s a strong possibility that Troy Baker might return as Samuel Drake in a future Uncharted game, given the recent rumors about a new Uncharted title being developed by Shaun Escayg (The Lost Legacy), and also considering his role in The Last of Us series. However, it appears less probable for a prequel focused on Joel and Tommy’s early days in the outbreak, due to some uncertainty regarding the franchise’s continued existence. Moreover, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is likely to introduce a new set of characters, as all of them are newcomers to Naughty Dog games.

Jordan A. Mun’s Tati Gabrielle is not new to Naughty Dog, having appeared in Sony’s Uncharted film and the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us. However, her leading role in Intergalactic will provide the game with a fresh edge, allowing it to break away from the iconic representations and performances that Naughty Dog has established in their past titles.

If Ashley Johnson is cast again shortly after her role in The Last of Us Part 2, listeners might find it hard not to associate her with Ellie. However, given her talent and the potential roles Naughty Dog has for her, it’s thrilling to speculate whether she could play a character in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, especially since there are rumors that Intergalactic is the next game Naughty Dog will release where Baker will appear.

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2025-04-01 20:36